A comparison of the magazine articles by John Pilger Essay

A comparison of the magazine articles by John Pilger and Tony Parsons, analysing the way they appeal to different audiences and the effect of the language on behaviour and opinion. John Pilgeri s article ‘The Man With No Namei appeared in the ‘New Statesmeni in June 1991. The magazine is left wing, and aimed at the middle and upper classes of society. I believe that Pilgeri s article is suited for reader of a higher intellect, and is perfect for the ‘New Statesmeni. The magazine promotes its ideas in such a way that one tends to think that it is reliable source of information. Tony Parsonsi article ‘Beggars Of Britaini appeared in ‘Arenai in October 1991. The magazine is aimed at young people probably in their teens or twenties. I believe that Parsonsi article is suitable for my own age group, which is of the age fifteen to twenty years old. The magazine itself is glossy and full of text and pictures that blend in. It would have been helpful if the articles provided were in there original form. Graphics are generally very useful for promoting a idea, in addition to the written language. ‘Arenai may well provide graphics but since I have not seen a original copy and nor is there one in my local newsagents I am unable to discuss the articlei s fully. The ‘New Statesmeni does not have the style of graphics that is present in ‘Arenai. It is considered as a more formal magazine and depends much less on sensation compared with ‘Arenai. Text for some is difficult to analyse whereas if it is accompanies with illustrations, it sets the tone of the article. Language with gimmicks is fine for all but new statesmen generally promote more depth in thought without the â€Å"extras†. One could compare arena and the new statesman with a story that one might either see on television or hear on the radio. The television and pictures and illustrations set the scene the scene for the mind to analyse. The radio and the new statesmen just use text. The mind has to provide its own imagery and in some ways I believe this is better and fairer. The examiner has provided the two articles in exact same font and style. I am not convinced that this makes a fair comparison between the two magazines. We can judge language and readability but possibly not impact on the reader. The tone of both articles is rather personal because in ‘Beggars Of Britaini Tony Parsons uses much offensive personal writing, while John Pilger writes about his personal story. Both articles are emotional in more ways then one. Pilger is emotional in the way he talks about his friendship with the homeless man. Parsons on the other hand hurls abuse at the way beggars get their money and how they appeal to most peoples sympathetic side. â€Å"†¦ And gypsy beggars who try to stuff a ratty flower into your buttonhole with some sentimental line – ‘for the children coos some obese hag† Pilger talks about making a friendship with this homeless man. Parsons shows his personal view on the matter of beggars. Parsonsi article is colloquial because he seems to be talking directly to you with streetwise language. â€Å"†¦. hey-you-guys-letis-catch-crabs† Pilger is somewhat more formal in his approach. † I have seen him nodding as if he is in silent discussion with himself† Both articles are written in first person. Both articles are addressed directly to the reader. This creates an individual effect, as if the writer is writing directly to you. This makes you be more involved in the article, rather the normal news, report the facts and doni t report emotionally. Parsoni s article is written from the writeri s point of view you either agree, or disagree. While Pilger talks about his friendship with a homeless man. Parsonsiarticle was published in ‘Arenai , a magazine aimed at a younger audience and it shows the whole structure and language is different. Most young people have short attention spans but in Parsonsi his article brings up the subject of beggars straight away, with strong obscene language making people read the article. â€Å"†¦ been happier for us to sleep in a shoebox full of shit†This is effective for young people with short attention spans. As I said earlier in the essay ‘Arenai is aimed at the younger generation. Pilgeri s article was published in ‘New Statesmeni a magazine aimed at middle and upper classes. Pilger writes a touching story of a build up of a relationship with a homeless man, ‘The Man With No Namei. Pilger builds up his article with a story and telling the reader the facts. The reader learns about the plight of the homeless people while telling the story of a typical homeless man. â€Å"My friend is typical in that he bears the familiar scars of the homelessness† The article is aimed at the more mature reader, who would be touched by Pilgeri s generous nature, and the predicament of the homeless man. So this is perfectly in place in the ‘New Statesmeni mature readers to read a mature article. Both articles use Standard English. I regard â€Å"Beggars of Britain† use of English really standard. While â€Å"The Man With No Name† is high Standard English. With but a few complicating words for a teenage reader. â€Å"such as a furtiveness† â€Å"sporadic, shallow joviality† Some of these words are considerably complex for an immature reader. The target audience for both publications is perfectly suited in their respective magazines. Parsons writes for a younger audience and writes just how the younger audiences like it. While Pilger writes for a matured audience and the audience like the way it is written. Both article style and structure are catered for different audiences. Pilgeri s article oozes aged style for â€Å"New Statesmen† audience. His story was a touching emotional parable, a parable which makes the reader think differently about the subject of homelessness. Parsonsi article has a different type of style a more risqui style; the younger audience may start to show malevolence towards beggars the same type that Parsonsi shares. â€Å"These people disgusted me† Both journalists are highly literate, but I think Parsonsi article does not do him justice. I imagine that Parsonsi article was not written for it high literacy level, but written by Parsonsi passion. His hatred of beggars dictated this article. Pilgeri s article was delicately written and written excellently. The story was written with the right balance of everything fifty- percent story and fifty- percent facts. â€Å"He had his usual tweed jacket and was leaning against the hedge† This extract from Pilgeri s article is a story paragraph. â€Å"With maximum publicity, the government allocated three hundred million for ‘rough sleepersi † This extract from Pilgeri s article is a fact paragraph. Parsonsi article is mostly abuse towards beggars, although he does feel genuine sympathy towards the real beggars. â€Å"In Africa you see beggars with deformed legs crawling, literally crawling† â€Å"Begging defaces the city, degrades the spirit† Parsonsi article is mostly just his private opinion on beggars rather then a serious article. Both articles were written in ninety ninety-one. Both and articles were respectively published in ‘Arenai and ‘New Statesmani. The conservative government was in power at the time, and Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister. Both writers were against the conservative government, and blamed the government for homelessness and begging. â€Å"Thatcher government stopped council spending on housing more then ten years ago. † â€Å"Liberals blame the fall of the begging taboo on the let-the-bloody-orphans-take-care-of-themselves ethics of Thatcherism† These articles are still relevant to the year two thousand because both problems are still around. Begging has made a lot of headlines quite recently because there has been quite a few people who have been falsely begging, when they can easily live a prosperous life and have been accused of preying on the British peoplei s generosity.