Language Analysis

Persuasion through media texts, newspapers, films, TV news and the radio can be very effective, but is it the effect that was intended? The article, 'State can ban fatty choices, but teens will just vote with their feed,' the editorial, 'Junking the fatty foods,' as well as the cartoon, 'Expelled,' all reflect the society in which we live in that is concerned about the health of its children. With one in four children either obese or overweight, now is surely the time to act in order to stop this

Epidemic from escalating any further than it already has.

In the article 'State can ban fatty choices, but teens will just vote with their feed,' the tone seems to be quite cynical yet matter-of-factly as if the information is of common-sense and the people reading should already know the result of the implementation of such a ban. '"We've got McDonald's 20 metres down the road. Where do you think the kids are going to go?"' Also alluding to this is the idea that you only eat healthy if you want to lose weight. '"I'd love it if they brought in the bans," he said. His reasons for packing his own healthy alternative? "I'm trying to lose weight."' The effect of McKenzie's writing really pulls you in and convinces you of its contention - the use of actual figures such as '...one in four children are overweight or obese...' really adds to the persuasive effect of this article.

The editorial from the Herald Sun, 'Junking the fatty foods,' displays a much rougher tone than the previous article, already having used some hard-hitting strong language by the third word. It almost ridicules the children who could be in such a situation. '"...expanding waistlines..."' '"...weighty concern..."' and '"Ballooning obesity..."' really give the reader an image of the effect of unhealthy eating in our society. The use of illnesses that can be a result of being overweight or obese also adds to the effect of the article, a kind of intimidation, warning you to stay away from unhealthy foods. Although, this editorial exaggerates its statistics by saying that almost one third of children are overweight, when that number is actually closer to one in four. This is used as a ploy to make this issue seem even more serious than it already is, in an attempt