English Homework 26.8.12

1. How effective is the headline?

The Title is effective as you don’t know its about the Dixie chicks so when the word ‘Chicks is in the title which is not a common word used in articles, It really draws you in. Also the fact that is sounds like they are physically going to be hurt, this also draws you in.

 2. The journalist has chosen not to include an extensive byline. Do you think this is a good decision? Explain your answer.

I think that this is a good idea because of the type of article it is and where it is, because it is an internet article

3. How does the introductory paragraph help your understanding of what the article will be about?

Because it explains about Natalie Maines and who she is and really gives you an idea of who she is and what her personality is. It also gives you an idea of what she said and did and that gives you a good idea of what the article is going to be about.

 4. What kind of tone do you think the journalist is trying to achieve? Provide examples to explain your answer.

I think the kind of tone the journalist is trying to achieve is a serious one but at the same time a neutral one as he/she does not want to get into the middle of things.

5. What do you think the journalist's purpose was in writing this article? Provide examples to help prove your answer.

I think the journalist wrote this article to shed some light on the situation and to show that Natalie Maines is a very strong willed and confident person. The journalist write “Natalie Maines is one of those people born middle finger first.”.

6. The journalist makes considerable use of direct quotations throughout the article. How does this affect your understanding of the article and influence your opinion of the band members? Use evidence to support your claims.

By using lots of direct quotations, your opinion on the band members is developed, "I apologized for disrespecting the office of the President," says Maines. "But I don't feel that way anymore. I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever." This lets the readers form an opinion On Natalie that she is very strong willed and confident in what she says and does not really mind what the consequences are if she believes in what she is standing up for.

7. How effective do you think this article is in achieving the journalist's purpose? Explain your answer in full please.

I think the article is extremely effective in achieving the journalists purpose because it is a strong article that shows the reader what really happened and sheds light on the situation and what the two sides were to the story.

·      Subject Matter

What event, situation, or experience does the poem describe or record?

The event/situation/experience that the song describes is about the things that Natalie Maines said to/about the president (George W Bush) and the backlash that was caused but those comments she made.

·      Purpose

Also means the message of the poet, what is the poet’s purpose in writing this, what message does he/she want to communicate?

The Message that the Dixie Chicks are diplaying in their song, is that they are mad and they don’t believe that they should have to say sorry for something they stood up for and that it was something that they believed was right

·      Emotion

Also means mood, what is the predominant emotion/feeling/mood of the poem?, does the mood change during the poem?, what emotions or feelings does the poet seem to bring out in the reader?

The moods shown in the song are angry, hurt and lost, these moods change throughout the song, at the beginning the mood is more angry and lost then it moves to sad and angry but the overall feeling is angry.

·      Craftsmanship (see SLIMS)

·      Structure

how is the poem structured?, Does it have a conventional structure such as a sonnet, or an ode?, Does it have stanzas with a regular number of lines, or any other interesting features of structural design?

The song is structured into verses, choruses, instrumentals etc.

·      Language

Is the language appropriate to the subject and/or theme?, what effect does the language have on the poem’s achievement?

The language is appropriate for the subject and theme as it helps to show the mood and the message throughout the song.

·      Imagery

Are there any striking examples of similes, metaphors, personifications or symbols in the poem?, What is their effect?

An example of a metaphor and a simile is “I made my bed and I sleep like a baby”. The effect is that its shows the viewers that she is glad she said what she said because she can go to sleep and know that she has done the right thing and she “sleeps like a baby”

·      Movement

Does the poem have any significant sound features?, is it musical?

This poem is a song so it is musical and has many musical features including solos from different instruments.

·      Sound

Does the poet use onomatopoeia, alliterations or assonance?, Does the poem rhyme?, What are the effects of these features of sound on the achievement of the poem?

The song does rhyme in a few lines including the lines:

“I probably wouldn’t if I could

‘Cause I’m mad as hell

Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should” (could and should)

However the song overall does not rhyme that much.

·      Summary

What is the impact of the whole poem for you?, How successful is it as a work of art?, Does it successfully achieve the poets purpose?

The impact of this whole song for me is a very strong impact and is extremely successful in getting the message across to all the viewers. The song and the music video are both very successful at being works of art as the images and themes shown in the music video are very good at showing a message of anger and in the song the lyrics don’t hold back in terms of getting the message across. The song, I believe, successfully achieves the poets purpose.