Choose Three Pieces of Text and Compare the Different Ways in which the Writers use Food
... 1730 from which I have extracted a small amount to compare with two other pieces of writing that similarly use food to persuade their readers of their ideas. ... All three pieces, adopt a plethora of linguistic and literary techniques in an effort to persuade their readers of their ideas, and they do so in very extreme and deeply critical ways as a form of rhetoric. Food is used as an aspect of our everyday lives, society and culture to address what the writers see as growing problems of the time and thus encourage their readers to act accordingly. ... The main purpose of this text was to sway both ‘publick’ opinion and persuade the government to solve the sufferings of the poor in a practical way. ... He aims to encourage them into leading a healthier life through generating a distinct food culture in Britain and also into discussing the article with people of similar political beliefs, the Guardian being a left-wing newspaper. ... Her readership would, then, be generally female but the text also addresses British and European culture as a whole to try and overcome prejudices concerning differences in culture, in lifestyle, and to encourage harmony amongst all cultures. This is the only literary piece of writing, however all three hold political attitudes toward their texts which arouse a sense of journalism about them as they try to persuade their readers to think about food in different contexts. The underlying themes are very similar in each of these pieces, although their approaches vary. ... Fort’s use of formality however is different in that he uses multiple registers to target his educated audience who will also be capable of articulating themselves in this way. ... Also, he heightens his register to promote his authority and knowledge above that of ‘multiple food retailers’ (like Tesco’s). This questions the relevancy of his opposition by using their research to support his ideas; naming them as the cause of a loss of ‘food culture’ in Britain. There is also a sense of ‘tabloidism’ about it (possibly due to it’s inclusion in the supplement of the broadsheet paper, and not the newspaper itself) and an almost pop culture register targeting ‘British consumers’; he incorporates the use of fillers, hedges and other collocations (‘OK, so…’, ‘some kind of’) which give a sense of light-heartedness, subtlety and build personal rapport so readers feel at comfort with the idea of revolutionising the way they eat. ... Thomas also uses this effect, however she has written a story including two characters who provide a conflict, and she uses different registers to reinforce that although ‘we (from different cultures) have a difference between us… what does that difference matter?’ The narrator stereotypically describes the other character as her ‘white-Scottish-British-army-friend’; he speaks with a sophisticated lexis to represent more superior and right-wing ideologies in relation to tolerating different cultures (much like Swift’s use of register to distinguish and represent a social group), which would repel a left-wing readership. ... Her use of such a register creates a friendly and trusting person with whom the readers build a relationship with as they learn of her lifestyle and family background; she also offers truthful opinions about her food preferences such as ‘BROWN-STEW LAMB CHOPS’, which she found ‘quite satisfactory… yea, even welcome’. Similarly, Fort’s use of colloquial language also provides a sense of honesty and sincerity for the reader that enhances authenticity over large food corporations. ... Specific registers are used in all three pieces to manipulate the readers’ interpretations of the texts, and hence assist in making each one an effective piece of persuasive writing.