Examining authorial context and narrative viewpoints
Description
A series of quiz-style tasks to help learners develop a deeper understanding of how authorial context and narrative viewpoint affect the way writers present information to readers.
In the two accounts,of the accident given in the extract from Touching the Void, Joe and Simon demonstrate very different points of view on the situation that they find themselves in when it becomes clear that Joe has broken his leg.
Complete the diagram below by dragging and dropping the correct comments on the ways in which Joe and Simon’s use of language, viewpoint and perspective and attitudes towards the events differ.
Read the opening paragraphs from Ellen MacArthur's autobiography, Taking on the world and then complete the PEE paragraphs below to explain what we learn about her as a person through her use of language by choosing from the drop-down menus.
From the opening two paragraphs we get the impression that McArthur is [blank_start]only too aware of the dangers[blank_end] she will face when she climbs the mast to repair the sail. We see this when she tells us that '. . . though I would be wearing a helmet it would not be difficult to break bones up there. . . '. Clearly she is taking [blank_start]all the precautions she can[blank_end] in order to [blank_start]stay safe[blank_end] but she recognises that [blank_start]she is still at risk of serious injury.[blank_end] This indicates to us that she is [blank_start]not some reckless adventurer,[blank_end] doing it [blank_start]for the thrill of an adrenaline rush[blank_end]. She comes across as very [blank_start]sensible and thoughtful[blank_end], only taking [blank_start]necessary[blank_end] risks and then, only [blank_start]after careful consideration and[blank_end] planning.
This impression of McArthur as [blank_start]sensible and careful[blank_end] is established in the very first paragraph where she informs us that she 'had worked through the night preparing for it. . . '. Here we get the impression that she is [blank_start]meticulous[blank_end] in her planning, trying to [blank_start]account for every eventuality[blank_end] but realising that she can [blank_start]only do so much[blank_end]; ultimately she is at the mercy of [blank_start]the elements[blank_end] once she has climbed the mast.
Her awareness of the dangers she faces creates a [blank_start]tense[blank_end] atmosphere that [blank_start]grips the reader's attention[blank_end] as we are encouraged to share her feelings of [blank_start]fearful anticipation[blank_end] through comments such as 'the most dangerous thing apart from falling off is to be thrown against the mast,' which make the reader almost [blank_start]hold their breath[blank_end] in anticipation of what will happen. In this way McArthur presents herself as [blank_start]an ordinary person[blank_end]; she does not [blank_start]arrogantly exaggerate[blank_end] her skill and experience as a sailor, instead she presents the situation in a way that the reader [blank_start]can relate[blank_end] to and [blank_start]imagine themselves[blank_end] in her position.