ENG2601 PORTFOLIO EXAMINATION 2024
ALL ANSWERS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE DOCUMENT
A 90% PASS IS GUARANTEED
Analysis of "South Africa's massive reading problem"
Luke Fraser's article "South Africa's massive reading problem" is a journalistic piece
that aims to inform readers about the critical state of reading literacy in South Africa,
particularly among Grade 4 learners. The text employs a structured approach,
statistical evidence, and a matter-of-fact tone to convey its message effectively. This
essay will analyse the structure, audience, tone, and style of the text to prove how the
writer's purpose of informing and potentially persuading the reader is achieved.
Structure
The article follows a clear and logical structure that enhances its readability and
impact. It begins with a striking headline that at once captures the reader's attention by
highlighting the severity of the issue: "South Africa's massive reading problem." This is
followed by a succinct introduction that presents the most alarming statistic - 81% of
Grade 4 learners in South Africa are incapable of reading for meaning.
The body of the article is organised into several distinct sections, each addressing
various aspects of the problem:
- The results of the PIRLS 2021 study, comparing South Africa to other countries
- breakdown of performance by language and province within South Africa
- Detailed statistics on reading benchmarks
- The broader context of South Africa's education system
- Factors contributing to the deficient performance, including teacher competence and
corruption
The article concludes by referencing a related scandal and the government's response,
leaving the reader with a sense of the ongoing challenges and lack of effective action.
Audience
The text is aimed at an educated, adult audience with an interest in social issues,
education, or South African affairs. This can be inferred from several aspects of the
article:
ALL ANSWERS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE DOCUMENT
A 90% PASS IS GUARANTEED
Analysis of "South Africa's massive reading problem"
Luke Fraser's article "South Africa's massive reading problem" is a journalistic piece
that aims to inform readers about the critical state of reading literacy in South Africa,
particularly among Grade 4 learners. The text employs a structured approach,
statistical evidence, and a matter-of-fact tone to convey its message effectively. This
essay will analyse the structure, audience, tone, and style of the text to prove how the
writer's purpose of informing and potentially persuading the reader is achieved.
Structure
The article follows a clear and logical structure that enhances its readability and
impact. It begins with a striking headline that at once captures the reader's attention by
highlighting the severity of the issue: "South Africa's massive reading problem." This is
followed by a succinct introduction that presents the most alarming statistic - 81% of
Grade 4 learners in South Africa are incapable of reading for meaning.
The body of the article is organised into several distinct sections, each addressing
various aspects of the problem:
- The results of the PIRLS 2021 study, comparing South Africa to other countries
- breakdown of performance by language and province within South Africa
- Detailed statistics on reading benchmarks
- The broader context of South Africa's education system
- Factors contributing to the deficient performance, including teacher competence and
corruption
The article concludes by referencing a related scandal and the government's response,
leaving the reader with a sense of the ongoing challenges and lack of effective action.
Audience
The text is aimed at an educated, adult audience with an interest in social issues,
education, or South African affairs. This can be inferred from several aspects of the
article:
