Pamela G
Student No:
Unique No: 641921
ENG2601 ASSIGNMENT 1
QUESTION ONE: Persuasion and Language
This text, which is based on an online article published by fast company, can be seen as a
persuasive news article intended to influence the reader about the aftermath we may face due
to the COVID-19 pandemic. The target audience of this article is not only for the general
public of South Africa but for all adults who are interested in current socio-economic
dealings. As you can tell be the title of the article “What will the world look like post Covid-
19?’, clearly aims towards an international audience. The writer uses an assortment of
linguistic features throughout the text to help the reader understand what the writer is trying
to say. The writer uses techniques such as cohesion, word choice, metaphors and idiomatic
expressions to articulate the purpose of the article.
Firstly, the title of the text „What will the world look like post Covid-19? Here’s some
predictions’ is written in bold and italics to possibly attract the reader‟s attention while also
revealing the intention of the writer. The choice of words in the title, „what will the world
look like‟, shows the importance of what is at stake for earth. The context of the article is set
in the title, as it refers to current socio-economic and environmental issues that everyone is
concerned with and curious about.
The writer makes use of linguistic features such as registers to hint towards the context of the
text. The register of the text can be seen as informal, but still aimed at an educated audience.
The writer‟s choice of words „butterfly effect‟ , „unpredictable consequences‟, „economic
nosedive‟, „aviation‟, „eurozone‟ and „mutualized debt scheme‟, all contribute to making the
text seem more sophisticated in tone. Moreover, it can be said that there is a certain register
associated with natural disasters, words such as „unpredictable‟, „tornado‟, „earthquake‟,
„aftershocks‟, „lightening‟ and „collapse‟ which are often used when discussing natural
disasters, insinuating that the Corona Virus is as serious and will have the same impact on our
economy as a natural disaster would. These words belong to the same semantic field and it is
used by the writer to generate collocation cohesion in the text. Collocation cohesion is used to
aid in the coherence and cohesiveness of the text to express the point of the text.
Furthermore, the writer uses metaphors and similes to further explain the depth and meaning
of the text. The writer‟s clever use of the metaphor, “An insect flaps its wings and, weeks
later, causes a tornado”, emphasizes how one small action can later cause an intense
downfall, thus leading to a negative ripple effect. The writer also goes on to compare the
virus to an even worse disaster, an earthquake: “The corona virus is more like an earthquake,
with aftershocks that will permanently reshape the world”. This simple, yet well written line
, is enough to persuade the reader into thinking that the world post COVID-19 could be
completely different compared to the world we live in today. In addition, the writer makes
use of modals and cohesion to show the purpose and meaning in the text. The use of the
modal verb „it would be wise to project what new direction civilization will take‟ conveys the
idea that citizens should probably have an understanding of what is to come at a later stage so
that they can plan ahead for it.
The use of the imagery illustrates our global economy, indicating that the aftermath of
COVID-19 does affect everyone worldwide, but it may not be the environment in itself that
will be affected; rather businesses, households and governments will be forced to face these
“aftershocks”.
In conclusion, the writer, through the use of cohesive devices, register, diction and other
linguistic features, has been able to persuade the reader into accepting their point of view.
The writer‟s use of casual register along with the current events gives the article context. The
purpose of the article was to inform the general public about where we all could end up post
COVID-19. The writer influences the reader to believe a certain narrative, which is evident
through their choice of words and by the way in which they write. In doing this the writer has
managed to use different linguistic features to convey context, purpose and meaning.
Student No:
Unique No: 641921
ENG2601 ASSIGNMENT 1
QUESTION ONE: Persuasion and Language
This text, which is based on an online article published by fast company, can be seen as a
persuasive news article intended to influence the reader about the aftermath we may face due
to the COVID-19 pandemic. The target audience of this article is not only for the general
public of South Africa but for all adults who are interested in current socio-economic
dealings. As you can tell be the title of the article “What will the world look like post Covid-
19?’, clearly aims towards an international audience. The writer uses an assortment of
linguistic features throughout the text to help the reader understand what the writer is trying
to say. The writer uses techniques such as cohesion, word choice, metaphors and idiomatic
expressions to articulate the purpose of the article.
Firstly, the title of the text „What will the world look like post Covid-19? Here’s some
predictions’ is written in bold and italics to possibly attract the reader‟s attention while also
revealing the intention of the writer. The choice of words in the title, „what will the world
look like‟, shows the importance of what is at stake for earth. The context of the article is set
in the title, as it refers to current socio-economic and environmental issues that everyone is
concerned with and curious about.
The writer makes use of linguistic features such as registers to hint towards the context of the
text. The register of the text can be seen as informal, but still aimed at an educated audience.
The writer‟s choice of words „butterfly effect‟ , „unpredictable consequences‟, „economic
nosedive‟, „aviation‟, „eurozone‟ and „mutualized debt scheme‟, all contribute to making the
text seem more sophisticated in tone. Moreover, it can be said that there is a certain register
associated with natural disasters, words such as „unpredictable‟, „tornado‟, „earthquake‟,
„aftershocks‟, „lightening‟ and „collapse‟ which are often used when discussing natural
disasters, insinuating that the Corona Virus is as serious and will have the same impact on our
economy as a natural disaster would. These words belong to the same semantic field and it is
used by the writer to generate collocation cohesion in the text. Collocation cohesion is used to
aid in the coherence and cohesiveness of the text to express the point of the text.
Furthermore, the writer uses metaphors and similes to further explain the depth and meaning
of the text. The writer‟s clever use of the metaphor, “An insect flaps its wings and, weeks
later, causes a tornado”, emphasizes how one small action can later cause an intense
downfall, thus leading to a negative ripple effect. The writer also goes on to compare the
virus to an even worse disaster, an earthquake: “The corona virus is more like an earthquake,
with aftershocks that will permanently reshape the world”. This simple, yet well written line
, is enough to persuade the reader into thinking that the world post COVID-19 could be
completely different compared to the world we live in today. In addition, the writer makes
use of modals and cohesion to show the purpose and meaning in the text. The use of the
modal verb „it would be wise to project what new direction civilization will take‟ conveys the
idea that citizens should probably have an understanding of what is to come at a later stage so
that they can plan ahead for it.
The use of the imagery illustrates our global economy, indicating that the aftermath of
COVID-19 does affect everyone worldwide, but it may not be the environment in itself that
will be affected; rather businesses, households and governments will be forced to face these
“aftershocks”.
In conclusion, the writer, through the use of cohesive devices, register, diction and other
linguistic features, has been able to persuade the reader into accepting their point of view.
The writer‟s use of casual register along with the current events gives the article context. The
purpose of the article was to inform the general public about where we all could end up post
COVID-19. The writer influences the reader to believe a certain narrative, which is evident
through their choice of words and by the way in which they write. In doing this the writer has
managed to use different linguistic features to convey context, purpose and meaning.
