Transcript

Sophie: at like (3)on the (.) um (5) oh, I've gotta check now. (3) Um (2) left slub (.) left handside of the paper.
Jade: yeah.
Sophie: quite big (.) like right in the middle
Jade: yeah.
Sophie: like right(^) towards the edge.
Jade: um(.) /sure
Sophie: draw a/ zed shape.
Jade: a zed(v)?
Sophie: (.) a zed.
Jade: middle left.
Sophie: y:::eah.
Jade: ok

Throughout the transcript Jade showed understanding and agreement by continuously saying 'yeah.' This made Sophie know that what she was saying was clear and allowed them to continue without confusion, knowing what they had said was acknowledged and understood. The two understand one another in an informal register, questioning each other without hesitation and also comfortable enough to interrupt each other whilst still understanding one another. The slang used is understood and is a good way of showing that the socialect is not formal and friendly.

500 word coursework drafts

Views leave X Factor as Gary Barlow announces his departure

Could the dwindling views from the country's ITV reality rock have anything to do with our favourite judge's exit? 

It’s okay. Breathe. Calm down. I know it’s hard to digest. Put down your phone and pick up a tissue, this is about to get emotional.

On the first live show of the X Factor 2013 Gary Barlow, after months of deliberation, finally confirmed that this would be his final year of doing the annual show. He spoke of one of the final three groups he is mentoring this year, Rough Copy: "I've been here for three years and I'm so glad that for my last year on the show I get to mentor you guys.”

Compliments aside, is there a reason Gary Barlow is quitting, other than his first solo album in 14 years coming out this November? “I’m an artist first and foremost, that’s my day job. I’m in Take That as my main job, that’s how I see myself,” he told the Metro shortly after the show. 

Not only this but he reportedly found last year while being on X Factor in November as well as recording an album with his five piece band extremely difficult and tiresome. “X Factor is a full time job,” said the song writer who has been a part of up to fifteen number one hits over his long career.

The blow resulted in many fans taking to Twitter and his name trending during the rest of the show as well as a debate on who should replace him. Current favourite is Olly Murs, who was a contestant in 2009 and though didn’t win the series has presented X Factor Extra years since. 

Gary will not be the only judge to have left the competition over the last few years. The four mentors have been disrupted nearly every year since Sharon Osbourne stormed out on a live show and vowed to never return, though she has this year to replace Tulisa. Past judges include Cheryl Cole, Danii Minogue and Simon Cowell and numerous guest judges such as Pixie Lott and Demi Lovato. The only judge to make it through the whole near decade the show has been on air is Louis Walsh, despite being originally axed back in 2007 when the show had some major changes – including new host Dermot O’Leary. At the public protest Louis was brought back to be one of the four judges.

There is a great need for the show to be updated each year. Strictly Come Dancing triumphed over X Factor’s first live show with 2 million more views. “A show like this needs to stay fresh and exciting, so it’s a great opportunity for someone to come in,” he said politely. “I’m ready to pass on the baton.”

It’s debatable that a new judge could either make or break the show’s views and defeat the rivalry between BBC’s Strictly and ITV’S X Factor. 

Monologue:

Kyle: But it’s not as if I didn’t try to get better, all the options I had I gradually took each one over time. But it was hard. But you wouldn’t understand. It doesn’t just come over night, it’s always there, but you suddenly get swallowed up by it. You’re swimming in a big fish’s stomach and you’re about to drown. That’s the only way that you can see out. It was suddenly there. It came and it stayed. It’s still here now. But you can see passed that. That’s good. There wasn’t a lot anyone could do for me either, for I wasn’t listening, they gave me everything, pills – counselling – therapy – exercise and even committed me at one point. But soon after, it really shook me up, it was nice to see people believe in me, not just show me their pitiful looks, because they didn’t pity me, they felt differently – caring. Actual caring, not those pretend feelings, not fragile hugs and choked whispers telling me I would get better, none of that, because they knew, as well as I did, that they couldn’t make me any better – only I could. It, this, it’s got easier. It’s getting easier. But it won’t ever be perfect. All I planned to tell you was that it will be okay and not like those people told me. It will be okay because I’ll make it that way. It’s not like I’m completely reckless. It’s not like I don’t try. I try. All the time. Always. You always told me that I would get through it, in my own way. I did and I don’t think I would have been able to do that so well if it hadn’t been for you. Because, Jesus Christ, things have – and will continue to – change and get better. That’s a promise, Julie.

Between this monologue and the next Kyle moves out of his parent’s house, gets a job in retail management and reconnects with his daughter after her Mother’s death. Since his last encounter with Julie, Kyle has achieved relationships outside of his imaginary world, the main one being with his child, Lily, who he has brought up during the last five years. She is an intelligent individual, but much like her Father, has difficulties with her mental stability especially since Julie’s passing and meeting her Father she was unaware was still alive. However, since his daughter has become an adult she has sought out medication from doctors as the counselling her Father pays for has lost its affect. Kyle finds an empty box of antidepressants in Lily’s room and after weeks of deliberation decides to confront her on the subject. 

Bibliography

Facts – 

http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/20/strictly-come-dancing-trounces-the-x-factor-in-the-ratings-yet-again-4153703/ 

• Strictly come dancing having 2 million more views than the first live show

http://www.contactmusic.com/press/gary-barlow-announces-new-album-since-i-saw-you-last 

• Gary wrote all the songs for 'Since I Saw You Last' in London 
• With Take That Gary Barlow can count eight Number One albums, selling more than 30 million copies, to his name. He has also be party to fifteen No.1 singles, sold seven million concert tickets as well as being the proud recipient of six Ivor Novello Awards. He was awarded an OBE for his contribution to British music last year following the work he has done with BBC Children In Need and the hugely successful Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert.
• Gary's last solo album 'Twelve Months, Eleven Days' was released in 1999, with his debut solo record 'Open Road' hitting the No.1 spot in May 1997.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_X_Factor_finalists_(UK_series_6) 

• Olly Murs’ on X Factor 2009

www.mirror.co.uktv/tv-news/x-factor-gary-barlow-exit/2366122 

• “I’m an artist first and foremost, that’s my day job. I’m in Take That as my man job, that’s how I see myself.”
• Gary has been a part of 15 number one singles
• “A show like this needs to stay fresh and exciting, so it’s a great opportunity for someone to come in and take the show past its incredible ten year anniversary.” – Gary
• “I’m ready to pass on the baton.”
• Awarded an OBE for contribution to music 2012

Travel writing

Welcome to Bristol, the largest city in the South West of England, with this though comes the 432,500 that inhabit it and therefore the killer traffic you'll face in the mornings when you're stressed enough that your washing you put on the line last night reaks from barbeque smoke your neighbours ate last night. It's a nice place to stay a while, not necessarily a nice place to live. If you're organised you can spend a lovely few days full of activities this ever growing city has to offer; there's the hippodrome that shows great theatre on a daily basis, the zoo where you can feed the penguins and even adopt one (though, sadly, you can't take it home), every night there is a concert that would suit your taste, whether it be in The Fleece, the O2 or the Colston Hall and finally there are the shops in the centre in town. Bristol City Centre boasts one of the best Universities in the country - ranked at 11 in 2013 - and is surrounded by other historic and beautiful buildings, as well as Cabot Circus: shopping heaven. There are a wide range of shops to visit and something to suit everyone. If it's cheap and chearful you want, there's Primark. If it's expensive and good quality you're after then Ted Baker is just around the corner. Just walking around town you'll come across impressive art from Banksy, towering statues of inspiring people and even the rebellious grafiti can leave you mouth open in wonder (how do they get up there?). Plan your time well, and Bristol will be a lovely weekend away, but pack enough clothes for your stay!

Monologue

Extract from Alan Ayckbourn's play Confusions 

Thanks. Sorry, only the man over there won’t stop talking. I wanted to read this in peace. I couldn’t concentrate. He just kept going on and on about his collections or something. I normally don’t mind too much, only if you get a letter like this, you need all your concentration. You can’t have people talking in your ear – especially when you’re trying to

decipher writing like this. He must have been stoned out of his mind when he wrote it. It wouldn’t be unusual.  Look at it. He wants me to come back. Some hopes. To him. He’s sorry, he didn’t mean to do what he did, he won’t do it again I promise, etc., etc. I seem to have heard that before. It’s not the first time, I can tell you. And there’s no excuse for it, is there? Violence. I mean, what am I supposed to do? Keep going back to that? Every time he loses his temper he … I mean, there’s no excuse. A fracture, you know. It was nearly a compound fracture. That’s what they told me. (indicating her head) Right here. You can practically see it to this day. Two X-rays. I said to him when I got home, I said, “You illegitimate person, you know what you did to my head?” He just stands there. The way he does. “Sorry,” he says, “I’m ever so sorry.” I told him, I said, “You’re a illegitimate person, that’s what you are. A right, uncontrolled, violent, bad-tempered illegitimate person.” You know what he said? He says, “You call me a illegitimate person again and I’ll smash your stupid face in”.

Hi. No thanks, no coffee for me. I did go, I told you I would go and you didn’t believe me. I sat in that green plastic chair and waited half an hour for the appointment you booked. I showed up and guess who didn’t? Her. The woman who you booked me in with. Just didn’t show, not for half an hour! Then she waltzes in all cheerful, asking how my day was. I told her, “My day was better until I had to wait for you” I said. She laughed. I wasn’t laughing, Sue. There were many other things I could have got done, but you insisted. So I went, just for you and I hope you’re happy now – happy I wasted two hours of my life nattering on about it to a stranger. Lovely. Anyway, we hardly spoke about me. Claudine, that’s what her name is, just had a tricky argument with her son! Thinks he’s got his girlfriend pregnant, she does. Was nearly in tears! I had to offer her a tissue to blow her nose in. (laughs forcefully) So, you see, I did go to my appointment but I shant be going to the next, I don’t need any help…especially not when I’ve got to pay the bus fare to get there. Bus was late too! They are so ridiculous, unreliable, bloody buses! I ended up being late myself, but still Claudia was later than I! Cancel the next one, Sue. They’re unnecessary; it’s good that I gave it a go though, isn’t it?

Article

 

 

HUNGRY HAMSTERS

‘Hamster, Hamster, what cute teeth you have!’ ‘All the better to kill all you love with.’

Jade Ford
The Guardian, Monday 6 October 14.00 BST

Animals are monsters. To be more precise, it is the rodents that are monsters; rats, mice and hamsters. Having them as a pet is a risky, life threatening choice. Life threatening for the other animals in your house. I warn you now, keep that colossal being by itself, it will naw (viciously) and claw (with brutal force) at its prey, and its prey will be something you love.

You might ask why I feel so strongly against these furry beings. There is a story behind this, a gruesome, heart-breaking story that will leave you clutching your computer mouse, your iPad, your laptop screen for comfort as you cry. This story is not for the fainthearted. At eight years old I came down the stairs to find a bloody dead body in the hall. I had been happy, ready to go to my violin lesson when everything changed. In amongst the sawdust, the toys, lay Pepper the little, innocent dwarf hamster, her stomach gashed open by little teeth, resting finally at peace. The ordeal she must have been through as Salt ate her made me miss my violin lesson and eventually quit. Salt didn’t care. Salt ran around the cage like a lunatic, happy enough though the love of his life (as I liked to think of them as a married couple before my innocence met an abrupt end) was now being digested in his stomach. The worst part of Salt’s sudden change of diet was the amount of actual hamster food that was ready, waiting to be eaten. There were enough sunflower seeds to create a football pitch of sunflowers and enough grains for an eight year old me to eat as a full main course, without wanting to eat a hand sized hamster. But no, Salt ate Pepper (ironic, I know.)

Nevertheless, hamsters are known as household pets. Children stare wide eyed at the rodents in Pet’s At Home, begging their parents for these things for their birthday, Christmas, any occasion – they want it: even though their miniscule bites will leave you running for a plaster and then clutching your fingers for hours. They might look cute, they might seem harmless, but those empty beady eyes are as black as their souls, if they even possess them anyway. If you are unfortunate enough to come in contact with a red eyed monster, fear them. Even their stare is creepy.

An evil being attempting to be cute

from www.livescience.com/27169-hamsters.html 

 

I ate the Divorce papers, by Gabriel Davis - Monologue

I ate them. That's right. I ate the divorce papers, Charles. I ate them with ketchup. And they were good... goooood. You probably want me to get serious about our divorce. The thing is, you always called our marriage a joke. So let's use logic here: If A: we never had a serious marriage, then B: we can't have a serious divorce. No. We can't. The whole thing's a farce, Charles - a farce that tastes good with ketchup...

The extract from this monologue is a good example to show the comedy behind the very obvious anger that is made clear by the short sentences that create a demanding and livid tone. The simple use of ‘No. We can’t.’ helps us to see how difficult and upset our character is, the negative connotations are entertaining and will help the audience to understand the characters feelings more but also add a comical tone to it also, there is a clear forceful feeling behind this.

The fact that the register is colloquial with ‘Charles’ and is such an angry piece makes the audience more informed and the purpose even more entertaining as there are more people to be aware of. Though there are no stage directions through the dialogue it is almost as if you can see how angry the character is. ‘You always called our marriage a joke,’ shows how there is more to the relationship than just what is in the monologue and they really do know each other. This also would most likely relate to the target audience which is married women who probably find enjoyment in reading this in a lighthearted and friendly manner. The whole piece is very relevant to many people, the repetition of certain words infers just how angry the speaker is and that one of those words is 'good' and is in great contrast with the rest of the monologue's negative lexis makes it much more interesting and eye catching, especially how it is emphasized when repeated.

The discourse marker, 'the thing is,' keeps the audience and other character interested while also staying informal. It makes those listening/reading aware that a point is to be made and therefore encourages their concentration to listen further. 

The metaphor carried throughout the monologue of eating the divorce papers 'with ketchup' keeps a comical theme to a very serious subject and would humour the audience and, as a scripted monologue with its purpose to entertain it does this well by being all through the piece. Eating paper makes the character sound very peculiar and the bizarre sentence infers she is not to be argued with as she is so angry she is ready to do anything. 

Characters and their age - blog analysis

http://storymind.com/blog/blog/page/2/

The Attributes of Age

People in general, and writers in particular, tend to stereotype the attributes of age more than just about any other character trait. There are, of course, the physical aspects of age, ranging from size, smoothness of skin, strength, mobility to the various ailments associated with our progress through life. Then there are the mental and emotional qualities that we expect to find at various points in life. But the process of aging involves some far more subtle components to our journey through life. 

This blog goes on to talk about how many characters in novels are similar and unoriginal, giving the authors opinion on how to make creative and new protagonists as well as other characters. The text uses low frequency lexis making us aware that the target audience are for those who are keen on the subject and are of an older age range. The blog speaks to it's audience with imperative sentences such as, 'You owe it to your characters.' Including the word 'you' makes this audience feel much more involved. 
There are more ways that the author makes the audience feel included, by admitting parts about their lives in first person for example, 'I can’t remember the last time I ran full-tilt.'
As well as this they use a conclusion at the end to finish their lengthy piece, if I were to write a similar blog with a similar word count I would do this as it is a nice way to finish and is easier if somebody would like to see the most important facts and opinions you have. 

How I Met Your Mother Analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4-mhSXYQE0

I chose to analyse this small clip from How I Met Your Mother as I find it humorous and the dialogue is clearly between friends which the director and screen writers play on to make the scene comical. You can tell they are close as Lilly calls Ted 'Grandma' which you would not normally do if you would not normally do if you were not friends with them, they also have a relationship outside of the scene as Lilly also says 'we're not having this argument again' implying they already have. The scene is very comfortable and informal by how the two actors react to each other and this makes it much more entertaining and easy to watch for its target audience who would most likely just want to sit and laugh at the television. The register changes slightly as Ted becomes passionate on a certain subject and suddenly goes on to list a set of low frequency lexis that the audience wouldn't need to understand as it is not even listened to by the other character, meaning the audience would not need to be intelligent on the subject to understand. The clip is very funny and entertaining and therefore suits its purpose very well.

Complicated - Avril Lavigne

Calm down, what are you shouting about? Lie down it has all happened before, if you could only let it be, you will observe, I am fond of you as you are, when we are cruising in your vehicle, when we are conversing together, however you have converted to...Somebody else when you are with others, you are examining your back like you cannot breathe, you are attempting to be cold, to me, you look a fool, talk to me. Why do you feel the need to make things very difficult? I am aware of the fact you are performing to be somebody else, it has me aggravated. 

Armstrong and Miller - RAF Pilots - D Day

 This video, its contents and the language used is all aiming for comical result. The language is very informal and contains a lot of slang, for example ‘if they do haz donkey rides’ it is not used in front of people that they do not know. I would say that they talk this way because they clearly know each other so it is therefore a form of sociolect, however this doesn’t change when the two main characters speak to another person, they carry on with phrases like ‘big time.’

Also the accent they have is very posh and accurate to the time setting they are in, yet what they say is not suitable for that. Armstrong especially uses many contractions such as ‘ain’t’ and ‘isn’t’ to make the viewers more comfortable and at home with watching it; this and the accent make it much more comical how they contrast each other so much.

The word ‘so’ is used a lot as a discourse marker and to emphasise what comes after, as they are going for a more informal, chavvy language to make the contrasts more apparent. As well as this the other character in the clip is very different, his language is brief and commanding, very much more suitable for the time period, which shows even more contrast between the characters. 

Jade - Book Blurb

Jade is trying not to be an awkward human being at her new college, by struggling not to make any cringey introductions, embarrass herself by falling down the steps (again) and attempting to avoid being picked on in class just to answer a question she'll nervously stutter a wrong answer to. But concentrating on that, trying to overcome her depression of not seeing her favourite band for very nearly a year, her lack of money for gigs as it is and the birth of her new baby brother, Charlie, who won't - can't - turn out as strange as her two younger siblings, is becoming tiresome within just a week of the new school year; especially when every stranger seems to think she's a 'reckless, irresponsible' teen mum whenever she's with her younger brother. So shove some A-levels, 600 new people in a crowded corridor and the threat of public speaking on top and you'll have Jade Ford, who's just about finding enough time to eat, sleep and write.

★★★★

Daily Mirror

"Hard to put down!"

NME

Wuthering Height Analysis

 ‘What were the use of my creation, if I were entirely contained here? My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff's miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning: my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it.—My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff!”

This is an extract from Wuthering Heights and I chose it as it one of the most tense parts of the book and shows how throughout the book characters can develop and interact with each other. There are few full sentences and many commas in the extract which gives the idea of fast, jumbled ramblings. The rhetorical question at the start makes the reader feel more involved but as Catherine goes on to answer her own question you can still sense her uncertainties. You can see through Catherine’s rant and the punctuation used that she is upset and possibly angry. The imagery is strong during the piece and the woods and the rocks contrast extremely well, especially as the theme with nature is important through the whole novel. I think the imagery is very exact to what Catherine is trying to explain as she explains she knows what the world is like but then goes to say without Heathcliff it would not be like that at all. As Catherine explains the world would be a ‘mighty stranger’ without Heathcliff, it infers how lonely and unaccepted she would feel in a foreign place. The emphasis on certain words suits the piece well as it contrasts against the use of full stops before it and contrasting against the calm and making the rant sound more real and angry.