Food Crisis in the Sahel

Paper 1 – Text 2:

Analysis:

At first glance one might suspect, ‘Food Crisis in Sahel,’ an article released late 2011 on the Oxfam website, to be nothing more than your typical informative, charity piece. However upon closer inspection one would find that it were truly an advertisement for the Oxfam charity. While the article is no doubt informative, it structure closely follows that of the ‘Problem/Solution’ trope, a staple that has come to define modern advertising. This theme is particularly evident, through the construction and order of the article; “Emergencies, Food Crisis in Sahel, The situation in Sahel” and "What Oxfam is doing.” In presenting the article in such a manner, Oxfam’s efforts are cast in positive light and as the solution to the growing crisis in the African region. Besides this technique, the article employs a number of others, which can be examined under the lenses of Audience/Purpose, Content/Theme, Tone/Mood and Style/Structure.

From the article’s use of language, outlook on western Africa and format, one can infer that its target audience would be those already interested in Oxfam and who originate from more economically developed countries. Once may reach this conclusion on account of the lack of personal, more intimate terminology throughout the text, coupled with the knowledge that charities on a whole depend on the contributions from able benefactors. This would suggest that the audience is not from the same region as the article but one that is more well to do. Finally, the goal of the article as might suppose, is to inform readers of the situation in Sahel and in doing so persuade them to donate towards Oxfam, in support of their ‘noble’ efforts in the region.

The text denotes the likelihood of an upcoming food crisis in the Sahel region of West and Central Africa and divulges a number of statics and facts to support its claims. The article opens with a brief introduction, catching the reader up on the ongoing situation in the Sahel and Oxfam’s stance on the matter. Following the introduction, further context on the region is provided, in addition to a number of bleak predictions appertaining to the effected nations.  The use of riveting adjectives and expressions in these sections; "early warning systems," "crisis", "dangerous" and "vulnerable," cater towards the sense of urgency, provoking a response or call to action.

Building of this notion it is then interesting to note Oxfam’s actual work in the region, which the article provides only a single example of, ‘co-op vegetable gardens program.’ Aside from this, all the other works mentioned are only goals and what the charity hope to achieve. This then acts as a superb example of a ‘so what?’ claim, as a bulk of the article is composed of mere aspirations and little of what Oxfam have already accomplished. Despite this the tone of the article is one of confidence and a surety and is supported by the many statistical facts throughout the piece. These straightforward statements such as, "we will be reaching" and "vulnerable populations can be protected" assure the audience and cast Oxfam in confident, secure light.

The main literary devices utilized in the article are logos, pathos and ethos. As the article opens, the reader is met with words such as like ‘humanitarian aid,’ and ‘vulnerable,’ examples of ethos, as ethics and moral beliefs are drawn on to coax the reader.  Further manipulation is used in the placement of these phrases. For example the line "if early and effective action is not taken" is purposefully set before "costly to lives and livelihoods". The effect of this is that it vests the responsibility of taking action upon the reader, placing them in a moral dilemma and through the use of ethos encourage them to do what is right.  In the second paragraph ‘The Situation in Sahel,’ the reader is presented with a number of demographics, an example of logos as it assures the reader of the legitimacy of the article. Furthermore, the article presents a number of plausible arguments to support its claims and this combination of statistics and feasible arguments, seals Oxfam’s reputable status while imbibing the reader with the sense of urgency.

The final passage makes use of both logos and pathos to sway the reader. The prime example of this would the article’s use of the pronoun ‘we’, tugging on the reader emotional strings as it draws them in as part of the solution. Furthermore the article states that "300,000 children die from malnutrition-related diseases in a 'non-crisis' year," an example of pathos, as the mention children is far more likely to incite an emotional response. The placement of this sentence at the end of the article causes it to be the final image the reader is left it. With such a negative image instilled in their mind; one of children suffering, the reader is subsequently far more likely to offer any assistance.

The structure of the text is fairly coherent. The article opens with a visual of an elderly woman riding a donkey in an arid wasteland, presumably the Sahel region. The desolate, dry nature of the picture’s setting would suggest that the woman is not in a very fortunate position. In addition, the very fact that she’s traveling and in all likelihood moving, would suggest that her situation is not preferable and that she has been displaced. Pictures often acts as effective means to convey emotion as they provide a 'face' the viewer can relate and identify with and many times text alone is not sufficient to make such a lasting impression. The same intelligible font is used throughout the text, however different fonts are used for the headings, drawing the reader’s attention to them.

In all, the stylistic and grammatical choices culminate in an effective piece that engages the reader on a personal level and in doing so coerces them into supporting the Oxfam charity.