Daniel Andrews

Daniel Andrews’ Herald Sun article published on the 26th of July 2011 asserts the detrimental effect the US style beauty pageants are set to have on Victorian children when hosted in the state in 2011. Andrews begins by arguing the other the top expense the pageant events that are run by money hungry companies. He continues further asserting our children should not be dressing up in the way these beauty pageants require. Additionally, Andrews conveys the long-term harmful effects that the participation in these events can have on the young children who enter them.

Andrew begin by arguing against the unreasonable price of participation in the “glamour pageants”. He utilises strong language such as “divided” and “disturbed” whilst firstly addressing

the issue of the pageants.This technique paints an image in the head of readers of an overly negative experience within the beauty pageants establishing their engagement in the issue. The writer then continues to employ an appeal to hip pocket by stating with the use of evidence the “thousands” of dollars that is needed for your child to complete the pageants. Appeal to hip pocket discourages readers from supporting the events due to its monetary requirement and therefore loss of finance they would experience if their “children” were to participate.

Strong language and appeals are important literary techniques, especially used in conjunction with emotive language and other appeals. 

Contended next by Andrews is the negative effect the extreme slamming of young children can have on their childhood. The writer employs emotive language throughout his argument describing the pageants as having “objectified” and putting their children at “risk”. This technique further invests readers into the issue within the events painted by the violent words. Also included is the use of appeal to the reader’s fear which is demonstrated as Andrews proclaims the pageants are ensure failure to “preserve the innocence” of children as they “glam” up as “mature attractive women”. The readers begins to evaluate and further analyse the situation of the events and the importance of their child’s childhood consequently ensuring they reframe from entering them into a pageant as effect of this technique. The use of emotive language is very effective in a opinion peace, even more so when used concurrently with an appeal to health. 

Finally, Andrews affirms the mental health risks of child

participation in a glamour event. He utilises appeal to health during which he states the potential negative long-term effects of child participation such as “depression” and “eating disorders” The use of these emotion prompting words within the appeal assist in shocking readers and further persuading them that the pageants are more harm than good. Repition in a positive tone is then employed by the writer whilst he states children should be allowed to “flourish”.The use of this technique ensures the message of warning against the events is understood and taken on by readers.