ENGLISH LANGUAGE: CONTEXT AND

PURPOSE 2023 SEMESTER 1

ENG 3702 ASSIGNMENT 2

NAME AND SURNAME: NOMBULELO MAPULE

MADONSELA STUDENT NO: 65785762
UNIQUE NO: 729941

NOMBULELO MAPULE MADONSELA

 DECLARATION FORM

I (full names): NOMBULELO MAPULE MADONSELA

Student number: 65785762, MODULE CODE: ENG3702 OF POTFOLIO EXAM
Declare that... I understand what plagiarism entails and am aware of the University’s
policy in this regard. I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. Where I
used someone else’s work, whether a printed source, the internet or any other
source, I give the proper acknowledgement and include a complete reference list. I
did not use another current or previous student’s work, submitting it as my own. I did
not allow and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of submitting it
as his or her own work.
Signature : NM MADONSELA

Date: 2023/04/06
The rise of online media has brought about a significant change in the way news is
produced and consumed. Online newspapers are now an important source of
information and have the ability to shape public opinion on important issues. This
essay critically analyses the role that online newspapers, as part of online media,
play in framing and influencing debates about issues of national importance, with
specific reference to the article "South Africans face dark, cold winter of discontent"
from the Cape Times.

The article is a news report that discusses the impact of load shedding on the lives of
South Africans during the winter months. The language used in the article is formal
and informative, with a focus on providing factual information to the reader. The
article employs a range of rhetorical devices, such as alliteration and metaphor, to
make the text more engaging and memorable for the reader. For example, the use of
the phrase "dark, cold winter of discontent" in the headline is a powerful metaphor
that evokes a sense of despair and hopelessness.
The language used in news articles can often have a significant impact on the way in
which readers perceive a particular issue. For example, in the article "South Africans
face dark, cold winter of discontent," the author uses a range of emotive language to
convey the severity of the situation. The use of phrases such as "deepening crisis,"
"bleak picture," and "looming disaster" all serve to paint a picture of a dire situation in
which South Africans are facing significant hardship.
Moreover, the language used in the article also serves to construct the context,
purpose, and audience of the text. The context of the article is framed around the
ongoing power crisis in South Africa, and the purpose is to inform readers of the
severity of the situation. The intended audience is likely South Africans who are
concerned about the ongoing power crisis and are seeking information about the
situation.

In terms of audience, the article is written for a general readership, as it assumes no

prior knowledge of the issues it discusses. However, it is likely that the primary
audience is South African citizens who are interested in current affairs and political
developments within the country. This is evidenced by the fact that the article
focuses exclusively on issues affecting South Africa, and uses examples and quotes
from local sources such as Eskom and the South African Local Government
Association.
The purpose of the article is to inform readers about the current state of the
electricity crisis in South Africa and to raise awareness of the potential impact it
could have on the country's citizens, particularly those who are already struggling
with poverty and unemployment. By using emotive language and vivid descriptions
of the difficulties faced by ordinary South Africans, the article aims to encourage
readers to take notice of the issue and to demand action from those in power.
Additionally, the article may also serve as a platform for public debate and
discussion about the best ways to address the crisis, which could in turn lead to
positive change attitude of the writer.

The writer's attitude towards the subject of the article is critical of the government
and utility companies. The writer argues that the government and utility companies
have failed to provide adequate solutions to the problem of load shedding, and that
this failure has had a significant impact on the lives of South Africans. The writer
uses emotive language, such as "frustrated" and "anguish", to convey the extent of
the suffering experienced by South Africans as a result of load shedding. The
attitude of the writer towards the subject of the text is also evident in the language
used in the article. The author expresses a sense of concern and urgency about the
power crisis, which is conveyed through the emotive language and the framing of the
article. The writer clearly believes that the situation is severe and requires immediate
action to prevent further hardship for South Africans.

The writer intends the reader to infer that the government and utility companies are
primarily responsible for the impact of load shedding on the lives of South Africans.
The article frames the problem of load shedding as a failure of government and utility
companies to provide adequate solutions to the problem. By highlighting the impact
of load shedding on the lives of ordinary citizens, the article encourages the reader
to view the problem as a serious issue that requires urgent action from the
government and utility companies. The inference the writer intends the reader to
make about the subject of the text is also that the power crisis in South Africa is a
severe issue that requires urgent attention. The author uses a range of statistics and
quotes from experts to support this inference, painting a picture of a situation that is
becoming increasingly dire.

The article presupposes that the reader is aware of the problem of load shedding
and the impact it has on the lives of South Africans. The article also makes certain
assumptions about the reader's attitudes towards the government and utility
companies, framing them as institutions that are failing to provide adequate solutions
to the problem. The article uses inferencing to suggest that load shedding is a
symptom of wider issues, such as corruption and mismanagement within the
government and utility companies. The ideological role played by presuppositions
and inferencing in the text is also evident in the article. The author assumes that the
reader is familiar with the ongoing power crisis in South Africa, and as such, the
article does not provide a great deal of background information on the issue.
Additionally, the article presupposes that the reader shares the author's concerns
about the situation and is looking for information on how to respond to it

In addition to the above analysis, it is also important to consider the role of online
newspapers in shaping public opinion on issues of national importance. Online
media, including newspapers, have a significant influence on how individuals
understand and perceive important issues. The way in which these issues are
framed and presented can influence public perception and policy decisions.
In the case of the article "South Africans face dark, cold winter of discontent," the
framing of the issue is one of crisis and despair, highlighting the severity of the
situation. The language used by the writer, such as "dire situation," "blackouts," and
"failure," contribute to this framing, invoking a sense of urgency and desperation.
The article also includes quotes from experts and government officials, which adds
credibility and authority to the information presented.

However, it is important to recognize that the framing of issues by online newspapers

is not always objective or unbiased. The ideology of the publication and the political
affiliations of the owners and editors can influence the framing of issues. This is
particularly relevant in South Africa, where media ownership is highly concentrated
and linked to political interests.
Moreover, the content and framing of online news can also be influenced by the
preferences of the audience. Online newspapers often use algorithms to track user
behavior and tailor content to individual interests. This can create a filter bubble
effect, where readers are exposed only to content that aligns with their pre-existing
beliefs and biases.

Online newspapers, as part of online media, play a significant role in framing and
influencing debates about issues of national importance. Through their genre,
language use, attitude, inferences, presuppositions, and ideological role, they shape
the perceptions and attitudes of the audience towards the subject matter. The article
"South Africans face dark, cold winter of discontent" is a prime example of how
online newspapers can be used to frame the discourse on the challenges facing the
nation. It employs a mix of genres, including news, opinion, and analysis, to
construct a narrative that evokes emotions and captures the attention of the reader.
The article's language use, attitude, and inferences depict a sense of urgency and
pessimism about the country's future, thereby framing the debate on how to address
the crisis.

While the article's framing of the discourse may be viewed as biased or subjective by
some readers, it highlights the need for a critical understanding of the role of online
newspapers in shaping public opinion. As readers, we must be aware of the potential
impact of language use, presuppositions, and inferencing on our attitudes and
beliefs. Additionally, we must be able to discern the intent and motive behind the
framing of the discourse by media outlets. In this way, we can engage in informed
and critical debates that lead to meaningful and sustainable solutions to the
challenges facing our society.

In sum up of everything, this essay has critically analysed the role that online
newspapers, as part of online media, play in framing and influencing debates about
issues of national importance. The article "South Africans face dark, cold winter of
discontent" from the Cape Times serves as an example of how online newspapers
can be used to shape public opinion on important issues. The article employs a
range of rhetorical devices and framing techniques to present a critical perspective
on the impact of load shedding on the lives of South Africans. By doing so, the article
encourages readers to view the problem of load shedding as a serious issue that
requires urgent action from the government