George Best The Belfast Boy

6. © Referring to at least two features, show how the language of lines 40-47 conveys the writer’s attitude to Best’s performance in that match.

Use of language Word Choice Imagery Sentence Structure Tone

Identify technique Quote Analyse

Imagery Identify and quote an example of imagery Say what two things are being compared Explain the effect of the comparison (Just as . . . So too)

Imagery ‘intoxicated’ Being under the influence of a strong substance, usually a drug, is compared to the effect Best’s performance had on the crowd. This creates the impression that just as a drug is powerful, so too he had a powerful, almost overwhelming effect on them.

Sentence Structure Identify the sentences you are analysing Identify appropriate features Explain their effect

Sentence structure Two long sentences are used to describe Best’s skill when playing. These help to convey the complex and controlled nature of his play. These are followed by an incomplete sentence ‘Pure genius.’ This provides an effective climax to the sentence by emphasising Best’s raw talent, which is described in a way that seems to transcend just sport as ‘genius’ is usually something we associate with more important talents.

Identify Own words Bullet points

He was selfish and self-centred He was unfaithful to partners and uncaring when ending relationships He abused alcohol

Sentence Structure The first two sentences follow a similar structure- starting with ‘Some have said’ or ‘Some say’ followed by a criticism of Best. This use of repetition highlights that the writer is voicing criticism of Best that he personally does not agree with.

How effective do you find the content and language of the final paragraph as a conclusion to the passage as a whole? Effective- must include evaluation. Content- ideas/what is being described. Language- techniques used Passage as a whole- are any of the passage’s main ideas returned to? Are any phrases from earlier in the passage repeated/ alluded to? Is there effective use of climax?

Ideas- I find the description of Best during the prime of his football career to be an effective conclusion because it reiterates the passage’s key idea- that we should remember Best for the inspiring way he played football, not his later decline.

Language- sentence structure of final three sentences Language- sentence structure of final three sentences. All are incomplete sentences, placing extra emphasis on the positive statements he is making about Best. The first of these ,‘Our George’, reiterates the personal connection that the people of Belfast felt with Best. This idea is reinforced by the following sentence ‘The Belfast Boy-, which repeats the passage’s title and key idea- that Best’s appeal for the writer was connected to his cultural identity.

The final sentence, with the repetition of ‘forever’ and the use of a tri-colon provides an effective climax to the passage. This emphasises that for the writer it is the positive memories of Best as a young, handsome, talented athlete. The repetition of ‘forever’ underlines that it is these memories that will outlast every other aspect of Best’s life, providing a suitably positive tone for which the passage to end on.

Audience and Purpose With reference to the entire article: (a) Who might be interested in this article? Think about: Age and/or Interests and/or Nationality and/or Another audience you can identify (b) Explain how you reached this conclusion. What would you consider the purpose of this text? Justify your answer with reference to the text.

Audience a) Who might be interested in this article? Think about: Age and/or Interests and/or Nationality and/or Another audience you can identify

Audience a) Who might be interested in this article? Think about: Age and/or Interests and/or Nationality and/or Another audience you can identify

Interests Identify the passage’s main subject. State that people interested in that might be a possible audience. Justify by referring back to the passage.

Example Dog owners could be a possible audience. The passage is about the different experiences of those who own dogs. Thereby, dog owners would be able to relate to this content and it might help them look after their own dogs. This can be seen when the passage discusses: Quote Explain

Audience a) Who might be interested in this article? Think about: Age and/or Interests and/or Nationality and/or Another audience you can identify

Purpose Inform Persuade Entertain

Inform you about what? Persuade you of what? Entertain you how?

Informative Lots of facts and figures Seems unbiased

Persuasive Attempts to get you take a particular side Uses persuasive language

Link Question Explain the function of the opening sentence of this paragraph in the development of the writer’s argument. You should make close reference to the passage in your answer.

How to answer: Identify in the linking sentence two words or phrases: one pointing back and one pointing forward. Link the backward pointing one with the relevant part of the previous paragraph. Link the forward one with the relevant parts of the following paragraph. You must have followed all four of these steps to be awarded two marks.

So, before we all give the eco-lobby’s anti- flying agenda the unconditional benefit of the doubt, can we just review their strategy as a whole? Referring to specific words and/or phrases, show how the sentence “So, before . . . as a whole?” (lines 13–14) performs a linking function in the writer’s argument.

‘the eco-lobby’s anti-flying agenda’ links back to the previous paragraphs, which were concerned with attempts to restrict air travel. ‘review their strategy as a whole’ links forward to the following paragraphs which look at the wider aims of the environmental groups.

Link Question Explain the function of the opening sentence of paragraph 6 (lines 32-33) in the development of the writer’s argument. You should make close reference to the passage in your answer.

And yet, for all his difference, he was somehow one of us.

And yet, for all his difference, he was somehow one of us.

This sentence performs a linking function. ‘His difference’ links back to the previous paragraph which discussed Best’ unusual celebrity lifestyle. ‘One of us’ links forward to the discussion of how his identity was connected with Northern Ireland.