Characteristics of the text

Any analysis of a non-fiction text should include an analysis of the author's arguments, use of rhetorical devices and forms of appeal. Here we help you identify how Terry McCarthy uses the language in his article "Warning", including these points:

Hidden argumentation

The author conveys his view on the topic and his main arguments in a hidden way. Unlike opinion articles, where writers clearly present and state their arguments for or against a topic, feature stories are more subtle.

Terry McCarthy never says openly that he finds Andy’s parents and friends partially responsible for his outrageous acts. Instead, he lets the facts speak for themselves: “No grownup in his life seems to have been looking out for that future before the shooting”. (p. 54, ll. 8-11); “Things weren't great at home either. Williams' parents had divorced when he was 5, and he rarely saw his mother after that”. (p. 55, ll. 73-76)

Also, he never says that he considers Andy a victim of circumstances. But, by describing...