Internal

Assesstme
nt
This portfolio focuses on the
theme Social Deprivation

Subject: Communication Studies

Candidate Name:Renae Scarlett
School: Spot Valley High School
Centre Number: __________________
Candidate Name: __________________

Table of Contents

Page

Introduction2
Preface.3
Narrative piece
The Gully..4-6

Analysis..7-8
Bibliography..9

INTRODUCTION
This portfolio focuses on the theme Social Deprivation, The Study conducted by the
researcher however was based on how living in areas of the country classified as an inner-city or
poverty stricken area affect ones chances of improving his/her way of life. As stated by the internet site
Wikipedia.org social deprivation is The reduction or prevention of culturally normal interaction
between an individual and the rest of society. This includes in a broad network of correlated factors that
contribute to exclusion; these factors include: poverty, poor education, and low socioeconomic status.
This portfolio also entails: an original prose type, narrative piece, a preface which gives an
analysis of the purpose of writing the story entitled The Gully (The preface also looks at the intended
audience, the circumstance and the basis for selecting them), an exposition, assessing how living in
areas described previously stated affects the chances of a person obtaining a job, education or proper
health care, an analysis that evaluates the original narrative, with detailed emphasis on dialectal
variation and language registers.
Personally, having seeing the negative impacts of poverty especially amongst youths within the
candidates community strongly believes that this problem must be dealt with by he government.
The researcher is currently studying Biology which deals with the health of an individual.
Biological in cases of mal-nutrition, poverty creates ill-health because it forces people to live in
environments that make them sick, causing diseases. A biological analysis of poverty will allow the
researcher to unearth this problem from a biological point of view.
In a work related scene the researcher who wishes to enter the field of human and social biology
chose this topic as it relates to the field of interest. The researcher believes that poor health is a result of
poverty.

PREFACE
The narrative piece The Gully relates to a teenage girl still in high school who isn't proud of
her background or community. Her dad was a hustler who was murder when she was 15 and her mom
works as a minimum wage typist. Her best-friend is of the middle class and she is afraid to tell her
where she is really from and she lied about her address. The prose outlines the challenges faced by
youths who are denied a fair attempt at life. The climax of the story is seen when Thimberlys fate takes
an unexpected turn as she is unable to pay for her educational fees as her mother is fired and cant get a
job because they refuse to hire her on the grounds of her community is of the lower class Thimberly gets
caught up in the wrong crowd and ends up becoming a prostitute in order to meet her financial needs.
The researcher wrote the story with the objectives of bringing across a few important points. The
first purpose is to inform the intended audience of the challenges faced by youths in everyday life
because of the social background. Secondly, is to provide an understanding of the effects poverty has on
these youths, whether it be negative or positive.
The intended audiences are youths all across the country as only they can break this never ending cycle,
and the government of this country as they are ones who can assist these youths with their lives.

The Gully
-Thimberly and Jason boarded the bus to his house. Jason stared at her intently; she made no eye contact
with him but instead held her head down and fiddled with the straps on her bag. There was something
about her. What is she hiding all these years? Jason had no clue.
They studied quietly at his house, Thimberly admired the decor of his home. It was very
spacious, The mirrors on the wall made the room seem to expand. She could hardly focus this evening,
Are you okay? Jasons face had worry all over
Im just great. She said with a fake smile
If youre hungry I can get you something, Jason offered
No, its getting late I should go.
Thimberly gathered her stuff together hurriedly and scampered though the house, Jason followed not far
behind. As they stood in silence, at the gate waiting on a bus, the silence was deafening. Before he could
say a word Thimberly jumped onboard without a glance behind. Jason sighed and returned inside.
Thimberly sunk down into a seat, guilt ate into her.
As Thimberly entered the one bedroom home she shared with her mother, she tossed her bag on
the floor and crashed her hard onto the lumpy mattress, where she stared at the ceiling. Just like other
evenings, it had crossed Thimberlys mind many times to tell Jason the truth, but she couldnt
Dam I cah bother Jason will never see me the same way if he knew I was from this ghetto place, she
said to herself,
Just then Thimberlys mother arrived home and calls her daughter.
Thimberly we need fi talk, the mother said with a soft voice, I I lost my job today,
But mommy; wah bout mi school fee?
Well thats the thing, I cant afford to pay your school fee, Im sorry but youll have to stop going,
4

What! Thimberly shouted, No No, I need this!

Sorry, but unless yuh find a way to pay your own school fee, yuh will haffi drop out,
Her fathers death had taken a toll on her and now this. He was a honest hustler who was gunned down
and killed senselessly. Thimberly knew it would be nearly impossible to find a decent part time job
especially because of where she lived. She grabbed her shoes and went for a walk down the road, she
passed the house where it was supposed the local gang members were said to reside she stared intently at
the huge structure.
I bet they dont have to worry about anything, she pondered to herself I bet they have plenty
of money
Can I help you? the voice sounded close, too close she turned around to see a man not too
taller than her, his face seemed tormented, his eyes hollow.
No! she snapped
Then what are you doing here? the stranger spoke softly yet commanding Are you seeking
someone or something
No I am not. She said I dont think you can help with my problems
Try me he folded his arms and stared expressionlessly
She sighed, and began talking. She paused midway
Why am I even talking to you? she asked you are a stranger. Dont even know your name
Ahwell my name is Tony and arent all friends once strangers? he asked.
Look I have to go. She spoke hastily and started for home, she could feel him staring at her.
She quicken her pace reaching home quicker than she expected.
A few days later Tony showed up at her home, no one was home.
Look I know that your family cant afford to continue your schooling He said

Who told you that? she demanded

The point is I can help you with this problem of yours. Tony spoke bluntly
How? She inquired
Well I have access to loads of money all you have to do is deliver something for me. He stated
I dont know, let me think about it, she said in a puzzled way.
Thimberly walked through the school gate as the bell rang, this puzzled Jason and he tried to
catch up to her
Thimberly, he waved smiling at her, Lets go to my place and
Sorry cant, she interrupted him while walking by.
Whats gotten into you? Jason questioned, We used to be the best of friends but now you hardly talk
to me,
The girl pauses in her tracks and said, Im really sorry about that but I have to go,
Her fathers voice rang in her head. mek sure yuh nah waste mi time wid yuh. Her said
Thimberly went to the address Tony gave her; she entered the dark dreary room
Strip! a deep intimidating voice demanded of her.
Was this the end? What was really going? A large hand through her violently onto a awaiting bed. She
felt hand all over and then it all went blank. She awoke to the startling voice of the stranger
Get up Im done with you! Your money is over there! he hollered.

ANALYSIS
The reflective piece The Gully recounts the challenging experiences of a teenage girl whose father
died and her mother was denied work because of their address and later falls into prostitution. The writer
deftly employs a combination of registers, dialectal variations and communicative behaviours
However, for this exercise, only two will be discussed; dialectal variations and language
registers. Dialectal Variation, refers to changes in language due to various influences. These include,
social, geographic, individual and group factors. Creole (refers to a dialect or language which results
from contact between the language of a colonizing people and the language of a colonized people) and
Patois (refers to a geographical dialect which differs from the standard language spoken in a given
country).
There are different variations of dialect portrayed within the Reflective piece. Acrolect (which is
purely Standard English), was portrayed clearly when Thimberly replies to Jason My dad has the
measles. Mesolect (which is Sub-Standard English or a combination of Standard English and
Creole/Patois), brought to life in the paragraph of the piece where Thimberlys mother mentioned
Sorry, but unless yuh find a way to pay your own school fee, yuh will haffi drop out. Basilect (which
is complete Patois/Creole) with a perfect example coming out in Thimberlys fathers statement where
he said mek sure yuh nah waste mi time wid yuh.
Language registers is a variety of a language used for a particular purpose or in a particular
social setting. It possesses various levels of formality. The five levels identified have been given
specialized names by linguists; frozen, formal, consultative, casual and intimate. Examples of these
registers are found in various areas of the reflective piece

In conclusion, it could be said that the writer has effectively solidified her purpose in identifying
the relationship between social deprivation and the geographical location of a person as it relates to the
reputation possessed by such specific location.
Also, throughout the piece, the writer effectively uses the various linguistic criteria to appeal to the
readers. These also include numerous communicative behaviours as well as attitudes to language. In the
reflective piece it is evident that the researcher effectively uses these language registers, as well as
dialectal variations and attitudes towards language.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Websites
Investopedia.com
Wikipedia.org

Newspapers
The Daily Observer
Times New York

BOOK
Communication Studies for CAPE Examinations.. Veronica Simons, Sandra Osborne

OTHER
The Economic and Social Society Jamaica (ESSJ)
The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN)