Analysis of a Game of Polo with a Headless Goat

1. The title foreshadows a humorous experience as the idea of a game being played with ‘a
headless goat’ is just hilarious. Also, the title has connotations of mayhem helping prepare the
reader for chaotic encounter. These grab the reader’s attention from the beginning.
2. The story starts in media res ‘ We drove off to find the best viewing spot’ which immediately
takes the reader to the heart of fast paced events. The reader is soon presented with a charged
setting where man and beast outdo each to entertain.
3. Informal language ‘lads’ creates a casual and playful feeling typical of such races and makes adds
an aura of excitement and flair to the text. This also highlights the writer’s gender and
demonstrates her high sense of belonging.
4. The choice of words ‘Wacky Races’ from a cartoon series builds a crazy and wild atmosphere
and reinforces people’s liking for such state of anarchy. This might also seem exotic to the
western readers who are the target audience for this writing.
5. The use of direct address ‘but you will try to get to the front’ engages the reader and makes
them feel as though they are part of the audience witnessing the event live.
6. The use of hyperbole ‘We wait for eternity’ underlines her childlike boredom as the build up for
the contest weighs heavy on the spectators. The slow pace reduces the tension and makes it
appear that nothing is going to happen.
7. The use of questions ‘Are they coming?’ contributes to a rising sense of boredom and
demonstrates that the spectators were beginning to lose patience over the prolonged detail
prior to commencement.
8. The use of present tense verbs ‘assuming’, ‘approaching’ helps to build a sense of urgency and
immediacy making the reader feel as though events are unfolding straight in their eyes. This
increases interest and keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
9. The use of statistics ‘achieve speeds of up to 40km’ adds to the sense of danger as the reader
becomes concerned about the safety of the riders at such speeds. It also adds panic that keeps
the reader motivated to read on.
10. Use of onomatopoeia ‘ horns hooting’ ‘bells ringing’ add to the feeling of intense activity where
things are in no ones hands but a mix of chaos and complete disarray. It also shows a sense of
rush and an adrenaline situation.
11. The use of brackets ‘(like maracas, a metal container filled with dried beans) denotes the text’s
informative nature helping the reader understand things properly to enjoy the text.
12. The use of the metaphor ‘This was Formula One’ enables the reader form images of the risk and
gambles of the race and see the situation as the writer does.
13. Use of hyperbole ‘survival for the fittest’ to indicate the danger that accompanied the race. It
also heightens the level of humor and excitement in the text. Besides it resonates with the
audience who are already with evolution theories.
14. The use of a long sentence ‘Ahead of the donkeys… until we had passed’ creates a feeling
intense activity where so much was happening concurrently much to the amusement of those in
attendance. It also lays out the setting as a busy one.
15. The use of imagery ‘the road straightened and leveled’ to signify the peace and calm that
returned to the city center after a flurry of activities involving the race. It also indicates that
everything is over and everyone has resumed their ordinary lives.
16. The use of a short sentence ‘The race was over’ denotes the abrupt coming to an end of the race
and contrasts with the one sentence before this to build an opposite atmosphere of excitement
and sudden lull.
17. Use of tone shift ‘And then the trouble began’ highlights the disagreement and then the chaos
that followed regarding which donkey won the race. It prepares the reader murky and volatile
situation that replaces the merriment of the race.

BEYOND THE SKY AND EARTH: JOURNEY INTO BHUTAN

1. Jamie uses repetition ‘again and again’ to demonstrate her awe and wonderment upon
arriving in the mountainous country. It could also suggest the exact opposite where she is
bored by seeing the same thing: mountains.
2. The use of the adverb ‘Thimphu is actually new’ registers her shock at how young the
country is. She did not expect to find it that young and this discovery is riveting for her.
3. The use of facts ‘It took 5 different flights’ highlights how the journey was not only long and
winding, but also exhausting . The long haul must have drained her to the bones and this
denotes the remoteness of Thimphu.
4. The writer strikes an ironic tone where she says, ‘They have beautiful aristocratic faces’
which negates the country’s recent history. This adds to the charm and humor of the text
making it more engaging.
5. The writers use hyperbole ‘I watch the mountains rise to meet the moon’ registers her
utter shock and disbelief at the monumental mountains that baffle her beyond
imagination. This exaggeration conveys her total bewilderment.
6. The author uses semantic fields of aggression ‘ridges and sharp peaks’ highlights the
dangers she faces more so being unfamiliar to these surroundings, and which she would
call home for a few days.
7. The long sentence ‘it is easier to picture a giant child… fall though’ helps build a sense of
the vastness of the landscape much the wonder of Jamie. She cannot fathom just how
expansive the land is.
8. The use of statistics ‘20,000 it seems even smaller’ underscores Thimphu’s isolation
through geographical distance making it appear a hideout from the rest of the planet and
its people.
9. The use of syndetic listing sums her initial opinion of the country as unfriendly or
unwelcoming. Th harsh weather mirrors the challenges she will have to adjust to while in
the capital.
10. The series of repulsive adjectives ‘instant, powdered, plasticky, flavorless’ suggest that she
is not impressed by the food at all and shows the food as quite different from that which
she is used to.
11. The use of semantic field of geographical terms ‘landmass meeting landmasses reinforces
the writer’s vast knowledge in adventure and exploration which helps to stamp authority
on the overall piece.
12. The use of imagery ‘Rainbow District of Desires’ creates a romantic atmosphere which
draws in the reader to the attractions of Bhutan. The names are carefully chosen to make a
lasting impression on the reader.
 13. The reference to global culture ‘ Rambo Poster’, ‘acid washed jeans’ is evidence of
infiltration of global culture into the country despite the remoteness of the region. This is
highly startling to the writer as it was least expected.
14. The use of historical terms ‘outrageous treaty’ points to the country’s long-standing
tradition and history and is a surprising contrast to its surviving purity notwithstanding
earlier attempts to rope it in global affairs.
15. The use opinions ‘The Bhutanese are a very handsome’ conveys the writer’s outpouring of
love for these group of human beings for whom she has indomitable admiration. She is
head over heels in awe of the people she meets quite different from her earlier perceptions
of the country and her people.
16. The writer uses anecdotes ‘When we stop to ask for directions’ to reveal the kindness and
hospitality of her hosts- people that are ready to offer any help needed.

H is for Hawk by Helen McDonald

1. The text with direct speech in media res ‘We’ll check the ring numbers against the ring numbers
in Article 10’s’ to highlight feelings of urgency and action as well as excitement in the writer who
can’t wait to have her bird.
2. The use of proleptic language or foreshadowing ‘don’t want you going home with the wrong
bird ‘predicts what might – actually happens. This also gets the reader thinking about what
might go wrong to result in the writer getting home with a wrong bird.
3. The use simple and straightforward language ‘at their parcel tape handles, their doors of thin
plywood and hinges’ ensures that reader gets visual images of the boxes and them understands
well the ongoings in the text.
4. The use of a series of long sentences ‘Another hinge untied, Concentration. Infinite
concentration’ suggests growing anticipation and also excitement as the writer gets to know
more about her bird. Tentatively the sentence also points to looming dangers hence urging
more care in the reader.
5. The use of italics ‘A sudden thump of feathered shoulders’ demonstrates the bird’s violent and
near forceful nature which also unsettles and concerns the writer ensuring that she stays alert
throughout the whole process.
6. The metaphor ‘Daylight irritating the box’ is effective as it creates the impression of the light
flooding into the box. This is effective because it is strange, mixing the imagery of the light and
water. It creates excitement and engages the reader.
7. The use of Onomatopoeia ‘ and amidst a whirring, chaotic , clatter of wings ‘ adds to the
jumbled succession of impressions. The speed and the chaotic nature of the moment is brought
to life by for the reader.
8. The use of repetition ‘The man pulls an enormous, enormous hawk’ communicates the shock of
the writer at realizing how big and gigantic her hawk is. The hawk’s appearance also baffles and
stuns the writer.
9. The use of alliteration ‘ wings barred and beating’ creates the image of rhythmic movement and
sound of the wings. The word beating alludes to the heart beating or a stick beating a drum.
10. The choice of words ‘cutting the air’ creates an impression of a dangerous and fierce hawk that
unsettles the writer who is already jolted by her choice of bird.
11. The use of a simile ‘her feathers raised like the scattered quills’ creates an impression of fluffing
up trying to make itself look bigger. Porcupines rain and rattle their quills to defend against
enemy which creates the feeling that the hawk is scared or fears humans.
12. The listing of nouns ‘a reptile, a fallen angel, a griffon’ makes the bird appear malevolent and
fierce advancing its already unsettling characteristics. This adds to the drama and interest of the
text.
13. The use of a long sentence ‘ but now this; she can see everything’ shows the reader how the
bird’s eyesight is and how much the bird loves freedom and the word ‘but’ creates a contrast
between the spaces in which the hawk finds itself.
14. The use of a one word sentence ‘ Oh’ helps register the writer’s shock and bewilderment at
discovering that she had picked the wrong bird. The exclamation also demonstrates
disappointment and sadness.
15. The use of direct speech profanity ‘Dear god’ highlights the dismay at her latest predicament
from which she has to find a way out.
16. The use of listing ‘ the hood was on, the ring numbers checked, the bird in the box’ conveys that
the deal is literally done and creates tension because the writer knows she wants the other bird
but doesn’t know hot ask for it.
17. The use of emotive language ‘crazy barrage of incoherent appeals ‘points to the writer’s growing
desperation which creates empathy for her given how she values getting the right bird home.
18. The use of allusion ‘as if she were in a seaside production of Midea’ creates feelings of being out
of control and engenders sympathy from the reader. The writer is battling to keep emotions in
check while also trying to humbly have her preferred hawk.