The document summarizes and analyzes a news article that is critical of a report by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) on child poverty in New Zealand. The news article uses coercive language and common sense arguments to delegitimize the CPAG's findings and position. It references John Key's upbringing to justify the government's policies and further its own political stance in opposition to the CPAG. The document analyzes the rhetorical strategies and underlying political purpose of the original news article.

1. Media, the blog & political discourse esa B’do

2. The first site of analysis is a news article published in the dominion post as an editorial opinion. It comments on the recent report written by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), which highlights the “significant deprivation experienced by one in five children”.

5. Establishes common sense by making truthful statements that support National whilst challenging CPAG’s grasp of reality. For example in response to CPAG’S desire to give additional monetary support to those living in poverty, the author writes: “No amount of money will compensate for a lack of love or encouragement”. Dominion Post. 2 . t he production of common sense

6. The text is coercive because it attempts to sway the opinion of the reader. By using common strategies the author seeks to delegitmise, belittle and undermine the CPAG. Like this for example: “ In fact its members appear to believe that choosing to live on a benefit is just as valid a choice as choosing to work for a living ”. Dominion Post. Synonymous words adds strength to the author’s opinion & help prove that the CPAG are misguided in their opinions. 3. Coercian

8. B elittling text. “ A bala ncing exercise is obviously possible, but the group's authors do not suggest that. Instead they simply propose that the Government boost beneficiaries support to the same level as Superannuitants. Oh that it were that easy.” The Dominion Times

9. The headline may also be called the macroproposition. As Van Dijk asserts: headlines offer key insights into the meaning of the text & “define the ‘overall’ unity of discourse” (1997). The macroproposition in this case staunchly colours the text: (Left behind in the real world) (Left behind in the real world) 3 . Macroproposition

12. takes courage and love and not necessarily ‘ benefit handouts’ Hard work will do it! The long haul from poverty to “presidency”

13. 5. The use of historic text

14. “ No amount of money will compensate for a lack of love or encouragement. Encouragement and support can, however, do much that money cannot as Prime Minis ter John Key's widowed mother and many others have demonstrated.” - The Dominion Post (CPAG article)

16. In another news article, historical references to Key’s widowed mother are made. It accompanies a news documentary about his rise to the top. The text from this uses Key’s widowed mother as a reference to his resourcefulness. “ What lies beneath John Key's exterior? At 49 years old, John Key's come a long way. Born in Auckland and raised by a widowed mother in a state house, he went on to claim this country's top job as Prime Minister. But what lies beneath the smile and wave philosophy that's helped take him from MP to PM in just six short years?” (3 News, June 2011)

17. http://www.3news.co. nz/What-lies-beneath-John-Keys-exterior/tabid/419/articleID/214701/Default .aspx Hyperlink to video that spans his poor upbringing to his achievement.

20. The CPAG text shows the power of the media to represent political viewpoints using coercive strategies such as: resistance opposition protest dissimulation and legitisimation.

21. The text is in the Dominion Post’s editor’s weekly opinion slot. It is written, however, in a style that is indicative of everyday reporting, which makes it seem objective. 8.

24. Not being accountable also enables the author to present ideas without explanation . Because the author isn’t accountable, it is easier to put forward risky ideas. For example this enables the author to make a bold distinction between ‘ types ’ of poor and make sense of Government’s distaste for supporting the wrong type of poor.

25. The Gen eric ‘ they ’ who have fallen on hard times , appe ar s to exclude those that have fallen on hard time s due to what the author describes as familial failu re as the following text explains: “ But what Government understands and CPAG does not is that they strenuously object to going without themselves to prop up those who have given up on trying to support themselves and their families.” The Dominion Post

27. September 14 at 6:27pm Radio NZ had a great little piece of coverage on morning report on some just published UMR research showing that public confidence in the media is falling. "Left far behind on child poverty" accusing the CPAG of political bias is just plain wrong. To imply as the piece does that all "Academics, Teachers, and Social Workers" are left wing is nonsense...# The editor of the Dom Post needs to go join Act and stop pretending he's a journalist…

28. Coercian Like the original text, this post is coercive. The author wants us on side. He uses several strategies: Links text with unrelated comment about media claiming public confidence in the media is falling. This exclaims the author’s confidence in the article is not huge and gains support by referring to the greater mass who no longer has con fidence and should not have confidence in this article either. However this comment is not directed at the media report that claims the publics confidence is falling . It doesn’t question whether we should have confidence in this report, therefore, it takes sides. “ Great little piece of coverage.” Shows complicity , as if an insider to the world of more appropriate and correct media.

31. The informal language of the piece, suggests a wide readership. However, despite the misrepresentation of the title, which is supposed to read “Left further behind The Real World”, the writer is unconcerned with the issues raised around child poverty. Readership is generally limited to people who dislike pro-national media reports and enjoy contestive behaviour and readers who choose to partake in political debate or read and understand political points of view. anguage

32. Discourse is language in use. fini.