Introduction
In order to analyze this article the described events should be fully understood. The article deals with the case of publisher – Black Conrad who was in charge of Hollinger International Inc., and worked as a publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times and the Daily Telegraph (London). The owner of the empire was accused of misleading the shareholders of Holliger International Inc. and enriching himself and his partners.
Emotionals Colors of Text
There is a great variety of techniques used in this article aiming to add emotional colors to the text. Analyzing this piece of writing, it can be noted that there is conceptual and factual information used in it. However, the amount of factual information is limited to the facts about who was present at the court, in particular, his wife and his daughter by his first wife and certainly his lawyer- one of the best in Canada.
In comparison with rather scares amount of factual information, there is a great amount of conceptual information, which reflects the attitude of the author and his opinion on these events. Many words with ironical meaning can be found throughout the article, for example: “humble family guy” (these words seem not to have any negative light, however there is something ironical in this combination of words), “arrogance that is his default style” (also ironically underlines the haughtiness and pride of Conrad Black) and “ordinary family man”( sardonic nature of this phrase is discovered in comparison with the previous one). In terms of describing his wife and daughter, the color of author’s language is rather ironical and revealing: “shows off her legs”(these words are followed by the age of Lady Black), “her hands thrust deep into her pockets”(referring to the reserved nature of his daughter).
The Biased and Loaded language
One more techniques used by author is the biased and loaded language, as one of the tools of conceptual information method. Some emotionally colored words of loaded language serve to hold the overall idea and mood of this article. Here are the examples of the biased language: “sober suited” and “modest grey two-piece” (an analogy with mood of Black), “bullish confidence” (referring to the times when he owned Holliger).
Conducting a deep analysis of the article, it is clear that all these emotionally colored words are used in order to ascertain the main author’s idea: a rich self-assured man Conrad Black is now in the situation and conditions he never expected to be in , moreover, in the court he is not an owner of empire any more, but an ordinary man. And the fact that only few people in the jury know about his former power is rather ironical especially in comparison with Conrad Black’s earlier statement that he is “an ordinary man”.
The effectiveness of this article lies in the great variety of techniques and tools used to describe the events: factual and conceptual information, loaded language, emotionally colored words, description of the place, opinions of other people from their point of view.
The tone of the text is rather dark; however reader is not bored while reading this article due to the presence of certain humor which is used to add more color to the overall message of this article. The description of the building, which was designed by “minimalist architect”, is used in contradiction with Conrad Black, “who believes that more is more”. Apparently, the name of Black does not have any weight for the judge, which is another ironical side of this case.
Overall, this article is quiet amusing, and regardless of some negative consequences for accused Condrad Black after the trial, the reader does not feel sympathy for this man. The usage of certain techniques makes this piece of writing rather entertaining, like a fable, which is written in rather humorous style, but contains certain lesson in the end.
It is questionable whether the author met Conrad Black or not, however he does have a hidden agenda: he is certainly not in favor of the former millionaire, and he seems to be watching for life and accomplishments of Conrad Black for a long time. So, it can be concluded that this article is good example of how plain description of the trial in the court can be turned into amusing and creative story of life.