Verbal Issues

[Marghe]

Hello,

I have a question regarding the recording on RC Short Passage from the Study Hall : Thursday with Ron of August 19, 2010.

Over the presentation, Ron talk about the Abrupt Shift, which might appear at the end of the passage. I understood that such Abrupt Shift should not be confused with a signal for the main point of the passage.

Therefore, when an abrupt shift appears, could I assume that it is an intrusion of the author's opinion in the passage and acknowledge also the tone through analysing that shift and its correlation with the passage?

Thanks for your help.

Margherita Vittoria

[RonPurewal]

Hello,

I have a question regarding the recording on RC Short Passage from the Study Hall : Thursday with Ron of August 19, 2010.

Over the presentation, Ron talk about the Abrupt Shift, which might appear at the end of the passage. I understood that such Abrupt Shift should not be confused with a signal for the main point of the passage.

Therefore, when an abrupt shift appears, could I assume that it is an intrusion of the author's opinion in the passage and acknowledge also the tone through analysing that shift and its correlation with the passage?

Thanks for your help.

Margherita Vittoria

Hi,
I don't really understand the specifics of this question, but, in general, you should avoid trying to fit RC passages into pre-determined categories or templates.

If you notice a shift of focus at the end of a passage, just do the following:
* Notice what's different;
* Look for a relationship to the rest of the passage.
* Remember that the focus shift is important, but is NOT part of the passage's "main idea".

Beyond that, just try to understand what you're reading. If you try to be too systematic with RC, then it just won't work.

[RonPurewal]

Also, a focus shift isn't necessarily a matter of opinion. For instance, in an article whose main point is to describe the benefits of some medical procedure, there could be a few lines at the end about a few of the procedure's attendant risks. No matters of opinion there.
Similarly with drug commercials on TV -- all the "fine print" at the end is a focus shift (not part of the commercial's main message, for sure), but it's certainly not a matter of opinion.

[Marghe]

Hello Ron,

Many thanks for your analogies. Definitely they answer my question.

Best,

Margherita Vittoria

[RonPurewal]

Hello Ron,

Many thanks for your analogies. Definitely they answer my question.

Best,

Margherita Vittoria

You're welcome.