Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Aaron Ralston

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  • BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
    • LANGUAGE
      • 'YOU CAN IMAGINE' - Direct address helps reader to actually imagine situation more vividly by comparing with chimney. Familiar to reader.
      • 'SCRAPING QUAKE' - Descriptive language 'scraping' evokes the sound the rock makes and the 'quake' describes the feel of the vibration.
      • 'ROUND ROCKS BELOW'- Alliteration of 'r' sound to emphasise speed and smoothness of movement.
      • 'FEAR SHOOTS MY HANDS OVER MY HEAD'- Short sentence, direct, emphasises how Ralston in no longer in control of his actions. His hands are working by themselves, driven by fear, and not rational decisions.
      • 'THEN SILENCE' - Minor sentence suggesting how the incident stops just as quickly as it began.
      • 'GOOD GOD, MY HAND'- Emotive language. Religious language infers extreme emotion and desperation.
      • 'BUT I'M STUCK'- Simple, short sentences to convey starkness of the situation.
      • 'SEARING-HOT PAIN' and 'FLARING AGONY' - Graphic description. Metaphorical description making reader think of fire, to help convey the burning pain he felt..
      • 'NOTHING.' - Text ends with single word-nothing. Stark and hopeless. Leaves reader uncertain of what will happen next.
      • 'MY DESPERATE BRAIN CONJURES UP' - Metaphor. Magical description.
      • 'ROCK SMASHES'- Violent verb 'smashes.' - onomatopoeia.
    • QUOTES
      • ''I COME TO ANOTHER'- Shows Ralston has done this before, suggesting experience. Furthermore, words such as 'DIFFRENT GEOMETRY' suggests his competence in the subject.
      • 'I CAN MOVE UP OR DOWN THE SHOULDER-WIDTH CREVICE FAIRLY EASILY AS LONG AS THE FRICTION CONTACT STAYS SOLID BETWEEN THE WALLS AND MY HANDS, FEET AND BACK' -Very detailed description of technique. Gives impression of skill and experience- competent and confident.
      • 'INSTINCTIVELY' - Previously, Ralston's movements were calculated and planned, but at this point he acts instinctivley, and this gives a sense of foreboding.
    • STRUCTURE
      • 'i COME'- Account is written in present tense. Creates a sense of immediacy, helps the reader to really imagine the experience.
      • The turning point of the text comes from 'As i dangle' -these words suggests being suspended precariously. The reader gets a sense that disaster is about to happen.
      • As the accident is described, the tone changes completely as Ralston starts to panic.
      • Final word 'Nothing' suggesting a bleak prospect for escape.
      • First paragraphs show his expertise and confidence.
    • METHODS
      • First Person
      • Present tense for immediacy
      • Careful, technical description
      • Graphical and emotive language
      • Metaphor of fire to describe pain.
      • Uncertain conclusion as Ralston appears isolated and hopeless.
      • Description of time distorted by experience of accident.
      • Short sentences emphasise shock and lack of hope.

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