Engelsk skriftlig eksamen karakter

Jeg har lige fået min engelsk eksamen tilbage, og karakteren er noget lavere end hvad jeg plejer at få, også selvom jeg føler at det gik godt til eksamen. Er der en venlig sjæl der kunne gøre mig den kæmpe tjeneste at læse dette hurtigt igennem og give en hurtig bedømmelse, så jeg kan finde frem til om det er opgaven eller karakteren der er noget galt med. Spørgsmålene er følgende:

1. Give an outline of the different views on the British monarchy presented in the texts.

2. How does The Observer argue for the paper's views in text 3. Give examples from the text.

3. Taking your starting point in text 2, discuss whether royal events receive too much media coverage.

1.

The renewal of an ancient institution. That is how the birth of the prince is described in The Telegraph. The British newspaper claims that the monarchy has received a significant boost in popularity, setting back the republicans once again. Monarchy brings certainty and stability, conditions that are appreciated by a lot of British citizens. People enjoy interacting with the Royal family, and the present queen understands the importance of this matter.

The following article by The Daily Mirrors shows that not everyone is satisfied with the media coverage of the royal baby. BBC has received complaints about the amount of airtime dedicated to the story, as well as accusations of the coverage being biased in the flavour of monarchy. As a counter to the criticism, BBC released a statement on its website. The broadcasting service argues that all opinions have been shown, including one from Republic, who campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy. With a shocking 19.4 million browsers, BBC News online obtained the biggest amount of global hits recorded on the site. ITV received a similar immense audience with 7.5 million at its peak, when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared outside St. Mary’s Hospital.

In the third article we receive both arguments for and against monarchy. The author points out how the British monarchy numerous times has been dragged up from unpopularity by a strong woman. Queen Elizabeth has done it, Princess Diana did it, and now Kate Middleton is doing the very same thing. Research has shown that 80% of Britons wish to keep the monarchy. It draws tourists, gives international clout and relieves people from the perils of an elected presidency. But it also creates some awkward morality issues. We in the western world like to think ourselves as advocates for peace and democracy. But how can we teach foreign countries these principles when we accept hierarchical, secretive representation, where lineage is valued higher than capabilities?

2.

To back up its views, The Observer makes use of numbers as well as credible argumentation. The use of statistics as a way of making a point is seen in very start of the text. Here it is written that 80% support monarchy, while bare 13% believes that creating a republic would be the best solution. This is the lowest republic support for 20 years, and makes the reader aware of the British inhabitants view on this matter. To prove the prejudice, of monarchy being a main tourist attraction wrong the author compares Windsor Castle with Windsor Legoland. Once again the numbers clearly shows, that the tourists will come with or without monarchy.

When arguing that we have to state an example of how to carry out democracy, you get the feeling that living in a monarchical society is double standards. How can one preach democracy, when being led by a person who was born to lead, and not chosen by the public? Using the reader’s emotion as a persuasion tool is a well-known way of arguing. The very same method is used when the absence of a constitution is brought up. What if everyone’s worst fear would become a reality, and the UK would be thrown back into the absolute monarchy of the Middle Ages?

The author also makes sure to include arguments that appeal to ones rationality. By quoting an acclaimed philosopher, Immanuel Kant, the article acquires some degree of dignity and objectivity. Kant believes an enlightened culture needs to let go of inherited traditions, authorities and social structures to evolve and move forward, thus making the monarchy inferior. People should not be judged by linage and family, but by capabilities, talent, aspiration and drive. An argument that is difficult to disagree with in modern day society.

3.

In text two we learn that not everyone is excited about the birth of the new prince. And as a citizen of a monarchical country, I do recognise the situation where the whole nation is turned upside down because of a royal event. This might seem silly given the fact that there are so many places in the world where much more shocking events are taking place, but it is in a way a part of living in a monarchy supported by the population. People simply love to follow the life of the Royal family. Many people feel like they are apart of the events, and have a relationship with the family.  

The Royal family represents the country, and by doing so also represents the people. This means royal events often binds the population together. Everybody has something in common, something to talk about. It’s almost like the entire population has one mutual relative.

But with that being said the recent year’s development in media and news distribution has changed the way we connect with the Royal family. Nowadays news is present everywhere, and not just in the papers or the evening news show. Social media and the Internet as a whole, has revolutionised the way we receive our daily news feed. Contemporary, celebrities have also become a big interest for the general population, and journalists are starving for information on their personal life. These factors combined might very well have caused an increase in Royal coverage, and I can’t blame some people for thinking it’s too much. After all we need to respect that people find different things interesting, and if you don’t like following gossip and the Royal family, then you shouldn’t be forced to do so. Alternatives should be available. The big problem is that the sovereignty has a big interest in Royal events, and therefore it’s the news many people want, and the news that makes money.