Cameron Black-Post 1

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1902022,00.html


"It takes a powerful magic to keep Brits quiet on a Saturday night — just ask the nation's beleaguered police. Yesterday evening pubs and clubs fell silent as 20 million people tuned into a TV show to see a question of global significance finally resolved." This is the enthralling opening sentences to Catherine Mayer’s news article, describing the illustrious finale to Britain’s Got Talent. This introduction succeeded in captivating me (an avid denouncer of reality television programs). I was immediately intrigued to learn more about Britain’s Got Talent, and how this show could pacify one fourth of Britain’s population. The Author did an awesome job here describing the melodramatic state that Britain was in, and it really helped catch the interest of the reader.

In addition I liked how the author brought in outside opinions to fortify her writing. For example this quote struck me as being particularly interesting. "How good it is we have something that takes the world's eyes off our greedy bankers and corrupt politicians," This little excerpt helped formulate the premise for why so many people were interested in this show. Because people were tired of hearing about corrupt politicians and greedy bankers so they decided to direct their money and attention to this TV program. It is an effective and creative way of saying, this program achieved in placating our population and we are happy for this.

Furthermore the author used a marvelous technique called characterization. This quote in particular helped me understand the way characterization helps people perceive Susan Boyle. “The final of Britain's Got Talent wasn't just about whether Susan Boyle — Scotland's least processed export since steel-cut porridge oats — would triumph.” This quote helped me in visualizing the raw talent of Susan Boyle, and how she is such a devote Scotsman. Also it makes the situation seem much more dramatic and adds a suspenseful question to the end of it that makes you want to read more. Also the humor behind this statment adds to the excitment of reading this article.

Moreover the use of adjectives in this piece contributed to the creative flare that this article was discharging. For example the author gave an interesting twist to a background of a reporter by saying he was salacious. This spicy word adds a cryptic background to the piece and makes you crave reading the rest of the article. Not only that but using adjectives to describe someone gives a personal perception, and helps the reader understand the significance of introducing a character.

This work of Creative Nonfiction was very successful in portraying its true meaning. This meaning was that even in today’s modern world, with all the madness that seems to be transpiring we can still find ways to find serenity. I thought it was a positive message and reading it was so elementary that you flew through the article in a second. This is a perfect example of what the elusive genre of Creative Writing can do to people it captivates and makes reading fun.