Writers of feature articles may be asked why they write about such pressing issues. Felicity Arbuthnot, the writer of "Dying of shame" in the Jan/Feb 98 edition of the New Nationalist, may answer with the response that she feels, as a writer the responsibility of bringing these issues to the attention of a world wide audience. If so, she succeded. Her above mentioned article explores the disturbing issue of the atrocious treatment of the children of Iraq. Treatment evident since the UN imposed an embargo on their ports. By writing a feature article using certain techniques including; graphics, title, figurative language, selection of words and inclusion of her own personal experiences, Arbuthnot is able to arouse emotions within the reader about this dismaying issue.Arbuthnots primary call to her readers inner morals is through the use of graphics. Graphics are the initial observation of a reader, therefore Arbuthnots intention is to touch a person in the hope that they will become interested enough to read the article at hand. The main graphic, a large photo in the top right hand corner of the double page spread becomes a focus for the readers first acknowledgement of the article. The photographs setting suggests a bare and lonely place and the sharp focus signifies the disconnection between a mother and her dying child. The photos caption " Sugar baby - a mother and child near Baghdads Saddam Hussein hospital" is a direct ploy at creating sympathy towards the mothers and particularly the children of Iraq. The second graphic used is a smaller photograph positioned in the lower left corner of the double page spread. Its positioning and size are symbolic for the way in which the world, particularly the enemy country - America is treating the people within, as small and insignificant. The photos caption reads "Looking up in hope - but there are no birthday parties any more", which is a direct appeal to the readers emotions, who wou...
