Pub Talk and the King’s English

Text Appreciation

Ⅰ. Text Analysis →Introduction to Exposition

"Pub Talk and the King's English" is a piece of exposition (informative writing). Exposition is to put forth an idea or suggestion and expound on it.

The purpose or intention of the writer of the exposition is to inform or explain.

The writer appeals to the reader's understanding with verifiable facts and valid information, explaining and interpreting that piece of material so that the reader will accept his view. The writer must organize and develop his thought objectively and present it with honesty and completeness so that the reader will have confidence in what he is talking about. Exposition is the most common kind of writing, for it is applicable to anything which challenges the understanding, for example, the definition of a term, the structure of a lab, the meaning of a historical event, the significance of a political system, etc. The writer of an exposition generally makes a statement of the central thought or of his purpose first. The thesis can be supported and developed in a variety of ways.  The following are some of the approaches usually used in writing: definition, identification, illustration, comparison, contrast, analogy, analysis.

Ⅰ. Text Analysis →Theme of the Text

1. Conversation is an activity of human beings, and a good conversation is not for making a point. Conversation in a pub has a charm of its own.

2. English has fought for centuries to be recognized and we should be proud of King’s English.

Ⅰ. Text Analysis →Text Organization

Part 1 (Paras. 1-3): Introduction:

The writer puts forward the theses: conversation is the most sociable of all human activities and bar conversation has a charm of its own.

Part 2 (Paras. 4-11): Development 1:

The charm of conversation is that there is no fixed topic. Example: the King's English —Australia —the Saxon peasants—cultural humiliation-revolt.

Part 3 (Paras. 12-19): Development 2:

The author traces the history and meaning of the King’s English. Through the examples of dictionaries, the salons of the 18th century, Carlyle and Forster’s remarks , the author reveals his attitude towards the King's English.

Part 4 (Paras. 20-21): Conclusion:

People will ruin the conversation by trying to consult the dictionary in the middle of conversation or talk sense like chimpanzees who are actually unable to make conversation.

 

Ⅰ. Text Analysis →Further Understanding

1. The major theme of this essay is _______.

  A. pub talk in King’s English

  B. conversation is universal

  C. the charm of bar conversation

  D. the history of King’s English

2. The style of this piece of exposition is _____.

  A. ironic

  B. informal

  C. formal

  D. sarcastic

3. The author likes bar conversation because ______.

  A. it is casual and not for making a point

  B. it will not use the King’s English

  C. it is usually formal and serious

  D. it is interesting and argumentative

4. “The King’s or Queen’s English” came into use in the ______.

  A. 15th century

  B. 16th century

  C. 17th century

  D. 18th century

5. The best conversationalists are those ______.

  A. who are trying to make a point

  B. who are trying to talk sense

  C. who are to ready lose

  D. who are prepared to win

 

Summary of the text

The title of this passage gives us the impression that the author is trying to demonstrate some intrinsic or linguistic relationship between pub talk& the King’s English, but in practice, it is just talking about what makes good conversation. The author feels that pub conversation has a charm of its own & clarifies his point by describing the charming conversation he once had with some people in a pub on the topic, “the King’s English”. He shifts from a general sense of good conversation to a particular example of it. However, on reflection one might conclude that the author intentionally wrote this piece in a conversational style merely to suit his theme. As a result, we have his loose organization & very informal language.