What else is there to discuss during the current world landscape then the global COVID-19 pandemic? Well, Observer columnist Barbara Ellen expressed her discontent with the current trend of blame assignment during the pandemic in her recent opinion piece in the Guardian.
The piece was very interesting to me for a number of reasons. It was listed under the sports opinion category, and I understand why, as Ellen's lead point in the piece was discussing British health secretary Matt Hancock's comments about Premier League footballers' actions in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, I was surprised to see that she moved on from that point to discuss other things, namely the current state of dating and Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's decision to move to California.
I was simply not expecting these topics to be discussed because the headline made no mention of anything other than football, and because the piece was listened under sports opinion. However, by no means am I saying it didn't work. Quite the opposite, actually. I thought Ellen did brilliantly to connect these three seemingly-very-different topics.
Ellen uses a formal yet conversational tone in this piece, presumably in an attempt to sway one to her side. She connects the three topics by a constant, ever-present theme: People being overly-critical.
The lead remains me of a hard news lead. It's very straight-forward and to the point. It seems to me to be a hard news lead adapted to be used in an opinion piece. Also, the lead only mentions the first of the three topics that is discussed.
With that said, I think it is a strong lead. Getting straight to the point works when the point involves the current global pandemic. On top of that, the use of the language "focus our ire" is extremely strong and eye-grabbing.
It's difficult to connect the lead and the kicker because Ellen is discussing two different situations at those times in the piece. However, I must say that the piece flows well from idea to idea, and I had no problem following the author's thought process or argument.
This piece was not overly reliant on statistics, but throughout her writing, Ellen builds her credibility to a level where it's clear that she can speak on these issues. After setting the scene for Hancock's comments, she gives information regarding clubs' misusing of the current circumstances (Tottenham and Newcastle). Then she goes on to tell the audience that the Premier League has asked clubs to institute a 30% pay cut for players, and that the league has donated 125 million pounds to the leagues below them. Clear research and meaningful numbers here.
A call to action is present throughout the piece: Stop using the present circumstances to blame certain people and certain groups.
Throughout the piece, like any good opinion writer, Ellen continuously addresses the opposing side of the argument. In regards to the Premier League, she says "of course Premier League players are overpaid." In regards to online dating and hook-up culture, she says "For some this works well," and "Casual sex has its place."
She is much more unforgiving in the final graphs regarding Prince Henry and his bride. She uses sarcasm brilliant in the first graph, when she states that "It’s almost heart-warming to see that – even now! – people have the energy to tear into Prince Harry and Meghan." The stand she takes here, for people to leave the couple alone, is a strong way to end the piece.
It's very difficult to judge this piece on the merits of a "normal" opinion piece, especially when it comes to form and flow.
You could almost make the argument that each of the three sections has its own lead and its own kicker. I would not have a hard time backing this argument.
All I can say is that it works. Despite the piece not being entirely about sports, I enjoyed it. And it made me think, which any good opinion piece should.
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