A Quick Fix for Strokes Written by Christine Gorman

                                                    ANALYSIS

I will analyze a text “A Quick Fix for Strokes” written by Christine Gorman. The genre of the scientific text is popular scientific article. The text is informative. Having read the article, I can define that the main message of the text is to show the reader how to make better use of a powerful clot-busting agent (TPA). The text tends to follow some definite structure including three logical parts (introduction, the body paragraphs, and closing). Introduction includes 1st and 2nd paragraphs linked by anaphoric reference. This part of the text is mainly based on description; the tone is involved. The body paragraphs are 3, 4 and 5 develop the suggested theme by providing arguments. An example in the last paragraph serves as closing of the article. In the introductory paragraph the author previews the contents of the passage. C. Gorman states the significance of the investigated problem to help the reader understand what the purpose and the subject of the article will be. The structure of this article represents a frame structure by means of different types of repetition. For instance, direct repetition of word ‘stroke’ goes throughout the passage as it is a key word of the topic. Though syntactic structure is different, the idea (the loss of control over your body) remains the same in the introductory and closing parts.

From the first lines we can see that Stroke is regarded as a very serious disease, as a catastrophe. The author uses superlative degree the most + terrifying to underline the seriousness of the problem. Enumeration of symptoms in abrupt sentences like (Suddenly, your arm goes numb/you can’t speak/half of your body becomes useless can be viewed as a verdict as there is no way out from this situation. For this reason, the author uses connotative verb – to befall a person with a negative meaning (to happen especially by fate), we can do nothing about it. This situation does not take into consideration our own wish. We may observe that time is very precious in this case. Focus is on the quick reaction to symptoms. As we move further we can see that central part is narrative. Even the title itself reflects the significance of every moment. A quick fix for stroke- a case of alliteration reminds us of ticking a clock. This is an auditory imagery + visual (pictures in the text). If we look at paragraph 4, parallel constructions (first determine, then ensure..) show the professionalism needed in such cases –to work like a clockwise.  There are temporal expressions like –time is, as fast as you can, soon after, just 3 hours after, suddenly create tense and build topical continuity and coherence of the text. Central part of the text is represented in expository style. The author makes use of different patterns: paragraph 3 –use of definitions for non-prepared auditory, 4-step-by-step / classification defines two types of strokes; factual evidence by means of example –statistics (4 hours) + citation (reference to neurologist). The author relies on background knowledge of the audience and uses key terms, simplifications and references to everyday life. For instance, visual metaphor is based on the general experience –how to deal with clogging pipes = arteries, fix= repair. Grammar references carefully structures the text, pronoun references you involve everyone and make the problem personal. Even when the catastrophe seems to be inevitable, contextual antonyms clot blocks- a miracle drug underline the idea that there is a hope. This idea is supported by a conceptual metaphor where clot blocks-a killer, Stroke –a victim TPA-a saver.TPA is presented as the only miracle that can back our lives.