Task: analyse an article from “the Economist”.

When education dries up (The economics of sexual inequality)

The article I have chosen to analyse is from the Economist, a British weekly newspaper focusing on international politics, business news and opinion. It is entitled “When education dries up”. The title immediately catches one’s attention due to the metaphor (“dries up”) and, also, to the incomplete sentence: the title hints to a problem with education, but doesn’t show any solution yet – this may raise the reader’s interest and curiosity. On the other side, the metaphor “dries up” hints to a situation where there is no water and, therefore, it suggests that the article is going to deal with Africa. Africa is known to be a very poor continent; the lack of water is one of its main problems, as well as education: it may not be surprising for the reader to find an article about it; however, the use of “when” in the title is meant to create a condition (uneducation) and the reader expects a solution, which may be explained in the article.

The two subtitles –The economics of sexual inequality and New research hints at a better method to ensure girls in Africa stay in school– confirm the previous hypothesis; they provide the reader further information, not enough indeed, in order to make the reader go on.

Besides title and subtitles, the article is organized into six paragraphs: each one has the same length, more or less, except for the first one – the introductory paragraph is shorter. The text is not linear and includes a picture.

The core of the article is girls' education in underdeveloped countries, especially in Africa.  In particular, the problem came to surface when surveys showed girls being outnumbered by boys. Several organizations’ attempt to solve the problem is, however, ineffective, since the issue doesn’t deal only with school itself: girls’ absence at school is often due to weather conditions that forces them to stay at home and support their own families. The article also shows that the problem is not only a damage for girls themselves, but has also repercussions on the country’s economy (see statistics in the article, paragraphs three and four).

As one can see, the purpose of the article is to inform, to explore an issue and to report the problem. Moreover, the article is an argumentative text (each paragraph has a specific function: the first one presents the thesis, paragraphs from two up to five include argumentation, the sixth the conclusion), but it is not meant to persuade people: indeed the journalist’s point of view comes to surface in the conclusion, and it doesn’t condition what said in the previous paragraphs. So, the article is mainly balanced, since there is no opinion but only facts until the last paragraph.

As regards his opinion, the journalist supports the improvement of girls’ education in underdeveloped countries. The idea is conveyed by pointing out its several pros (see last paragraph): more educated girls would have a positive effect on economy and health. In particular, the first point is highlighted by the frequent use of percentages, number and statistics and by the use of language linked to economy.

The reader may agree with the journalist’s opinion, since it is right to support education. However, education means knowing and being able to understand what is around you, it is a right and it should be at everyone’s disposal. It shouldn't be influenced by economy or any sexual inequality: both males and females’ education should always be supported.