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Introduction 1 Reflective Section Preface. .2 Reflective Sample........ 3 Analysis..6-7

CAPE Communication Studies Internal Assessment

Name: Mishka Sheilah Bell Registration #:1000220025 School: Convent of Mercy Academy Alpha Center #: 100022 Territory: Jamaica Year of Exam: 2013 Theme: Unemployment

Introduction Unemployment remains a major economic and social issue in most countries of the world today. The term unemployment can be defined as an economic condition marked by the fact that individuals actively seeking paying jobs remain unhired. According to government reports, unemployment is becoming a growing concern in todays economy and a large portion of the worlds population is suffering as a result. The theme was developed in the reflective section as the story entailed a single mother, Stacey, who soon realizes that due to her being unemployed, she is suffering lasting damage to her earning potential, her health and prospects for her children. In the expository piece presented orally, I contemplated on the challenges faced by unemployed persons in Jamaica. The theme unemployment relates to my personal interest as several members of my family are qualified for jobs however, they remain unemployed. Therefore, there is a possibility that after I finish my studies I may also be unemployed even though I am qualified for a suitable job. Unemployment relates to my academic interest, as being a business student it would be fundamental for me to learn about this economic and social condition. It also widened my knowledge on whether this condition may decrease in future years.

The Unexpected Outcome I cant take this anymore! said Stacey as tears ran down her cheeks. Stacey knelt down beside her bed crying as she had no idea of what to do. It had been seven months since Stacey became unemployed. She was a single mother who had three children, Jordan, Dayniel and Sasha. Four years ago the childrens father met in a tragic car accident and died. Stacey was now left to care for the children by herself. The few family members that Stacey had were either in no position to help her or dead. At first it wasnt as hard for Stacey as she was a secretary at Beckford Company Limited, a small firm. Stacey was receiving sufficient monthly income which helped to provide the basic needs for herself and children. She became unemployed when the firm was forced to shut down due to bankruptcy. Being a strong female, Stacey tried her best to use the money she saved to help maintain her children but that was just not enough. Stacey knelt motionless beside the bed for a few minutes. Jordans CXC funds came up to seventeen thousand, nine hundred and forty dollars and she had no money and was frustrated. Stacey could hardly find lunch money to give to her three children so the sight of CXC fees brought immediate tears to her eyes. Stacey had been searching for a job ever since she became unemployed; however, she was unsuccessful. Jordan was the eldest child and, he hated to see his mother so unhappy and wanted to do anything to make her happy. Sasha and Dayniel were also affected due to their

mothers unemployment. The children at Beckford Street Primary School would laugh at their discoloured uniforms and tease them about their ridiculous hair styles and their ugly worn out shoes. The girls only had a few friends and were hurt and disliked school. The girls were also absent from school several times. All the teasing and jeering helped to lower their self-esteem. The following day Stacey planned that she would borrow the money from her neighbour. At school Jordan couldnt stop thinking about his mothers unhappiness. Jordan missed out on most of the things the teachers said. At lunch time all his friends were eating their box lunches but he could only afford to purchase a biscuit and a bag juice. As Jordan was about to order, he saw his friend, Jason, with a large sum of money. Jordan pulled Jason in a corner and asked, Weh yuh get so much money Jason? Jason told him that he gambled every evening after school at Mr. Bells corner shop. Jordan took one more glance at the money in Jasons hand and decided that he would gamble and win some money for his mother. Stacey borrowed the money and gave it to Jordan to pay for his CXC fund. Stacey was employed by an old woman who wanted her to clean her house for one thousand dollars per day. This was just a temporary job so that she could repay her neighbour. Unfortunately Stacey only worked for six days. She became depressed as she didnt have anymore money to repay the outstanding fee to her neighbour. Stacey started drinking and often got very drunk. Every evening after school Jordan went by Mr. Bells corner shop and gambled. He took small portions of the money he won to his mother.

When asked where he got the money Jordan would reply, Mommy Ive been doing a little work after school. Jordan felt happy that he could help out his mother. A few weeks later Jordan began to lose. Although he tried hard he couldnt win a game. He kept trying until he lost all his money. He now understood what Jason meant when he told him, dog and puss nuh have the same luck, so he should play carefully. Meanwhile, Stacey had almost finished paying her neighbour but still had no money to send the children to school. She continued drinking and Jordan started smoking because he too was stressed. Stacey and her three children were suffering lasting damage due to her being unemployed. Stacey only wanted the best for her children but she did not have the money to provide for them. After thinking thoroughly Stacey decided to send the children to a place where she thought they would be better cared for. She sent Jordan, Sasha and Dayniel to a childrens home while she left Beckford Street and went to live in the country to fend for herself.

Preface The main purpose of my reflective piece is to expose, inform and educate persons about the effects of unemployment in todays economy. The reflective piece was written as a short story because I think this is the best way to transfer the intended message. The intended audience is individuals or students who are working towards obtaining their degrees, masters, etc in order to get an appropriate or satisfactory job. The short story The Unexpected Outcome is about a single mother, Stacey, who undergoes trials due to her being unemployed. She also realizes that the longer it takes to find a job, the deeper the damage appears to be. The story clearly shows that unemployment leads to low self-esteem, depression, increased crime rate, poverty, dysfunctional families, etc. The short story ends with the family turning into a dysfunctional family which results in the children being sent to a childrens home and Stacey moving to the country to fend for herself. The context of the reflective piece was effective as it clearly outlined the effects of the theme.

Analysis The reflective sample entitled The Unexpected Outcome is based on the theme unemployment. It was written by Mishka Bell. This linguistic analysis is concentrated on Language Register and Dialectal Variations. According to the Websters Pocket Dictionary, a language register is the kind of English appropriate for a particular purpose or situation. The two types of registers evident in the story are formal and casual. Formal register is seen in the third paragraph where when asked about the money Jordan would reply, Mommy Ive been doing a little work after school. This indicates the respect Jordan has for his mother as he speaks to her in Standard English and with a mild tone. Casual register is evident in paragraph two when Jordan pulled Jason in a corner and asked, Weh yuh get so much money Jason? This is used between two friends in a non-formal setting. Jordans tone changes when he is speaking to his friend. Dialectal Variation according to Longman Dictionary refers to spoken and written language that varies on the continuum within a specific community. Standard English and Jamaica Creole were two varieties used in the reflective sample. An example of Standard English is in line 1, I cant take this anymore! said Stacey. This form of linguistic behaviour is known as acrolect. This shows how depressed, frustrated, foiled, discontented, discouraged, disheartened and embittered she was. It seems as if Stacey had reached her breaking point.

Although she is frustrated and angry she still expresses herself in Standard English. Jamaican Creole is used in paragraph 3, dog and puss nuh have the same luck? This form of linguistic behaviour is known as basilect. The use of this indicates the familiarity of the friendship. It also depicts the bond between the two friends, Jason was looking out for Jordan. In conclusion, Language registers and dialectal variation were the two linguistic factors that were effectively presented as the story was based in Jamaica, which is influenced by different language varieties and as such Standard English is usually used in formal settings where Jamaican Creole is used in informal settings and with persons with whom you are familiar.