Topic 9 (session A) - Speech Presentation > Varieties of speech presentation in the novel > Task E > Our answer

Varieties of speech presentation in the novel

Task E - Our answer

Jenkins consistently uses DS to represent what Hockney says, but FIS to represent his own contributions to the conversation. He does this consistently throughout the whole article, not just this extract. Using DS for Hockney foregrounds his contributions and means that we feel we get what Hockney himself said, not a version worded through the journalist's language. In using FIS for himself, Jenkins backgrounds his contributions compared with Hockney's, but because of the IS/DS mix which typifies FIS, he helps to make the conversation feel alive - it means he can retain the interrogative forms in the first two sentences, for example, which would disappear if IS was used.

This skilful mix of liveliness and what amounts to politeness and a careful regard for Hockney's status and views is in marked contrast to the speech presentation style of many journalists, who represent what they say in DS and what others say in more indirect forms. This kind of speech presentation can suggest that they they are the main focus of interest of their articles, not the person they are interviewing!

We found a link to David Hockney's Website if you are interested in finding out more.

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