It started with a refusal. The producer called and asked if I would think of writing a piece about being a foreign correspondent and a father. I said no. I was on paternity leave and overwhelmed with the sleeplessness of early parenthood. narrative technique is that of a letternarrative technique is that of a letter, speaking, at , speaking, at all times, directly to Daniel – yet it was broadcast to all times, directly to Daniel – yet it was broadcast to the nation on a BBC radio programme. the nation on a BBC radio programme. The word choice of “coming” gives me the idea that he has waited and wanted for him, and now that he has finally arrived his whole world has been turned upside down. He looks on things differently now and Daniel has caused him to re-evaluate the risks he has taken as a reporter. I feel that the writer’s use of imagery to convey information helps me to understand his thoughts and emotions throughout the letter. II know, know, II have lived a have lived a life that, on occasion, life that, on occasion, has has veeredveered close to the close to the edge: war zones, edge: war zones, natural disasters, natural disasters, darkness in all its darkness in all its shapes and forms.’shapes and forms.’

What tone is created in the 1. What tone is created in the apartmentapartment2. What has the birth of his son 2. What has the birth of his son brought Keane?brought Keane?1. What does the writer mean in his 1. What does the writer mean in his use of “days have melted into night”?use of “days have melted into night”? The divides between periods of time The divides between periods of time are blurred or removed and time are blurred or removed and time means nothing.means nothing.The writer’s profession and his daily The writer’s profession and his daily routine are both entwined and routine are both entwined and connected: successful work depends connected: successful work depends on the quiet.on the quiet. Narrative stance – ‘I’Narrative stance – ‘I’Word choice - ‘veered’Word choice - ‘veered’&&Sentence StructureSentence Structure express wonder and delight at how his life has changed as a express wonder and delight at how his life has changed as a result of becoming a father;result of becoming a father;Daniel wrote this book in the sixth century B.C. It records the events of Daniel’s life and the visions that he saw from the time of his exile in 605 B.C. ( 1:1) until 536 B.C., the third year of King Cyrus ( 10:1). Theme We had We had wanted youwanted you andand waited for youwaited for you, , imagined youimagined you andand dreamed about youdreamed about you…”…” The narrative changes from second to third The narrative changes from second to third person. The change removes or distances person. The change removes or distances him from the action initially. We expect a him from the action initially. We expect a story told in third person by a neutral and story told in third person by a neutral and omniscient author; but it becomes clear – omniscient author; but it becomes clear – through convincing detail - that he is telling through convincing detail - that he is telling his own storyhis own story

The new day, and the sight of dawn The new day, and the sight of dawn breaking, are symbolic of hope and breaking, are symbolic of hope and optimism.optimism.The sympathetic tone of this part of the letter reinforces the idea of regret and it evokes emotions of sadness from the reader. The Babylonian exile was not the end of Israel’s history of rebellion and judgment. In the future, Israel would continue to sin against the Lord, and Jerusalem would be handed over to her enemies, who would damage her temple and do other offensive things (chs. 8; 9; 12). Eventually, though, the anointed ruler would come to deliver God’s people from their sins ( 9:24–27). Keane effectively continues the tone set by his experiences as a war correspondent and having witnessed children's suffering to reflect on his own childhood in the third stage of the letter. The letter changes from first person narrative to third person and Keane begins the paragraph saying, " It begins thirty five years ago in a big city". This sounds like the start of a gritty fairytale. Alcohol is an occupational hazard for journalists; for me it went from being the comforting, relaxing presence that calmed the aftermath of witnessing bloody violence, to a self destructive compulsion, that taken to its logical conclusion would have taken my life just as I had seen it take the careers, marriages and lives of good friends and colleagues in newspapers and broadcasting. In the meantime, believers must be patient and faithful in a hostile world, looking to the Lord alone for deliverance ( 11:33–35).

NarrativeNarrative – Focus changed from – Focus changed from Daniel to father.Daniel to father.MetaphorMetaphor – Idea that his view of – Idea that his view of life has totally changed. Is this life has totally changed. Is this wholly positive?wholly positive? His reporting has been honoured with His reporting has been honoured with an Amnesty International Press award an Amnesty International Press award and an OBE for services to journalism. and an OBE for services to journalism. Question Selection: We guide students in selecting the most relevant and effective questions for analysis. reflect on the world his newborn son has entered;reflect on the world his newborn son has entered;4.4. use the letter as a sort of ‘time-capsule’ for his son to open use the letter as a sort of ‘time-capsule’ for his son to open Model Paragraphs: We offer exemplar paragraphs that illustrate top-notch analysis and writing skills.Reporting war can give us good reasons for drinking - but for some the "reason" eventually becomes the "excuse." Our trade is littered with its casualties. Surely FOOC - as we correspondents call it - was the place to talk about our experience of other people's lives and countries, not to reflect on our own. protective of Daniel. In Rwanda people were trying to kill each other because they were different race. In Fergal Keane's essay "letter To Daniel" the writer

His ego and need to please and His ego and need to please and receive praise outweighed his receive praise outweighed his own safety previously. He now own safety previously. He now finds this ridiculous notionfinds this ridiculous notionFrom Our Own Correspondent." As a BBC correspondent, Keane has reported from various international crises areas including tells his son how he is overjoyed about his son being born because his wife seems happier then ever as well as him. Also they were waiting for him to be