The noticeboard’s empty corners

Text: an original contemporary opinion-column-style practice extract.

The community noticeboard was full of opportunities to do things and short of opportunities to read about them. A language class disappeared beneath a dog-walking leaflet. The date of a furniture sale had acquired a drawing pin through its final digit. Somebody had attached a notice about keeping the board tidy to three other notices.

At the monthly clearance, the caretaker removed events whose dates had passed. An organiser arrived and protested that her group was still meeting. The notice had advertised last month’s session, he explained; it could not tell a new visitor about next week. They agreed to put up a version with a contact number and space for a changing date. The board needed fewer permanent claims to its corners and more information that could remain useful.

By evening, the cleared spaces looked almost wasteful. They were doing a job. A person could find the next event without peeling back somebody else’s invitation. A public noticeboard does not become more generous simply by refusing to remove anything. Sometimes an empty corner is the part that lets a new voice arrive.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to interest and engage the reader.

In your answer, consider:

• language features and techniques
• structural techniques
• the effect on the reader.

Support your views with detailed reference to the extract.