S. Müller 2013 14
Englisch
Media
Ideas on Composition TOPICS
Group 1:
You are contributing an article to The Learning Network of The New York Times, a site aimed at pupils and teachers, about the impact of Internet shopping on society. Write the article. (Abitur 2013)
Introduction: example of internet shopping. E.g. Amazon
Advantages: open 24/7, large choice, good price because of ability to compare different offers
HOWEVER: credit card fraud, privacy issues (use your information for customized advertising)
MEDIA literacy: make kids aware of the dangers, teach them strategies to navigate purchases online PAY ATTENTION: addressee (students and teachers), topic ONLY refers to online shopping (don’t get side-tracked
Group 2:
“Our printing press is the Internet. Our coffee houses are social networks.” Heather Brooke (British- American journalist). Comment on this statement.
Introduction: quote/Dating
Gutenberg Bible introduced people to a method to spread ideas to a wider audience Internet is the platform to do that: Facebook (social media), blog entries about vacations of any kind of topic
People communicate on WhatsApp, meet people via social media (Facebook), so there is no need to go out and meet in a place because you can communicate worldwide.
GOOD or BAD?
Group 3:
You have taken part in a study “four weeks without electronic devices”. The four weeks are over now and you describe your experience in an Internet blog. (Abitur 2011)
Describe the experiment.
Experiences: withdrawal (examples) BUT also relief (not being able to be reached)
Advice
Group 4:
Describe and interpret the following cartoon. Comment on its message. (Abitur 2011)
Source
Description
Background information: electronic devices enable people to communicate with others (instant messaging) Cartoonist’s message: lack of socially appropriate behaviour/people are sucked into the online world- no social skills WARNING
Personal opinion “Comment on….” AGREE or DISAGREE
Group 5:
Thanks to social media, loneliness is a thing of the past. Do you agree? (Abitur 2013)
Introduction: “friends” on Facebook
YES: can communicate with people worldwide 24/7, has enabled cyber bullying
NO: No need to mingle with other people, so when you are offline, there is nobody (only know people for a chat- but no true friendship)
QUESTIONS on the TEXT
REALITY TV
Murder on the air. GREEN LINE NEW Oberstufe p. 213
1. Characterize the distinguished broadcaster, the poet and the shadow minister.
Broadcaster: intellectual, appalled by the events, feels superior (showing his knowledge about Ancient Rome) condescending
Shadow Minister: wants to be important and in the spotlight, makes it a political issues
Poet: feels superior “the mob” (l. 16), intelligent, feels superior (reference to the games in Ancient Rome to keep the masses entertained)
2. Explain how Geraldine justifies the continuation of the show and describe her true motives.
“Genuine public interest” (p. 214, 23)
Audience empathizes with contestants and so they are traumatized by the events; they need to cope with this loss, so the show can help them to come to terms with this
“Elitist” (p. 214,41); “That is totally unacceptable in a modern democracy” (p. 214, 44)
- The audience cannot decide themselves if they want to watch; educated people responsible will take away the audience’s freedom
- Would be unfair because events are already online, so it is only fair to give people without a PC the opportunity to watch the events
TRUE MOTIVE: crucial moment in her career, make money
3. Reality TV is not a new invention. Explain when this form of entertainment existed in the past and describe the effect this comparison has on the reader.
Gladiator fights in Ancient Rome:
- Similarities: conflict between people who are forced into the arena, in order to survive they must win the audience’s favour, audience wants to be entertained
- Difference: audience nowadays calls in to vote for candidate; in Rome people raised or lowered their thumbs
→ Reader is influenced by this comparison to be against the show because people consider the gladiator games as something inhumane
Composition
Here is the WORKSHEET regarding important advice when writing an essay/comment (You can also find an example of an introduction)
Language Exercises
Literature
Videos of important pieces of literature, e.g. Shakespeare's plays,Fitzgerald, Hawthorne etc. Sparksnotes
Performances of Shakespeare's sonnets [1]
NGOs
Choose ONE non-governmental organisation (NGO) from the list and find information regarding its
- Objectives/ Principles
- History
- Activities
- Personal opinion about the organisation
Create a SHORT handout with the most important information
Be ready to present your information with ONE picture which represents the organisation best
NEWS presentation
September 27, 2016: Eva W.
October 7, 2016: Sarah S.
October 11, 2016: Sophia W.
October 18, 2016: Jasmin W.
October 25, 2016: Rajin B.
November, 8, 2016: Dorothea H.
News presentation gives information on THREE important news items from the English speaking world. If the news of global relevance you may
include it in your presentation. The presentation should be no longer than 5-8 minutes and include pictures.
You might find these websites useful for your research.
USA
Great Britain
Australia
Canada
Useful Stuff
Here you can find some useful information on writing a comment [2]
You can find additional information in your book on pages 268/269
Useful transitions between the different parts of your comments [3]
The website ego4u [4] provides ample possibilities for you to practise your English (grammar, vocabulary etc.)
Useful phrases for different occasions English conversation phrases
Voice opinions Agreeing and disagreeing
Sentence Cohesion Linking ideas and arguments
Sentence Cohesion Conjunctions and fill words
How to answer questions
Here you can find list of connectives
