The articles should contain:
- an opening sentence that gives the key information somebody might be interested to know after having read the headline- for example: who? what? where? why?
- 1-3 follow up sentences giving further key information and/or background information about the story
- a quote to finish- something that somebody involved in the incident said about the events
You should write 90-110 words. If you write too much or too little your editor at the newspaper will be angry!
You should think about tenses: the first sentence will probably be either in the present continuous, present perfect or past simple. The rest will depend on your story.
Feel free to use the sentences we wrote in class as a starting point.
Feel free to use the sentences we wrote in class as a starting point.
Please write a least one story for me to be able to give you a mark. If you write more, I can focus your marks on your best one(s)!
Don't forget to include the headline at the top of the story!
The Headlines:
Don't forget to include the headline at the top of the story!
The Headlines:
- POLICE QUIZ ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP
- NUDISTS SEEK MORE SUPPORT
- MINISTER BACKS CANNABIS PLANS
- FASCIST PARTY IN POWER BID
- NEW CALLS TO HALT FUR TRADE
- POLICE AND DEMONSTRATORS CLASH IN CAPITAL
- BOXING BAN PLEA
- GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
Tomás García Mohedano
ResponderEliminar3. MINISTER BACKS CANNABIS PLANS
An unexpected turn of the events happened last Thursday at the american parliament. The Health minister surprised all the Chamber by saying that the government will support the law against cannabis trafficking in the country from now.
Those words caused a stir at the place, because no one expected such change of the direction, for the fight against cannabis in the United States. Few ministers were about yo appear after the meeting, especially the ones of the Health department.
"They are the most unexpected statements I've ever heard from a minister, particullary from Health" as the economics minister recognized.
6. POLICE AND DEMONSTRATORS CLASH IN CAPITAL
The last Friday, about 10 thousand people gathered throughout the city of Madrid (Spain), in their cause to overthrow the current political power. The march ended when the police was forced to intervene, just as the first riots started near the parliament.
All the people was shouting to the politicians to get them out "YOU! CRAVENS! FACE THE CONSEQUENCES!". Also, a citizen told us "they are shameless, they should all resign".
8. GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
The last Sunday, a group of "Greenpeace activists" rallied at the entrance of Port Luyshun, also known as Port Arthur (China). Due to various standards and banners that they were carrying, it could be seen that the reason for their presence there, blocking boat traffic, was because of the numerous whalers of the country.
"This is only another of the protests that we have been doing since 2008, when the whales started to be extinct because of the massive hunting", explained a member of the activists group.
Generally very good.You need to look at: Use of capital letters; use of articles; some verb agreements (peaople and police are ususally plural); alkso check your spelling
EliminarEste comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.
ResponderEliminarEste comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.
ResponderEliminarFascist Party in power bid.
ResponderEliminarDuring the last month the National Proud Party (NPP) has won voters thanks de National Bank scandal. This party proposed new anti-corruption policies that are interesting for some undecided voters, but behind these proposals a strong fascist ideology is hidden.
Some politicians start worrying about the growth of this party. John Smith, Blue Party senator, said that “It’s a scandal that the laws allow this type of parties still exist.” But the truth is that people are tired of the mismanagement of the traditional parties.
“They live like kings while we’re having trouble to pay our bills every month. They’re using our money” said a NPP voter.
Nudists seek more support.
Yesterday in front the City Hall, 300 people marched naked looking for more support from the city government. Their requests are about the right to be naked in public places.
The leader John Bonachon said that “If we have the right to be dressed, why we couldn’t have the right to be naked where ever we want to?. We just want them to respect our decision to not were clothes”.
At the end of the protest were small clashes between the nudists and the Popular Catholic church members that came out of mass in that moment. Police reported 40 nudists dead and 2 Catholics arrested.
Minister backs Cannabis plans.
Today begins the congress sessions that give rise to the legalization of marijuana in Spain. After several months of debate, the law will come out with the support of the government.
The health minister, Maria Sabina said “I’m very proud to be part of this government. The legalization is a big step for human rights... Actually I’m stoned right now bro.”
But there isn’t all happiness in the congress. Senator for the Super Catholic party , Pope Gepeto, explained us that allow the use of marijuana is the first step to transform the country in Satana’s paradise.
40 dead nudists is a 'small clash!'
EliminarThese were well written and fun to read. You need to look at how to use gerunds and infinitives correctly
Este comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.
ResponderEliminarNUDISTS SEEK MORE SUPPORT
ResponderEliminarTwenty members of “Nature Nudism Association” were arrested in front of the City Hall of Monterey where Nature Nudism Association members were calling for “a beach to feel free”.
Monterey has a total of three beaches and it’s forbidden in all of them to stay naked. That is the reason why part of the habitants in Monterrey are angry, who want to feel that they have total freedom to be naked even if it is on only one of the three beaches.
“Our right to show our bodies is being limited” said one member of the association.
POLICE AND DEMONSTRATORS CLASH IN CAPITAL
Yesterday about fourty thousand people began a march throughout the most important street of Madrid, Gran Via, in which the manifestants were protesting because of the new abortion law.
Tempers began to flare when part of the demonstrators started to confront the police, who was forced to intervene. For this reason the march had to be cancelled and the rest of the manifestants returned to their houses without showing their dissapointment against the abortion law.
There were several well-known faces in the crowd, including Women Association leader Violeta Dueñas, who declared that kind of actions don't represent the march.
GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
Yesterday has been confirmed that the 'research whaling' programme in the Southern Ocean will be cancelled for 2014. That is a really good notice for Greenpeace, association which has been trying to stop this animal abuse since a lot of years.
"The fight against whalers in Japan has ended" sayed Richard Vives, leader of Greenpeace.
Over the last twenty years Greenpeace has sent numerous ships to the Southern Ocean and activists have put themselves in risk to save a lot of whales. Unfortunately, this is only one of the many problems which has to fight.
You need to check some of your vocabulary- e.g. 'manifestants,' 'notice' and the use of 'stay'
EliminarSome sentences, such as 'Unfortunately, this is only one of the many problems which has to fight.' don't really make sense.
I award this a 7,5
EliminarPOLICE QUIZ ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP
ResponderEliminarA group of animal defenders call 'Animal Lovers', of recently creation, has been interviewed at their main site in Madrid. This group has been acting during the last three months with activities like marchs around the city and boycotts in animals centers. They demans animals freedom in the city. It's this behaviour that has made the police the police quizzed them in oreder to know more about their purposes.
"We attemp to sign a peace agreement between our organization an the society" said one of the main members of the group.
NUDISTS SEEK MORE SUPPORT
Nowdays nudism is an activity more common than people think. It's not weird to find nudism special areas in beaches, for example, but the point is the people who follow this ideals have been claiming nudism practice wherever they want.
On the other hand the rest of the people all over the world, aren't agree with the idea of living with the nudism every where. "It's not necessary they go showing their bodies in public, it's an scandal", one person said in an interview.
A nudism group has answered these criticism. "We are on our right of do what we want with our bodies, so we will fight for a law in our favour"
BOXING BAN PLEA
During the last boxing match in Moscow, Russia, a group of non violence bursted into and occupied the ring. Immediately after, the opposite group, that was watching the match,, began to attack the non violence group and the fight ended with five hurt people and the police acting.
Finally, the non violence group has asked for banning boxing, saying that boxing isn't a sport, it's only a way of violence generation. "All of us would be victims of this 'entertainments'" Said the group manager.
There are quite a few word order problems in your writing. For example in 'Nowdays nudism is an activity more common than people think. It's not weird to find nudism special areas in beaches'. You need to think more carefully about how you organise your sentences, and also look at your spellings.
EliminarCristina González Flórez
ResponderEliminarPOLICE QUIZ ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP
Rose Smith, leader of the animal rights group called "Save animals" was interviewed yesterday by police in order to find out if this group is involved in Excalibur's disappearance.
Excalibur is the dog of the Spanish nurse who became the first to contract the Ebola virus in Europe.
It disappeared yesterday from the nurse's home , exactly when Spanish authorities had ordered the dog to be put down as there were fears it could spread the deadly disease.
It is worth mentioning that this group had launched a campaign to save Excalibur. "We are going to do everything in our power to avoid Excalibur's death" wrote this group on their blog
This is good. Look up the difference between 'prevent' and 'avoid'.
EliminarMINISTER BACKS CANNABIS PLANS
ResponderEliminarHealth minister have changed his first decision and, at the moment, he seems to support the European Cannabis Plan. This strategy supposes to allow buying and consuming in some pub. Obviously, this has triggered that Tories take back their support to government. James Smith –conservator leader- has said: “This government seems to want a perverse and drugged young. Always, there were drugs and perhaps they will be here forever, but we have to avoid drug spread across the society”
FASCIST PARTY IN POWER BID
Will Europe be fascist again? Traditional parties have failed in Europe. In particular, the economic approaches and the corruption cases have provoked a distancing between politicians and people. This gap has triggered that some European fascist parties would seize power in next elections.
“We haven’t learnt” John Templeton, teacher of anthropology in Cambridge, has said, “When the traditional parties don’t respond, people look for another proposal. This situation has occurred in the past and will occur in the future”
GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
A new sea-battle has happened this weekend in the middle of the North Sea. Greenpeace activists and whalers have been fighting with a new kind of weapon. It seems to have started a new sort of war: stream of water, video cameras, GPS-positions, sms….
“The whaler-232 is at 56.518464 N and 3.510834 E. This text was received by us and then we went to film the activities of whalers. Before, we spread the recording and it provoked dozens of demonstrations in several capital of the world”. The captain of Rainbow Warriors notices to our journalist.
The first text is very difficult to understand. You should try to rewrite it.
EliminarLook up the verb 'notice' to see how we use it correctly.
How do you say, in English 'quiero que vayas'? The verb 'trigger' follows the same pattern.
GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
ResponderEliminarLast Wednesday, Greenpeace won the fight against the Japanese new draft bill. It had been approved by the Japanese Congress but, finally, the U.N. court has halted the process after the known NGO presented his Manifesto for biodiversity and the protection of whales. Greenpeace provided evidences that this draft bill sought to cover up for scientific whaling for commercial purposes. Thanks to them, the Court of Justice of the United Nations revoked the bill, with 12 votes in favour and 4 against. Clearly, as Tom Wright, a spokesman for Greenpeace, said “this halt is an important step towards the survival of protected species”.
NUDIST SEEK MORE SUPPORT
The National Association of Nudists Britain looks for sponsors. This time, the association is looking for funds for an event which is going to take place in Brighton, birthplace of nudism in our country. On April 1st, it is the twenty-fifth birthday of the opening of the first legalized nude beach in Britain and the NANB wants to celebrate it with a memorable ceremony. The president of the association, John Club, has stated that “it is a clear opportunity for any brand that wants to show their nonconformity to society and rebels against the standards. Besides, it is estimated that an amount of 2 million people are going to attend”.
BOXIN BAN PLEA
The director of school Saint Michel, James Kelly, has submitted an appeal to ban boxing as an optional activity to the Council of Extracurricular Activities in the City of Winchester. Two months ago, the Council has approved this activity for students to practice it as other sports in their leisure. The problem is that, in the last breaks, some of the children who play this sport mistreat their colleagues. Parents are divided on the different solutions that can be taken and, therefore, the director believes that "the most effective way of tackling the problem is by suppressing the activity".
These are very good, though you need to look at some typos.
EliminarPOLICE QUIZ ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP
ResponderEliminarYesterday there was a protest against bullfighting in Las Ventas, the most important bullring in Spain. There was many people defending animal rights in a pacific way, but some of them threw eggs at those attending the bullfight. So, the police had to intervene and quiz them.
One woman observing all said the controversy about bullfighting is difficult to solve because bullfighting is an important part of Spanish popular culture, and defenders of animal rights only want the Government to ban this spectacle, but if they do it, wild bull would be extinguished. She finished: “The only solution is to keep bullfighting bloodless.”
GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
In 2010 Japan awarded itself a scientific permit to kill whales. The last years Greenpeace has been considering this is just an excuse for going on hunting whales. On the other hand, Japanese whalers have doubled the area of hunting in the millions of square kilometers of ocean to the south of Australia and the area south of New Zealand just for foiling plans of activists. Greenpeace goes on foiling whalers with his Rainbow Warrior II, but they have to sail a lot of miles for finding them.
Although Japan has decreased the number of whale captures, Greenpeace suspect it is being driven largely by the fact that sales of whale meat in Japan are poor and they need to cut operating costs.
NEW CALLS TO HALT FUR TRADE
The Spanish actress Penélope Cruz is the latest celebrity who has joined the fight to ban the use of fur trade, today announced the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
PETA unveiled a huge billboard on the outside of Madison Square Garden in New York in which Penélope Cruz turns his head to look over her naked shoulder with the phrase: "Give fur the cold shoulder."
The billboard will be maintained for the next two weeks, when Fashion Week is held in New York. PETA is planning to place similar ads in the most important towns in Europe.
"Penelope Cruz has appeared on every list of 'best dressed' in the world but they will never see her wearing fur" said her agent in New York.
Think about- how to form the second conditional; word order (subject- verb)
EliminarEste comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.
EliminarDear Ely,
EliminarLast day you told me that I needed to review number 6, but I didn't do that number. I did number 1, 5 and 8. Would you mind to tell me which of them will I correct? Thanks.
NEW CALLS TO HALT FUR TRADE
ResponderEliminarLast Monday in Jieyang, China, hundreds of naked people broke into a fur tanning facility. They protested against fur trade, which is the very heart of Jienyang’s economy.
It all began at 13:00 am, when the employees of the facility opened the gates to receive a new order of materials. They waited till 13:15, when four lorries drove into the facility’s parking zone skipping all the usual protocols.
All of a sudden, hundreds of people jumped down the lorries and ran inside the facility shouting against the fur trade and forcing the employees to stop all the machinery.
“This is thoughtless.” said Shong Lee, one of the workers, “if we don’t work for an hour, it gets deducted from our wages.”
GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
Yesterday morning the whaler ship “Irish Rover” was boarded by the “Esperanza”, the largest of the Greenpeace’s fleet, in an action to avoid ships to sail into Norway and Iceland waters where they are supposed to hunt whales.
The Irish Rover remained stop for half a day till the crew agreed to sail back home.
“This is not just about stopping whalers, but about to send a message to the world. If we don’t buy whale-made products, whalers will stop hunting.” said Iam Smith, from Greenpeace.
On the other hand, Mick McCann, the skipper of the Irish Rover, said “Those treehuggers are so green and principled, but they still use oil to feed their ship, don’t they?”
Generally very good, though we would say 'whaling ship'. You also need to check th use of gerunds and infinitives.
EliminarPablo Baraona
ResponderEliminarPOLICE AND DEMOSTRATORS CLASH IN CAPITAL
Members of independentist and nationalist groups were arrested during St. Patricks's march day after few cars were set on fire.
The riots took place when the traditional parade went through McAurney Abbey, where a group of self called “Loyalist” were waiting to scream far-right slogans and show flags and other “British National Symbols”, it took less than ten minutes to turn the march into a small battlefield where police and firemen had to intervene.
“I really don't like violence in this events” says Robb, a demonstrator “But, how can you blame it? That group were sabotaging our celebration, it's like you can't be proud of being Irish in Belfast, and the worst of all is that it's not new... ”
MINISTER BACKS CANNABIS PLAN
Media announced yesterday that Health Minister Mackencie, will support the law about cannabis legalisation.
The law that come up as a popular consultation seems to have been accepted in a good grade by the Health Department, although, only the Minister and no one of the experts have talked to the media in order to “don't spread false rumours”.
“We are studying the law from a medical point of view” said Mackencie “We don’t know if this plan its going to success, but we haven't find any reason to shut it down, and we think it would be a great step if goes forward.”
Nice writing, especially in the first article
Eliminar'Blame' needs a human direct object in this case however.
In the second text your control of the language reduces, and you should look at both your grammar and your vocabulary there.
GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
ResponderEliminarAccording to Greenpeace, the trade of whale meat and products"violetes the International ban againts endangered species".
Greenpeace claims that this trade is illegal and sanctions must be toughen to stop killing whales for good."It is high time for whalers to pay a price for its inhumane and illegal slaughter of whales"
Over 30.000 whales have been killed since the ban on commercial whaling (hunting for commercial profit) was introduced in 1986.
In some countries, like Norway, Japan...use a loophole which allows countries to hunt whales for "research purposes" said Keneat Brian spokeman of Greenpeace:" We think whaling should stop.Ban or no ban, whaling remains inhumane and whales are unsuitable for use by humans in this way".
Grenade harpoons are often used to kill whales forcing them to be subjeted to a long, slow and painful death.
There is some very good wriing here, very clearly expressed.
EliminarHowever, when you use a passive, make sure the verb is in the correct form.
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EliminarNEW CALLS TO HALT FUR TRADE
ResponderEliminarCampainers againts fur animal trade estimate that over two million dogs and cats are killed in China every year.
They said that, not only this animals are killing but also farms animals such as minks and rabbits that makes over half of the world's fur products.
Campainers said that "People in every country in the world should boycott chinese goods".The fur trade, mostly feeds markets in the US and Europe.Most of this fur is not for the Chinese market.
Frequently, products made from fur are deliberately mislabeled as others species fur and exported to the United States to be sold to unsuspecting consumers in retael stores.Most people wearing dog and cat fur don't even know it!
No regulations exist to govern fur farms in China which allows fur farmers to slaughter animals.Recent undercover investigations in China have found horrors beyond belief.Chinese fur farm conditions make a mockey of the most elementary animal welfare standards. Dogs and cats are denied any type of compassion.
GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
ResponderEliminarFour Italian whalers were obstructed yesterday by a group of members of Greenpeace while they were trying to catch whales at the Mediterranean Sea.
Since the Italian government passed a law allowing whaling in Italy, thousands and thousands of ships arrive every day at Italian waters. But Greenpeace wants to impede that kind of animal abuse and they’re doing a lot of actions, like the one that took place yesterday.
“Whales are animals, they can’t defend themselves and that is why we are here” said one of the members of Greenpeace. “They can’t speak so we’re here to be the voice that they don’t have”
POLICE AND DEMONSTRATORS CLASH IN CAPITAL
After a nudist protest march that took place this Sunday along the streets of the centre of London, some nudists hit the police and started a bloody fight.
The peaceful protest march was finishing when a group of violent nudists started hitting the police, throwing them things and burning containers. As a result of that, the police answered with police charges and, at the end of the pitched battle, 8 demonstrators had been arrested.
“We had come from Liverpool with our 2 sons for a pacific protest march, not for this” said a father. “It’s a pity that occur this kind of things”
Violent nudists, burning things too! That's either kind of brave, or extremely foolhardy!
EliminarGenerally very good writing.
Check your use of prepositions; also we 'take action'.
Also look how we use the verb 'to throw'.
Blanca Gómez
ResponderEliminarBOXING BAN PLEA
A great part of the population from a little north village has signed a petition to ban any activity related to boxing after the terrible incidents last Saturday night. Mark William, 16, had to be taken to the hospital in a coma after participating on an illegal boxing competition in the local gym. Although the proprietor of the gym has declared that everything was legal and the boy used to go there to practice boxing, police arrested him accused of being responsible of the incident. Now, Mark´s parents have started a campaign against the gym and every boxing activity. “We have to protect our children from those who want to take advantage of them whatever the cost is”, they´ve said. “Those people aren´t sportsmen, they only care about money”. Boxing has always been a very popular activity among young people and teenagers, but this facts have let this little and calm village in real shock.
MINISTER BACKS CANNABIS PLANS
Yesterday, Health Minister announced his support to the Government´s plan to legalize cannabis use in medical therapy. Months after announcing the possibility of allowing cannabis consumption to cancer patients and after a lot of reports from specialists, the ministry has concluded that its consumption may be used during the treatment as a complement to decrease the pain. This announcement, however, has created a big controversy, and some groups pro cannabis have immediately claimed a total legalization. The prime Minister has insisted that this is an exceptional case and it looks following other countries´ suit that have legalize cannabis medical use.
This is well-written overall.
ResponderEliminarYou need to check your prepositions.
Hello Eli,
EliminarI think the correct one would be [...] after participating IN an illegal boxing competition [...]
I don´t know if there are more mistakes.