UNIT 1. IN THE NEWS

15ADV. UNIT 1. IN THE NEWS 

1. Reading a news report

1) Understanding a news report

Skimming or scanning?
Skimming and scanning are two different techniques for increasing reading speed.
Skimming is quickly identifying the main ideas of a text through strategies like reading the headline, the opening paragraph and the first sentence of the other paragraphs. Scanning is looking through the text for specific words or information.
We skim a report to either see if we're interested in the topic or just to get the general information. Then if we decide to examine the article in more depth, we scan it for the key information.

2) Identifying features of a news report

Common features of news reports
The headline carries key information that will help readers decide whether they want to read the article. CA woman jailed over homemade license plate The first paragraph usually has the same information as the headline with a few more details. When you are deciding whether to read an article, a good strategy is to skim the headline and the first paragraph. A woman was arrested yesterday for allegedly using a homemade Oregon license plate on her car, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The second paragraph is an expansion of the information in the first paragraph. It usually contains the first identification of the people and location of the incident. Sasha Banks, 30, from Rio Nuevo, Calif., was stopped on Pine Street Wednesday by a deputy who noticed her car was missing a rear license plate. Later paragraphs continue giving more specific information. In the last paragraph, you may find the results of the incident or how the story may develop in the future. Banks was charged with two offenses: operating a vehicle with a suspended registration and possessing a forged license plate. She is now being held in the county jail.
2. Listening to a news program 1) News report segments

Getting ready to listen

On news programs, the host, or anchor, often segments the show by topics. The day's top news stories lead, followed generally by national and international news, depending on the target audience; then sports, entertainment and weather. A program in a specific city might lead with the local news; and a show airing internationally may also have global topics such as science, health and the economy.

To follow a fast-paced news program that jumps to different topics, it's useful before listening to think about what current events you know, what language might be used in the broadcast and in what order the segments will appear. It's also helpful to think of some questions you'd like answered – for example, Who won the soccer match between Capital and Springfield?

2) Coping strategies for long newscasts

Listening for signal language

Following a long news program is challenging. One strategy for understanding major news broadcasts is to listen for key language that signifies an upcoming topic. We're going to begin with the big news today, the brand-new visa policy in Europe. And now, sports.Now let's turn to technology. A soccer result just in: Springfield Town one, Capital City two. Another strategy is to listen for signals that the anchor is going to shift to another reporter or someone being interviewed. Let's go live to my colleague Josh McMillan. Speaking from the steps of her Malibu mansion, the actress had this to say. Joining me in the studio, Penny Watford.

3) Guessing words from context 

Guessing meaning from context

When you encounter words or phrases you don't understand, you can often figure out their meaning by using the information around them. For example, when a reporter talks about policy positions, you might hear the word moderate. Moderates, who believe any change to carbon-emission targets must be made realistically, will be happy with the result. Here, the reporter explains moderates by adding information, saying they tend to believe in realistic goals. Then she uses the term hardliners. Hardliners, however, will be hugely disappointed that their demands for carbon emissions to be cut by half have been denied. With the word however, you can get the idea that hardliners are a contrast to moderates. The word demand suggests they might be more radical. 4) Features of complex speech

Complex speech

In news broadcasts, you'll often hear long and complicated speech. Understanding the complex structures can help you understand the speech.

Dependent clauses and participles

These phrases and clauses provide you with additional information.

Thomson later apologized, saying he had been misquoted.
You may recall Kelly LeMonde, who was the highest-grossing actress for the past two years, announcing her retirement.

Passive structures

You'll also hear passive structures in news programs, often as a way to focus on what happened, rather than on who did something.

If the current agreement is honored, and carbon emissions are reduced, only time will tell if it will be enough.

3. Understanding complex texts

1) Understanding a sequence of events 

Sequence of events
In a complex news article, events are not always mentioned in chronological order. For example, you might first read this:
	"The hardliners' ridiculous demands will have a huge negative impact on Europe's economy," he said defiantly, reiterating his earlier comments.
Then, to provide some background for the earlier comments, the writer may give details about earlier events, using phrases such as prior to and previously. Look closely at verb tenses, as they are also good indicators of sequence.
	Prior to the talks, Campbell had commented in a public speech that radical reduction would damage national economies.
Remember that sometimes the last paragraph in a news report is about final results or future actions, so look for those signs.
	A press conference has been scheduled for tomorrow morning, in which details about the decisions will be announced.

2) Complex reporting structures 

Modified reporting verbs
In news articles, writers will sometimes give their interpretation of what their subjects say and how they say it. One way writers do this is by modifying reporting verbs by adding adverbs and using reporting verbs with specific meanings, like assert and reiterate.
	"We did not fold to their ridiculous demands, and we will not fold in the future," he said proudly, reiterating his earlier promises.
Participle phrases
Paying attention to participle phrases can also add depth to your understanding, especially of the time and location of an event. In the sentence below, the writer begins with a participle phrase, then uses specialized words to convey a sense of the event.
	Speaking from the Parliament Building, a satisfied Campbell summarized what he believes the UK stands to gain in the talks. Using the passive in reports When it is not clear who did or said something, it is common to use a passive structure to report an event. It was reported prior to the final meeting that the hardliners' demands had been the biggest sticking point. Understanding interpretations To understand news articles at a sophisticated level, you must learn to spot adjectives, adverbs and other opinion markers that refer both to the people in the article and to the writer's own interpretation of events. This radical proposal was referred to as "a mindless move" by moderates like Joe Bergdorf, Irish energy minister. These demands were thrown out, with the majority voting for what some considered a more reasonable 10 percent reduction.

4. Writing a blog post 1) Narrative structure

Narrative structure
You can use narrative structure not just to describe events, but to make the action more engaging. The stages are: introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
The introduction presents characters in a situation or conflict that develops with increasing suspense.
	I was walking down the street to get some groceries, when I saw a pregnant woman with three children.

The introduction flows into rising action, a stage where the events become more intense and the conflict grows.  As the rising action reaches a peak, the climax, or turning point, is delivered.
	Suddenly, the woman stood still, eyes wide open, grabbing her belly. She was having her baby! I ran over to her and helped her and her children into a neighbor's house. She somehow lay down on the floor and began the intense and incredible process of delivering a baby.
The action slows after the climax into falling action, a stage where the conflict is extended.
	The mother's screams grew. At the same time, the neighbor was shouting into her cellphone for a doctor. The house seemed to shake with their fear. Minutes later, the air in the house was still.
Finally, falling action softens into the resolution, a stage where issues are resolved and the characters continue on, changed, into their new life.
	I was looking down at a stranger, exhausted and crying, holding her new, healthy baby girl in her arms. Until that walk to get some groceries, I never truly realized what a wonder childbirth is.

2) Making your writing interesting 

Engaging your reader

When you write a blog entry, you can make it more attractive to readers with engagement strategies.

Inversion

One technique is inversion. It refers to a reversal of the normal word order that's used at the beginning of a sentence. Notice in the second example of each pair how the verbs and adverbs are in different positions. I had never seen something like this.Never had I seen something like this! Long and hard did I stare at the image. Little did I know that I would discover a surprise. You can also use inversion in past, unreal conditional sentences. If I had known the secret, I wouldn't have done that. Had I known the secret, I wouldn't have done that. Use inversion with care, as it loses its effectiveness when overused. Parallel structure Another common technique to make your writing engaging is parallel structure. This involves the repetition of similar structures for emphasis and effect. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. The movie is fascinating to watch but frustrating to understand. The magazine shapes the reader, and the reader shapes the magazine. The more I think about it, the more worried I get. The dog ran across the yard, jumped over the fence and sprinted down the alley. I tried to write my report quickly, accurately and thoroughly. Action must be taken, and crime must be stopped.   Directness One last technique is to address your readers directly. I always avoid that. You wouldn't want people to get the wrong idea.  I was frustrated with our relationship. Do you ever feel that way? I mean, what would you think? Yesterday one of my coworkers told me what might well be the best story I’ve ever heard. For several years my coworker had been working with the Federal Security Service and now he is responsible for security issues in our company. Once upon a time, when he was a student, the Border Agency officers at the seaport of our city have intercepted a huge amount of goods that were being smuggled into the region in a shipping container. Action must be taken, and crime must be stopped. All special services were involved in the operation. The students of the Academy of Security Service were ordered to participate in a discharging operation. My colleague was among them. All details of the operation were kept in the strictest secret. That’s why nobody among the students had a clear idea of what was the reason of container discharge. Little did they know that they would discover a surprise. The students were discharging goods with pleasure as their eyes caught the canned meat. Once the discharge was completed, the total amount of smuggled cargo decrease by a hundred pounds. The same day in the evening the students proceeded by opening of canned meat to have a nutritious dinner, but just imagine their surprise when they found a pure heroin instead of delicious meat!