Friday, May 25, 2012
PASSWORD
The Use of English Paper tests my knowledge of grammar & vocabulary. I have 45 minutes to cover 4 tasks.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
B&B for next class
- Read info about ARTICLES and REVIEWS
- Write your article or review ( follow the instructions on Booklet M2 page 49)
Features of ARTICLES and REVIEWS
ARTICLES:
Style:
- Informal to neutral
* It depends on what magazine it is for (ex : young people magazine : more informal, business/travel magazine : more neutral)* Avoid the use of formal expressions (ex: Besides, moreover, likewise.. /I would like to give an opposite idea..)
Basic advice
- It should be interesting and catch the reader’s attention.
- Use informal language to involve the reader (ex : Once Carnival starts, the whole town goes crazy!)
- Remember to express your opinion (ex: I love the giant street dolls.)
Structure
1. Heading: think of an interesting title.
2. Introductory paragraph linked to the title: to make the reader interested in the topic, try to use a question.
3. One or two more paragraphs: develop your main points.
4. A final paragraph: summarize the main points and give your concluding opinion or express your feelings.
Useful language:
Involving the reader
1. Are you thinking of (getting married in the near future)?
2. I’m sure you’ll agree (it was a great idea.)
Developing your points
1. Let’s start with (why it is so important to take plenty of exercise).
2. Another advantage (of using a computer is that..)
3. On top of that,…
Giving your own opinion
1. I think that/ In my opinion (traditional celebrations are very important).
2. It seems to me that (people are much more aware of the importance of a good diet nowadays.)
REVIEWS:
A review should…
- use interesting vocabulary.
- try to catch the reader’s interest.
- be clearly organized.
- use a neutral style, but you have to check who you are writing the review for.
What should you do before you start review writing…
- be sure about what you are reviewing and its purpose
- check who will read it.
- decide what style you will use for your review.
- be careful not to follow a report style.
Useful language
1. Introduction: say what you are reviewing.
- The (film, book…etc) I would like to review is…..
- The last Film I saw / book I read was…….
2. Explain: give details of what you reviewing.
- It’s set in……….
- The story is based on (a book..) …..
- It’s about…..
- There are many memorable characters including ….
- The main theme of the film is…..
- What the film is saying is…..
3. Opinion: give your own opinion of what you are reviewing.
- I would recommend this film to anyone.
- Although I enjoyed it, I would not recommend it for….
- It’s one of the best (shows) I’ve ever seen.
- Although I am not normally keen on (musicals), I am glad that I decided to go.
- The (film) lifts you out of your everyday life.
Friday, May 18, 2012
EXAMPLE of an ARTICLE and a REVIEW
I've always wanted to do snowboard
Have you ever tried to jump over a mountain with nothing but a piece of wood? It has to be an amazing experience, but certainly not easy.
There are many reasons to try. Think about the places to do it, the connection with nature, the rush of adrenaline when you’re in your way down. You may think there are reasons to avoid doing it: it is risky and fear is an option!
For me, it’s about facing our fears and cross the line between a nice holiday time and an unforgettable adventure. I’ve never stand on skis but with a bit of training and the right equipment I'll be ready for action.
All in all, is easier to write than to do snowboard. Either way, is easier to fall down than to jump... But don’t you think it’s worthy to try? Would you get up and go on after the first hit in your face? Of course you will, because it’s more embarrassing to remain down!
“Rec” is a Spanish horror movie, released in 2007, directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza. It’s got great recognition among the critics and the public, to the point an American remake has been filmed recently. Generally speaking, the movie fits into the zombie genre quite well, presenting most of the category’s strong features and even adding some original aspects to the mixture.
The story follows a television reporter, named Angela Vidal (Manuela Velazco) and her cameraman Pablo (Pablo Rosso) as they cover the nightlife on a fire station. After some almost annoying minutes of Angela, who at this point starts to get on your nerves, just going round the mostly deserted station, the alarm sounds and the crew joins Manu and Alex, two firemen dispatched to help an old lady that apparently has fallen in her apartment. Once they arrive there, they are joined by two policemen and the building tenants. All seems quite ordinary at first, but soon things get out of hand, as the old lady attacks one of the policemen by biting his neck, and even worsen when they find out they have been quarantined inside the building by the military forces with no explanation as to why.
The plot is simple enough as to not get in the way of the action and gore, but that does not mean it isn’t there, with an interesting twist at the end. It is filmed in the almost clichéd hand-held style, that in this case adjusts well to the story and adds a lot to the terror of the movie. The acting is good, as far as the genre allows, you won’t see any award winning moment, but it won’t annoy you either.
To sum things up, [Rec] is an excellent zombie movie that will greatly surprise any genre fan and that might even convert a lot of non-believers.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
INFORMAL vs FORMAL STYLE
INFORMAL:
Phrasal verbs
Shorter sentences
Shorter connectors
Personal style
Shortened verb forms
Active sentences
Exclamations, questions and tags
Leave out words such as pronouns
Use slang or colloquial language
No modals in general
FORMAL:
Single-word verbs
Longer sentences
Longer connectors
Impersonal tone
No contractions in verbs
Passive sentences
Polite phrases
Use complete sentences
Use formulaic language
Use of modal verbs
B&B for next class:
- Solve Writing Paper Part 1 ( Page 48 Booklet M2)
- Extra practise: Let's visit the page
and solve excercises corresponding to the beginning, the body and the ending of a formal letter.
Good luck!!!!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
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