It is written to - stmichaelschool.edu.mt

It is written to:

provide information

• describe a place/

event/experience,

present an argument

offer advice

narrative

An article is a type

of writing for a:

Magazine

newspaper

brochure

leaflet

1 An article can

be:

formal

informal

2 3

If the article is going to be published

in a leaflet or brochure or magazine,

you can include subheadings before

each paragraph.

Are children influenced by what is shown on television? What can be done to

prevent television programmes having a negative influence on children?

Write an article covering these points, to be published in a magazine for

young adults.

Television has become an important part of everyday life and children today

spend hours watching a variety of programmes. These facts have led people

to question whether television viewing adversely influences children, and if so,

to wonder what can be done to prevent such negative influence.

TV: a blessing for your child

Supporters of television, such as the representatives of TV channels, claim that

there is no need for concern. To support their opinion they cite studies by

psychologists which indicate that children are not indiscriminate viewers.

In fact, they maintain that not only do children tend to choose programmes

that pass on positive messages, but also that they are able to distinguish

between reality and fiction, and are thus not negatively effected by what

they watch.

Too much screen time is bad for your child

On the other hand, research has been conducted that contradicts the above

findings. This second body of research indicates that the increased depiction

of gratuitous violence and immortality in television programmes has indeed

effected today’s youth and is directly related to the increase in juvenile crime

and the breakdown of moral values in society. Furthermore, the experts

responsible for this research have suggested steps that might be taken to

solve this problem.

Advice to parents

One way to prevent television’s negative influence would be for the

government to censor the content of certain violent or immoral programmes.

Types of broadcasts that are felt to exert negative influences could be shown

only late at night when children are not likely to be watching. In this way the

degree to which children might be exposed to negative influences would be

limited.

In addition, parents could monitor what their children watch and take the

responsibility of changing channels or switching off the television set when

they feel the programme being viewed may be harmful, thus ensuring their

children are not exposed to negative influences.

In conclusion, it may be said that it is not yet possible to ascertain if, or to what

extent TV negatively influences children. However, as the possibility does exist,

it might be wise to take precautionary measures such as those mentioned

above. After all, as is often said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of

cure.”

From Successful Writing Proficiency

By Virginia Evans (page 140)

General

Write a headline (before you write the article) and a subheading (before

each new paragraph except for the introduction and conclusion).

Introduction

Write an interesting lead-in paragraph which would be your introduction.

Body (2-4 paragraphs)

Write a paragraph for each point new mention (and subheading)

Conclusion

Summarise the main points in the article, write opinions, comments,

recommendations, etc.

A headline is a short title.

clear idea about the topic, interesting headline

Follow rules -

1. Use the Present Simple for recent events (Typhoon kills ten);

2. Leave out the verb to be (Cyclist was injured);

3. Omit articles a, an, the (Man was questioned in Arson Case);

4. Leave out prepositions to, from, etc. as in New York plane crashes; &

5. Use abbreviations like UK, US, FBI.

• SOME EXAMPLES OF ARTICLES AND HEADLINES:

• HTTPS://WWW.BBC.COM/NEWS/WORLD-AUSTRALIA-47112044

• HTTPS://WWW.BBC.COM/NEWS/WORLD-EUROPE-47116059

Decide:

where the article is going to appear (magazine, leaflet)

who is going to read it (audience– students, people in general)

why you are writing it ( describe a place, give information, give advice, to

report news.)

If it’s an opinion essay, decide if you agree with the question presented or

not.

Use:

linking words (In addition, furthermore, on the whole, to sum up, but, even

though, etc.)

suitable descriptive words (adjectives) and ways of telling a story (narration.)

Use polite and persuasive language

Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence.

Arouse writers’ interest:

a)Description of a holiday destination- Use of adjectives

(The Untamed Wilderness of the Scottish Highlands)

b) Presentation of opinion/argument/solutions – Address the reader directly

(What you can do to save the Planet…)/ Present a question (Are recycling

bins the answer?)

c) Short statements (The Role of Women Today)

d) Avoid using simple language (good, bad). Use (splendid, awful).

I entirely agree that

I completely disagree that

I tend to believe that

This is certainly not the case in

my country where

Although this may be true, it is

not necessarily…

This may be true in some

cultures…

I feel there is more to it than…

It is a fact that…

It should not be forgotten/

overlooked that…

Some/Many children expressed

the opinion/ concern that…

In at least one case….

Another complaint/problem…

It is/ was also felt that

To list and

add points

First of all, To start/begin with/ Firstly, Secondly, In

addition to, Furthermore, Besides, etc.

To introduce or

list pros

The main/first/ second/ most important advantage of In

the first place/ in my view/ One/ Another/An additional

advantage of is…., One point of view in favour of….,

What is more, Moreover, Apart from this, It is often

suggested/believed/argued that…, Some/Many people

suggest/feel/argue/ are convinced that…., Another

major reason/ I believe/ the way I see itetc.

To introduce

contrasting

Viewpoints

The main/most important disadvantage/drawback/con

of the …., One/Another/An additional disadvantage

of…., One point/argument against the …, Some/Many

people are against/ believe …, etc.

It is argued that/People argue that/ There are people

who opposite/ Contrary to what most people believe/

As opposed to the above ideas

To list examples For example/for instance, such as, therefore, because,

for this reason, such as, etc.

To show contrast On the other hand, However, but, Although, Even

though, Despite the fact that/ In spite the fact that, etc.

To introduce a

conclusion

In conclusion, To conclude/ To sum up, All in all, Finally,

All things considered, Taking everything into

consideration, etc.