UNIT 3 - Newspapers

1. WRITING HEADLINES
- Headlines (titulars): they are important because they grab the reader's attention and provide a concise summary of
the main point or key information in an article. They serve as a tool to quickly communicate the essence of a story
and attract people to read further.
- Characteristics of headlines: conciseness, clarity, engagement, relevance, attractiveness, accuracy, tone. Articles,
auxiliary and main verbs, nouns and pronouns are omitted from the headlines meanwhile abbreviations, commas,
full stops, numbers and exclamation marks are used.
- How to turn a sentence into a headline:
1. Identify the core message
2. Simplify language
3. Prioritize key information
4. Keep it short and engaging
5. Test for impact or accuracy

Examples:
- Sentence: Local volunteers are organizing a community cleanup event to enhance our neighborhood.
- Headline: Join us! Community Cleanup Event to Enhance Our Neighborhood.

- S: The new restaurant offers a diverse menu with international flavors and a cozy atmosphere.
- H: Discover Diverse International Flavors at Our Cozy New Restaurant.

- S: A drunk driver caused an accident on route 95, which resulted in two people being killed.
- H: Fatal Accident on Route 95 Caused by Drunk Driver.

Language devices used in headlines:

Play on words → words with more than one meaning.

Examples: 1) Soup-er Bowl Sunday: Local Chef Scores with Gourmet Chili.
"Soup-er Bowl" combines "super bowl" with the main idea of a delicious soup, playing on the word super.
2) Fry-Day Fun: New Fry Joint Fries Up Excitement.
"Fry-Day" combines "Friday" with the focus on fries, creating a fun association.

*A play on words is a clever and humorous use of language that manipulates multiple meanings or similar sounds of words
to create a witty or amusing effect.

Cultural references → references to well-known aspects of a certain culture.

Examples: Literary Allusion - Local Library's New Chapter: A Cinderella Story for Book Lovers.
Music Allusion - Company's Growth Strategy: Planning for Success, DJ Style.
Film Allusion - Local Bakery's Sweet Success: Cupcakes So Good, Disney Would Approve.
*An allusion is a quick reference to something well-known, like a person, place or event, to help express a point or create a
certain effect in writing.

Alliteration → the use of the same sounds (consonants) at the beginning of several words.
Examples: Sally sells seashells by the seashore. / Fiona's fluffy friend is a funny fox.
*Alliteration is when words in a sequence begin with the same sound or letter, creating a rhythmic and catchy effect.

Empathic language → words which have a strong and powerful effect.

Examples: 1) Non-Empathic - Missed Bus Causes Tardiness.
Empathic - We've All Been There: Coping with Unexpected Delays.
2) Non-Empathic - Rainy Weather Spoils Picnic Plans.
Empathic - Adapting to Weather Surprises: Making Indoor Picnic Fun.
*Empathic language involves using words that show understanding, compassion and sensitivity towards others' feelings
and experiences. It helps build a connection and cares for emotional well-being.
 2. ANALYZING NEWSPAPERS AND ARTICLES

Differences between them:

BROADSHEET TABLOIDS

DEFINITION It's a big newspaper that has serious news and is It's a smaller newspaper known for short articles,
more formal celebrity news and catchy headlines

SIZE Larger Smaller

CONTENT In-depth coverage, analysis and serious Shorter articles, sensationalism and entertainment,
Journalism. Longer articles and extensive topics prioritizing celebrity news and gossip

LAYOUT Formal and organized with wide columns of More compact with shorter columns and larger
text. More traditional and structured design images

TARGET Educated and mature readership Broader audience, readers who prefer lighter content
AUDIENCE

PERCEPTION Quality journalism and professionalism Entertainment and more informal style of reporting

EXAMPLES The New York Times, The Washington Post, The The Sun, Daily Mail, The Globe
Guardian

Slant: refers to a particular perspective or bias in presenting information. It can involve shaping a story in a way that
highlights certain aspects while minimizing others, influencing the reader's perception.

Journalese language: is a style of writing commonly used in journalism, characterized by concise and straightforward
language to communicate information quickly and efficiently in news and articles.

Examples: Instead of Say → Report / Instead of Use → Utilize / Instead of Start → Launch / Instead of End → Wrap up

How does journalese (or tabloidese) create surprise-value seemingly routine stories?
By employing vivid language, unique phrasing and attention grabbing headlines.

JOURNALESE WORDS MEANING JOURNALESE WORDS MEANING

Vows (vots) Mistake Feud/Clash/Showdown Investigation

Row (fila) To resign (dimitir) Wed To question

Blunder (equivocar) To promise Quits Attempt, effort

Fury (fúria) To marry Bid (oferta) Anger

Quiz Argument Probe Confrontation, Rivalry

VOCABULARY:
- Muggers: roba-maletes
- Low-level disorder: desordre de baix nivell
- Law-abiding: respectuós de la llei
- Fed-up with: estar fart d'algo
- Terrorise: aterroritzar
- Ban: prohibició
- Crime epidemic: epidèmia criminal
- Outsider: foraster
- Yobs: mal educats
- Shoplifting: robatori a les botigues
- Weapon: arma
Cohesion techniques are very important when writing any type of text. The use of pronouns is one of the most employed
techniques to avoid repetition.

3. PLANNING AND WRITING A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Seven steps for writing an article:

1. Brainstorm the topic (write down ideas related to the article)
2. Research the story
3. Plan (organize and paragraph your ideas)
4. Write the introduction
5. Write the main body of the article
6. Conclude
7. Check your article for mistakes

The body of a news article typically includes:

1. Description of events (descripció esdeveniment) Presents factual details about the events, addressing key
journalistic questions.
2. Quotations (cites). Incorporates direct quotes from relevant individuals to provide diverse perspectives.
3. Attribution/Sources (atribució/fonts). Attributes information to reliable sources for transparency and credibility.
4. Details (detalls). Enriches the narrative with specific details to improve understanding.
5. Emotionality (emocionalitat). Balances objectivity but may include emotional elements to engage readers.
6. Objectivity (objectivitat). Maintains impartiality, presenting facts without personal bias or opinions.
7. Logical flow (flux lògic). Follow a logical structure for clear organization and reader comprehension.
UNIT 4 - Cinema

1. THE ELEMENTS OF A FILM

- Screenplay: guió
- Screenwriter: guionista
- Cast: repartiment (actors)
- Plot: trama
- Soundtrack: banda sonora
- Diegetic sounds: sons creats pels personatges, objectes o esdeveniments (diàlegs)
- Production manager: cap de producció
- Costume designer: dissenyador/a de vestuari
- Composer: compositor/a

Five stages of making a film:

1. Development: cast is selected, film crew is hired and locations are chosen.
2. Pre-production: dialogue is edited, music tracks are recorded, sound effects and special effects are added.
Everything is combined.
3. Production: the story is selected, screenplay is written and funding (finançament)
4. Post-production: film is released, duplicated, distributed to cinemas and advertised
5. Distribution: film is recorded, actors rehearse (assagen) and set is constructed.

- Stage blocking: is the choreography of actor's movements on the stage or within a scene in a film. It involves
determining where actors will stand, sit, move and interact during a particular movement. It's crucial for creating a
visually appealing presentation.
- Three important elements in blocking scene: actor movement, stage or set design and props (objectes de
l'escena).
- Function of the first element (actor movement): is crucial because it communicates the narrative, contributes to
visual composition, develops characters and maintains pacing and timing.
- Basic shapes and its representation:
Straight lines: formal, controlled, challenging
Curved lines: informal, relaxed, friendly
Triangles: imbalance, tension
Circles: unity, quality
- Purpose of the third element (stage/set design): is to visually create the atmosphere, setting and mood of a
scene, augmenting the narrative and emotional aspects.
- Subtext is what's not said. In blocking, it's shown through how actors move and position themselves.

- Shot: a single, continuous view captured by a camera without interruption.

- Frame: a single still image within a sequence of images, forming the basic unit of a film.
- Sequence: a series of related shots or scenes that together form a larger narrative unit.
- Scene: a complete narrative segment within a film, often composed of multiple shots and frames.

- Titling: vertical camera movement up or down.

- Clapperboard: a device used to mark the beginning of a shot, syncing audio and visual elements.
- Boom poles: long poles to position microphones above the scene.
- Panning: (Grua) horizontal camera movement from left to right or vice versa.
- Crane: a mechanical arm to lift and move the camera for dynamic shots.
- Mise en Scène: arrangement of visual elements within a scene.
- Sticks: (Bastons) slang for a tripod used to stabilize the camera.
- Dolly: a wheeled platform for smooth camera movements.
2. WRITING A SCREENPLAY
1. The names of characters and scene headings are written in capital letters.
2. Dialogue is written in the center of the page.
3. Descriptions of settings and actions are written in blocks which are wider than the dialogue.
4. Descriptions of how a character delivers their lines are in present tenses.
5. Characters generally have little dialogue at one time.
6. Descriptions of settings and actions are written in the present tenses.
7. Voice-overs and abbreviated as V.O., external shots as EXT and internal shots as INT.

3. PITCHING SUCCESSFULLY

● Next step after writing a screenplay: editing and revising it is crucial after the initial writing process.
● Pitch: a concise presentation of a movie idea to persuade others, often including key elements like the plot,
characters and themes.
● Hooks: captivating elements or techniques that grab the audience's attention and keep them engaged (highlights).
● Logline: brief summary of a movie's core idea. Is typically placed at the beginning of a screenplay. It serves as a
quick introduction to the main concept and sets the tone for the script. Screenwriters use it to present their concept
effectively.
Example: A young wizard, Harry Potter, discovers his magical heritage and must confront dark forces at
Hogwarts, facing the evil Voldemort to fulfill his destiny.

4. SHOOTING A FILM

● Shot size: how much of the scene is included in the frame.

Example: a typical shot used in Western films is the Wide Shot or Long Shot, capturing expansive landscapes
and emphasizing the immensity of the Western frontier.

● Camera angles:

1. Eye level: camera at the same height as the subject's eyes for a neutral perspective.
2. Low angle: camera below eye level, looking upward, often creating a powerful imposing effect.
3. High angle: camera above eye level, looking downward, often making subjects appear smaller or more vulnerable.
4. Dutch angle (canted angle): the camera is inclined to one side. Is used to evoke tension, disorientation or a sense
of unease in a scene.
5. Overhead shot: the camera is positioned directly above the subject, looking straight down. It provides a unique
perspective, offering a view from the top.
 6. Shoulder level: the camera is positioned at the same height as the subject's shoulders. Natural and neutral
perspective.
7. Over the shoulder (ots): camera behind one character, showing their perspective with part of their shoulder and
head in the frame.
8. Point of view (pov): camera represents the character's perspective, showing what they see.
9. Establishing shot: wide-angle shot setting the scene and providing context.
10. Close up shot: taken at a close range intended to show greater detail to the viewer for emotional impact or
narrative focus.

5. WRITING A FILM REVIEW

Watch the entire film attentively, noting key elements such as plot, characters, cinematography and themes. Plan your
review with clear structure, including a concise introduction, main points and conclusion. Start with essential details like the
film's title, director and release date. Provide a brief synopsis without revealing spoilers to give readers an overview.
Evaluate key elements such as acting, soundtrack and overall production, supporting your analysis with specific scenes or
moments. Discuss any underlying themes or messages expressed by the film. Share your thoughts considering both positive
and negative aspects. Sum up your review in a brief conclusion, including a recommendation for your readers.

- Corniest: més cursi (de tots)

- Well-suited: ben adaptat
- Outstanding: destacat
- Appeal to: agradar a
- Clueless: despistat
- Terrific: fantàstic
- Sequel: is a follow-up work that continues the story or theme of a previous one.