INTENSIVE ESSAY WRITING 2: MEDIA

Many people feel that media coverage has becoming increasingly biased today. Why is this? What can be
done to fix this problem?

Some people believe that violent media directly results in violent behavior. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?

Today, TV channels broadcast men’s sports shows more than women’s sport shows. Why is this the case?
Should TV channels give equal showtime for each?

Some think newspapers are the best method for reading the news while others think other media is better.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Some feel that movies and TV shows are a good way to study history despite their lack of historical
accuracy at times. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and
society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many people today would argue that cinemas are becoming irrelevant due to new streaming services.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that the best way to get the news is through newspapers while others think it is
through online media. Do you agree or disagree?

Public celebrations (such as national days, festivals, etc.) are held in most countries. These are often
quite expensive and some people say that governments should spend money on more useful things.
Do you agree or disagree?

Some parents claim that advertisements are misleading for children while others allege that they
provide useful information. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Films and computer games which contain violence are very popular. Some people believe they have
a negative effect on society and so should be banned. Other people, however, say they are just
harmless and help people to relax. Discuss both these points of view and give your own opinion.

Many people think that television is the best place to get your news while others believe there are
better platforms. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

People today often use the internet to learn about the culture of other countries. This means that it
is not that important to travel to other countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
 Types of News, Newspapers, Magazines and Media
Online news: is the online version of a newspaper
A broadsheet: a newspaper printed on large sheets of paper
The daily: a newspaper published every day except Sunday
A tabloid: a newspaper with fairly small pages mostly containing stories about famous people and not much serious
news
A weekly publication: a magazine, newspaper
A media outlet: a newspaper publishes news stories
biweekly a magazine that is published twice a month or twice a week
Bulletin a magazine or newspaper produced regularly by a club or organization to give information to its members
Compact a newspaper with fairly small pages that deals with serious news issues
Fanzine a magazine written for and by fans
Heavy (informal) a serious newspaper

Newspaper Content

 headlines = heading or title appearing at the top of a page or article

 columns = news that is printed in vertical columns rather than taking a whole page
 advice column = a column in the newspaper where advice is given to people who write in for it
 obituaries = a section in the newspaper about people who have recently died
 horoscope = a section in the newspaper about star signs and zodiac signs which foretell the future
 weather report = a section in the newspaper for weather forecasts
 business section = a section in the newspaper with business news
 international / world news section = a section in the newspaper which focuses on news from abroad
 caption = an explanation or title matching a picture or cartoon
 letter to the editor = a section in the newspaper for people to express their views to the editor of the newspaper
 special feature = a special story
 editorial = a news article containing the editor’s opinions
 comic strip = a cartoon series in the newspaper

Your Habits
Follow a story, peruse my favourite column; track the news; catch a news bulletin; subscribe to a publication

Types of News
local news; international news; world events; current affairs; business news; gossip; sensational news; the scandal
received wide coverage in the press; libel; breaking news; make the headlines; objective reporting; cover a story;
news coverage; analysis; the story went viral

The People Involved

paparazzi; unscrupulous reporters; a news anchor; a newscaster; a broadcaster; a columnist; a reporter; a journalist;
a photojournalist
 Phrases and idioms about the news
the gutter press: newspapers which focus on sensational journalism, often about the lives of famous people
yellow journalism: a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses
eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may include exaggerations of news events, scandal-
mongering or sensationalism.
information overload: exposure to too much information or data
invasion of privacy: unjustifiable intrusion into the personal life of another without consent.
a slow news day: a day with little news to report

Other Useful Vocabulary for Newspapers

 circulation = the number of copies a newspaper distributes on an average day (some newspapers have a wider
circulation than others)
 layout = the way articles are designed on a page (this can include the position of pictures, the number of columns
and the size of headlines)
 attention-grabbing = a news story which draws public attention
 eye-catching = a picture or layout which catches a person’s eye
 in-depth = with many details
 sensational news = news which causes public excitement or interest
 black and white = without colour
 paparazzi = a freelance photographer who follows celebrities
 front page = the first page of a newspaper
 fact-checkers = a person (people) who checks if the newspaper facts and information in an article are correct
 hot off the press = news that has just been printed and is very recent
 readership = the collective readers of a newspaper (some newspapers have a large readership)
 issue (n) = 1. an important topic for a debate 2. a copy of a newspaper