UNIT 9:MEDIA AND REPORTING
Key unit competence: To use language learnt in the context of media andreporting.
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
9.1 Describing words and expressions used in the media
Text: Starting a school newspaper
The members of editor committee sat at the front. This time Miss Catherine, the
English composition teacher, addressed the pupils. “Good morning, everyone,”
she stated. “Yesterday you listened to Miss Mwangi describe how to start a
school newspaper. Remember that she herself was an active member of the
school newspaper. Do any of you remember the name?” Billy put up his hand
but everyone had the answer. “The Kigali shinning” they chanted. “Good. Yes
that is right. I hope you too will find a good name for our school newspaper.
You have elected your editor committee and I wish to congratulate those twelve
pupils who will be responsible for producing the newspaper. Remember, it will
mean a hard work and commitment, and you will need help from the rest of
the students here. If you want to produce the first issue, before term ends,
everyone will have to work hard. So, those of you who are not members of the
editorial committee do not be too disappointed. Your contribution is also very
important. As reporters, it is your job to produce the article. And we can’t have
a school newspaper without any article, can we?
The students laughed and began to talk excitedly among themselves. ‘Now,
‘continued Miss Nakamwaga, and everyone became quiet again. ‘Yesterday
you discussed the kinds of articles that we usually find in our local
newspapers. Have you decided what kind of articles you want to include
in your own school newspaper? Perhaps one student from each group can
write her or his group’s list on the board here, and then will discuss them.’
Afterwards, Miss Nakamwaga read out all the topics: the school, school news,
school sports news, our surroundings, the people and their activities, news
about our community, especially when it affects the school or students, special
events: Announcements before and descriptions afterwards, advertisements.
“OK,instead of your usual composition lessons this week, you will all work on
an article for the school newspaper. Your writing skills will improve if you get
a lot of writing practice. And the editorial committee will not accept an article
that is of poor quality. If it is untidy, uninteresting, or contains a lot of mistakes,
they will ask you to rewrite it.”
“I want you to prepare your articles in groups so that you can help each other.
Each group will have a different topic. As a group, you can discuss and prepare
your article before you begin writing. You may want to do some research, that
is, go and ask questions to find out information that will make your article
interesting. Before you start writing, put yourself in the reader’s position and
ask yourself “if I was the reader, what would I want to know? What would Ienjoy reading about?
Adapted from JJB Bugembe (1993). Oxford English: ninth impression 2002. Oxfordox26DP, England.
Comprehension questions
1. How many members did the students vote on the editorial committees?
2. What is the job of the rest of people?
3. When do they want to produce the first issue of their newspaper?
4. What are the six kinds of articles that the pupils want to include in their
newspaper?
5. For what reasons might the editorial committee ask group to rewrite an
article?
6. If your school produced a school newspaper, what would you like to read
about?7. What do you think is the job of a reporter for a newspaper?
9.1.2 APPLICATION ACTIVITY
Vocabulary, sentence and summary writing
1. Match the words from the story in column A with their meanings incolumn B
2. Use the above words in the table and make your own sentences.
3. Summarize the story “starting a school newspaper in 8 lines. “
9.2 Describing a scene
Scene 1: Adika’s memorial ceremony
It is set at Adika’s grave. The grave appears to have been burnt and there is a
bowl of coins on it. Nina and doga, Adika’s parents are approaching the grave
in the morning to prepare for the shaving memory. The burning of the grave
confirms that the person who killed Adika lives among them. It is revealed that
Adika was shot by a police officer during university demonstration. Chagaga,
the sub-chief’s brother was implicated in the murder.
Jusper comes back. Since his brother’s death, he has been behaving strangely.
This has made his parents suspect that he is mad. He is coming from the river
where he has thrown Chagaga’s body whom he had caught burning Adika’s
grave to prevent Adika’s ghost from haunting him- as the community believes.
He asks his parents whether he should go and confess the murder. Thinking
that he is raving, they tell him to put on a clean shirt and go confess.
Two soldiers, jere and Mulili, arrive to insure that no ceremony is held in the
memory of Adika. They inform Nina and Daga that Jusper is currently in custody.
After confessing to have murdered Chagaga, an angry mob almost lynched him.
He was saved by the police and locked up. Mulili and jere argue over whether
to allow the ceremony to go on. Jere being from that village understands the
importance of shaving ceremony as a traditional ritual and therefore he wants
to let the old couple proceed with it. Mulili differs with him because he has been
promised a large chunk of land by Boss in return for his loyalty. They fight. jere
shoots at Mulili.
An extract from the play Betrayal in the city by Francis Imbuga
Comprehension questions
1. Describe the start of the scene one of betrayal in the city.
2. What did Adika die of in the play?
3. What is making Jusper act madly?
4. Who came to stop the ceremony?
5. Why do Mulili and jere differ in deciding up on “the shaving ceremony”?6. In not more than 4 lines, describe the scene above.
9.2.2 APPLICATION ACTIVITY
Vocabulary, sentence and composition writing
1. Find the meaning of the following words and use them to write your
own sentences
1. Scene
2. Demonstration
3. Ghost
4. Custody
5. Murder
2. Think of a scene about a business activity at the market and describeit in not more than eight lines.
9.3 Reporting speech
Text: Church commended
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister commended the church’s contribution
in Rwanda’s journey of unity and reconciliation. Within the framework of
achieving unity and reconciliation among Rwandans, he said the Government
opted for home-grown solutions (such as Gacaca courts) noting that such
initiatives were shaped by fusing traditional and biblical values.
“It is commendable that the Bible society and the churches worked hand in
hand with government and non-government institutions. This partnership
brings about community development social welfare in society,” he said. He
also highlighted the role of the youth in the development of a nation. He said
that investing in the youth and providing them with proper value orientation
is not an option, adding that the youth should be at the forefront of innovation,
leadership and decision making.
“I am proud that the issue of youth is a major focus of African Biblical LeadershipInitiative,” the Premier noted.
Renowned American evangelist and author, Rick Warren, said that there is a lot
to celebrate about Africa noting that, the strength and future of the Church is
Africa.
He also applauded Rwanda’s progress noting that years ago Rwanda was known
mostly for what happened in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and that now the
world knows it for its progress.
“And this is something to celebrate, you may not realize this because you live
here all the time, but the rest of the world is realizing this. Many want to come
and learn from Rwanda, this is why we have much to celebrate my brothers andsisters,” he added.
New Times article from https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/premier-ngirente-rootsafrican-youth-empowerment
Comprehension questions
1. What did the prime minister commend churches for?
2. Discuss the role of youth in innovation.
3. What is the hint that the reporter used to convey the message?4. Does he/she report the message effectively?
9.3.2 APPLICATION ACTIVITY
Vocabulary, sentence and composition writing
1. Improve your vocabulary: Use dictionary and thesaurus to check the
meaning of the following words.
1. Applaud
2. Fusing
3. Welfare
4. Forefront
5. Reconciliation
2. Write meaningful sentences using the above words.3. Write a summary of the above article in 5 lines
9.4 Describing a report
Text 1: How to write a report
Some academic assignments ask for a ‘report’, rather than an essay, and
students are often confused about what that really means. Likewise, in
business, confronted with a request for a ‘report’ to a senior manager, many
people struggle to know what to write. Confusion often arises about the writing
style, what to include, the language to use, the length of the document and other
factors. This point aims to disentangle some of these elements, and provide you
with some advice designed to help you to write a good report.
In academia there is some overlap between repots and essays, and the two
words are sometimes used interchangeably, but reports are more likely to be
needed for business, scientific and technical subjects, and in the workplace.
Whereas an essay presents arguments and reasoning, a report concentrates on
facts.
Essentially, a report is a short, sharp, concise document which is written for a
particular purpose and audience. It generally sets out and analyses a situation
or problem, often making recommendations for future action. It is a factual
paper, and needs to be clear and well-structured. Requirements for the precise
form and content for a report will vary between organization and departments
and in study between courses, from tutor to tutor, as well as between subjects,
so it’s worth finding out if there are any specific guidelines before you start.
Comprehension questions
1. What do many people struggle to know when writing a report?
2. What confuses them?
3. Discuss the difference between a report and an essay4. Give a short definition of a report
Text 2: Weight problem in America by Israel Sandoval
many people probably are heavier than they should be. Weight has become a
real health issue in America. This paper will present facts and discuss causes. It
will also suggest possible ways to overcome our weight problem.
Are all overweight people unhealthy or unfit? No. some heavy people are very
fit. Muscular people weigh more than others who look about the same size. This
is because muscle is heavier than fat. Pregnant women also weigh more than
they would normally. Some people are just heavier than others. That doesn’t
always mean they are unhealthy. However, many people who are seriously
overweight are at risk for health problems.
Here are some figures to think about. More than 97 million Americans are
overweight. According to the American Obesity Association, about 39 million
of these are obese. Obese means more than 30 pounds overweight. Obesity
is the cause of some 300000 death in this country every year. It is also a risk
factor in many ailments. These include heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, high
cholesterol and cancer. According to U.S surgeon General David Satcher, obesity
is “an epidemic”
Weight problems are not unknown in other countries. However, they are much
easier to fall prey to in the United States. Consider Sam Moore, who moved here
from Sierra Leone in 1998. His story is fairly common. “When I first came,” Sam
told writer Lawrence Lindner, ‘I was around 165 (pounds). Now I am looking
at close to 200. It creeps upon you.” Sam is 5 foot 9 inches tall. Two hundredpounds is definitely more than he should weigh.
Other immigrants report similar weight gain. Some of them were asked to
think about why their weight shot up. Some of them pointed out the size of
restaurant portions. Over and over, they talked about the size of meal they
served in American restaurants. One woman commented on a huge salad and
enormous dish of pasta she was served for dinner. She noted that even her
6-foot 5- inch boyfriend couldn’t have eaten it all. Yet the meal was typical size
for an American diner in a restaurant.
Extract from zaner-Bloser (2003) . strategies for writers : Columbus,Ohio,p.g 207
Comprehension questions
1. What kind of text is this?
2. Are all overweight people unhealthy or unfit? Why?
3. With the above text, discuss the problem of overweight in America
9.4.2 APPLICATION ACTIVITY
Vocabulary, sentence and composition writing
1. Use dictionary and thesaurus to check the meanings of the following
words:
a. Disentangle
b. Overlap
c. Concise
d. Obese
e. Cholesterol
f. Portions
g. Inch
h. Creep upon
i. Portion
j. Arthritis
2. Write sentences using the above words on the list3. Summarize the above report on weight problem in America in 7 lines
9.5 Describing stages in reporting
Step 1: know your brief : You will usually receive a clear brief for a report,
including what you are studying and for whom the report should be prepared.
First of all, consider your brief very carefully and make sure that you are clear
who the report is for (if you’re a student then not just your tutor, but who it
is supposed to be written for), and why you are writing it, as well as what
you want the reader to do at the end of reading: make a decision or agree a
recommendation, perhaps.
Step 2: Keep your brief in mind at all times: During your planning and writing,
make sure that you keep your brief in mind: who are you writing for, and why
are you writing? All your thinking needs to be focused on that, which may
require you to be ruthless in your reading and thinking. Anything irrelevant
should be discarded.
As you read and research, try to organize your work into sections by theme, a
bit like writing a literature review.
Make sure that you keep track of your references, especially for academic
work. Although referencing is perhaps less important in the workplace, it’s also
important that you can substantiate any assertions that you make so it’s helpful
to keep track of your sources of information.
Pay particular attention to whether all the information that you have included
is relevant. Also remember to check tenses, which person you have written in,
grammar and spelling. It’s also worth one last check against any requirements
on structure.
For an academic assignment, make sure that you have referenced fully and
correctly. As always, check that you have not inadvertently or deliberatelyplagiarized or copied anything without acknowledging.
Comprehension questions
1. What is it needed first to make a good report?
2. Which question does he/she ask before writing?
3. Why do you think a reporter should keep references?
4. Discuss other things that a reporter takes into consideration while he/she is writing.
9.5.2 APPLICATION ACTIVITY
Vocabulary, sentence and report writing
1. Use the dictionary to check the meanings of the following words and
phrases and use them to make good sentences.
a. Ruthless
b. Discarded
c. Assertions
d. Substantiate
e. Keep track of
2. Choose an issue of your choice at your school and report it in 300
words. Share it to your class.9.6 Expressing probability on past events
Okonkwo sinks into a depression. He feels weak, and he cannot sleep or eat.
Ezinma worries that something might have gone wrong wither father. When
she brings him his evening meal three days later, she tells him that he must
finish everything. He repeatedly wishes that she were a boy, and he berates
himself for acting like a “shivering old woman.” He visits his friend Obierika and
congratulates Maduka on his successful wrestling. Obierika, in turn, requests
that Okonkwo stay when his daughter’s suitor arrives to determine a bride price.
Okonkwo complains to Obierika that his sons are not manly enough and
says that he would be happier if Ezinma were a boy because she has “the right
spirit.” He and Obierika then argue over whether it was right of Okonkwo topartake in Ikemefuna’s death.
Okonkwo begins to feel revived a bit. He decides that his unhappiness was a
product of his idleness—if Ikemefuna had been murdered at a busier time of the
year, he, Okonkwo, would have been completely undisturbed. Someone arrives
to report the death of the oldest man in a neighboring village. Strangely, the
old man’s wife died shortly thereafter. Okonkwo questions the man’s reputed
strength once he learns how attached he had been to his wife. Okonkwo sits with
Obierika while Obierika bargains his daughter’s bride-price with the family of
her suitor. Afterward, Obierika and his future son-in-law’s relatives talk about
the differing customs in other villages. They discuss the practice of, and skill
at, tapping palm trees for palm-wine. Obierika talks about hearing stories of
men with skin as white as chalk. Another man, Machi, pipes in that such a man
passes through the village frequently and that his name is Amadi. Those whoknow Amadi, a leper, laugh—the polite term for leprosy is “the white skin.”
An extract from the novel things fall apart, by Chinua Achebe
Comprehension questions
1. Discuss two deaths that appear in the passage.
2. Why does okonkwo admire his daughter?
3. Why do you think okonkwo is failing to eat?
4. What worry does Ezinma possess?
5. Discuss the probability in the past that appears in the passage.
9.6.2 APPLICATION ACTIVITY
Vocabulary, sentence and composition writing
1. Use the dictionary and check the synonyms of the following words:
a. Suitor
b. Murdered
c. Partake
d. Undisturbed
e. Bargains
2. Use the above words to make correct sentences.3. Summarize the above story in your own words in not more than 50 words.
9.7 Language structure: Past perfect continuous
1. Past perfect continuous
Examples
1. The manager had been taking money from the company.
2. They had been planning to write this report since last the previous
month.
3. The witness said that the driver had been talking on his mobile phone.
4. The car had been emerging into the main road when the accident took
place.
5. Janet had been preparing her news presentation for an hour when I
arrived.
6. Betty failed the final test because she had not been attending class.
7. Reporters had been waiting there for more than two hours when the
press conference finally started.
Note:
The past perfect continuous is used to talk about actions or situations that
were in progress before some other actions took place. Using the past perfect
continuous before another action in the past is a good way to show cause and
effect. You can use time expressions like for and since with this tense. You have
learnt about the use of since and for in unit 3 of this book.
Exercise
Put the verbs into the correct form of the past perfect continuous.
1. We (sleep) ……….. for 12 hours when he woke us up.
2. They (wait) ……….. at the station for 90 minutes when the train finally
arrived.
3. We (look for) ………… her ring for two hours and then we found it in the
bathroom.
4. I (not / walk) ………… for a long time, when it suddenly began to rain.
5. How long (learn / she) ..………. English before she went to London?
6. Frank caught the flu because he (sing)………… in the rain too long.
7. He (drive) ………… less than an hour when he ran out of petrol.
8. They were very tired in the evening because they (help) ……….. on the
farm all day.
9. I (not / work) ..………… all day; so I wasn’t tired and went to the disco at
night.
10. They (cycle) ………... all day so their legs were sore in the evening.
2. Passive voice
Examples
1. This article was written by a young journalist.
2. All articles had been checked by the chief editor.
3. The newspaper has been banned by the government recently.
4. The news was presented late because of the football match.5. Reporters were advised on professional rules of ethics.
Notes:
The passive voice is marked by be + the past participle form of the verb + by
+ noun (agent). The verb in a passive sentence contains the appropriate form
of the auxiliary be and the past participle form of the main verb. We use the
passive voice when we are interested in what is done rather than who does it.
The phrase by + noun (agent) is left out when the doer of the action has beenmentioned earlier, is obvious, is unknown or is considered unimportant.
Below is a table showing the main verb forms.
Put the following sentences in passive voice.
1. The secretary received the article in the morning.
2. The chief editor structured all the reports himself.
3. Jimmy had carefully planned the writing of the report.
4. The editor understood the purpose of the report.
5. The reporters gathered and selected the information wisely.
6. This made the writing much easier.
7. The manager had taken the money from the company.
8. A burglar broke into the house.
9. Many journalists use cameras and reporters.10. A police officer rescued a seven-year-old boy.
3. Reported speechExamples
Notes:
In newspapers, reporters need to repeat what other people have said. In this
case, the mastery of reported speech is needed. Mostly, in newspapers the
simple past is used to report events. This tense changes into past perfect if
the event is reported indirectly. However, to report a progressive past event,
the past perfect continuous tense is used. In reported speech, the word that isoptional. That’s why it is put between brackets in the above sentence.
The table below shows other important changes:
Direct speech Reported speech
Ago Before
This That
These Those
Here There
Today that day
Tonight that night
Now then / at that time (moment)
Tomorrow the next day / the following day
Yesterday the previous day/ the day before
last night the night before, Thursday nightlast week the week before / the previous wee
Exercise
Put the following sentences into reported speech.
a) The newspaper reported, “The manager intended to take a big amount of
money.”
b) The policeman said, “The robbers broke into the house and stole money.”
c) “Police officers rescued a seven-year-old boy,” the witnesses told Imvaho
Nshya.
d) The driver reported, “There were many passengers at the scene.”
e) Brown said, “We didn’t hear gunshots and the boy was out here fighting
with somebody.”
f) ‘The magazines were featuring various articles about women rights,’ the
project manager told us.
g) “The plane crashed en-route to Dubai,” The BBC reported.
h) “Seventy per cent of the farmers used fertilisers last year,” minister of
agriculture told The Newtimes.
i) “Her article inspired young entrepreneurs in this region,” said the Chief
Editor.j) ‘James was writing a report about the scene,’ the police announced.
9.7 END UNIT ASSESSMENT
1. Construct meaningful sentences with words below
a) Journalist
b) Reporter
c) Newspaper
d) Advertisement
e) Media
f) Broadcasting
g) Copyright
h) Article
i) Brochure
j) Documentary
2. Choose some daily activities at your college and write an article.Share it with your class.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in brackets using the past
perfect continuous.
a. I ………………………… (work) all day, so I didn’t want to go out.
b. She ………………….. (sleep) for ten hours when I woke her.
c. They …………………….. (live) in Beijing for three years when he lost his
job.
d. When we met, you …………………… (work) at that company for six
months.
e. We ………………….. (eat) all day, so we felt a bit ill.
f. He was red in the face because he ……………… (run).
g. It ………………(rain), and the road was covered in water.
h. I was really tired because I ……………………… (study).
i. We ……………..(go) out for three years when we got married.
j. It …..………..(snow) for three days.
4. Change these active sentences to passive ones. Choose if you need the
agent or not.
a. The Government is planning a new road near my house.
b. My grandfather built this house in 1943.
c. Picasso was painting Guernica at that time.
d. The cleaner has cleaned the office.
e. He had written three reports in 2017.
f. John will tell you later.
g. The traffic might have delayed Jimmy.h. They are building a new stadium near the station.
REFERENCES
Books
1.Musée Royal de l’Afrique. (1964). Annalen - Koninklijke Museum voor Midden
Afrika, Tervuren, België. Reeks in-80. Musée royal de l’Afrique centrale. p. 473.
2. F. Kawesi, P. Oluka and A. Akoth, (2017). General studies and communication
skills, S5 student book: Kigali. Longhorn Publishers (R) Ltd 166 KG 13 off KG
11 Avenue
3. Rwanda Education Board (2019). Entrepreneurship Student’s Book for Senior
Five: Kigali
4. Jones Leo, Alexander Richard, (2003). New International Business English,
Cambridge University Press,
5. Rwanda Education Board, (2017). Geography for Rwandan schools, senior 4
student’s book: Kigali, p376
6. Robert Ramsey, (1987). The Languages of China, Princeton University Press
7. K.A. VISWANATHAN NAIR, 2012. English grammar without tears: Goswami
Associates, Delhi. Laxmi Publications pvt. Ltd
M. Musinguzi, M. Njoki, P. Oluka, A. Akoth (2016). General studies and communication
skills, S4 student book: Kigali. Longhorn Publishers (R) Ltd 166 KG 13 off KG
11 Avenue
Electronic resources
1.http://www.shareyouressays.com/persuasive-essays/487-words-short
essay-on-a-visit-to-a-village/482
2. https://gudwriter.com/what-makes-you-unique-essay-example/
3. https://studymoose.com/life-in-a-village-or-a-city-essay
4. https://studymoose.com/life-in-a-village-or-a-city-essay
5.https://www.testbig.com/toefl-essays/what-are-characteristics-good
leader-give-reasons-and-examples-support-your-response-0
6. https://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/read/21083
7.https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/economics/money-and
banking/functions-of-money
8.https://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/what-does-marketing
mean-marketing-essay.php
9. http://tfig.unece.org/contents/payments-types.htm
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrepreneurship
11.https://www.newtimes.co.rw/opinions/nyungwe-forest-magnificentplace-ecotouris