Lesson 7
- The golden rules of legal writing:
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/25080245/Legal%20Writing%20In%20Plain%20English
- IELTS writing - Part Two - Essay. Thesis/Opinion Led Essays versus Argument Led Essays
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/65348624/Academic%20Writing%20Paper%20Two
- Writing Assessment - Timed Essay.
Homework:
Prepare for your (final) speaking assessment, See below:
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/70692621/Press%20Regulation%20and%20New%20Media
Seminar Task
Last year, the phone hacking scandal (illegally listening or intercepting phone calls and text messages) seriously damaged the reputation of several important newspapers in the U.K. Many journalists and editors are now standing trial for their involvement. The U.K. government wants stricter controls on journalists to stop this happening again, however, no one can agree on the the best solution.
What do you think is best:
- A government appointed regulatory body?
- An independent regulatory body?
- A body formed of journalists and editors and other persons in the media?
- An ombudsman? (For a definition see: http://definitions.uslegal.com/o/ombudsman/)
Prepare a short (5 minute) presentation on what form of regulation is best for the industry. Support your answer with examples.
You will give your presentation to a small group of your peers. When everybody has presented, you need to decide as a group which form of regulation is best and what powers the regulatory body/person should have?
The aim of your seminar is to present a proposal to the Minister of Broadcasting.
Preparation:
(1) Think about the problems:
- invasion of privacy - phone tapping/hacking
- stealing private information e.g. emails, medical records
- harassment
- recklessly publishing inaccurate stories
- maliciously publishing untrue stories
(2) Current Legal Protections:
Which of the above problems are already punished by Criminal or Civil Law? Do you think that is enough protection? Do we need an explicit Privacy Law like the French? Does Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights provide enough protection?
(3) Think about the powers the regulatory body/person should have:
- force newspapers to print apologies
- demand corrections to stories
- impose fines
- impose exemplary damages
(4) How will the regulatory body work in practice - especially as news stories are spread via blogs and social media?
Research:
The following articles will give you some ideas and background information. Also note any vocabulary and collocations that might be useful for your presentation.
Speaking Skills:
- Be clear about your aim and what you want to achieve - you only have 5 minutes.
- Make sure your structure is clear - this will give you confidence - make sure you outline your structure with the use of signposting language.
- Don't read.
- Don't speak too fast or in a monotone, "chunk"what you have to say phonetically so you get the intonation right and sound natural.
- Answer questions diplomatically and politely.
For more tips and examples of signposting language: see
Presentations
