M4 Article of Opinion Lesson 6 - Revision

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Media Literacy

Article of Opinion

H4 - Article of Opinion (betoog)

In the Part you're going to write an opinion article, so let's revise.

What is the purpose of an article of opinion?

1. to compare and contrast
2. to share effects / causes
3. to give examples
4. to support an opinion using evidence

How to structure your article

Title

Introduction - make the reader interested ("hook") + background info + statement (your opinion)

- Paragraph to support the opinion

- Paragraph to support the opinion

(- Paragraph to support the opinion)

Conclusion - summarize and conclude

What is the correct structure of an article?

1. statement - argument - example - conclusion
2. catchy opening - argument - argument - statement
3. catchy opening - statement - arguments - conclusion
4. statement - idea - question - opinion

Statement (Opinion)

• A statement is one complete sentence that expresses your position on the subject
• A statement can also be called the 'main point' of an article of opinion

Example opinion/statement

Most high-school and even middle-school teachers are in a constant battle with smartphones and other devices for attention in the classroom. Students are finding ways to text, surf the web, and post on social media all while the teacher is instructing. They hide their devices in their lap, a sweatshirt pocket, or even in an open pocket of their backpack. This distracts them from learning. Therefore, Smartphones should be forbidden in every classroom. (OPINION/THESIS)

Plan your line of argumentation

• Pick a side
• List reasons
• Add examples
• Narrow down your opinion/thesis

Think about this statement:

Should games be used to spread the news?

Summary

hook

argument 2

opinion / statement

Look at future

argument 1

Visible line of argumentation: Should we play the news?

The BBC has recently published a game of war, but not a Call of Duty kind of game. The Syrian Journey is about the horrible ordeal the refugees have to undergo to get to a safe haven, Europe. The questions is if it is a good idea to make a game about such serious issue. In my opinion it is. We should embrace games as a new medium of exploring serious subject matters.  

               First of all, unlike traditional news media, games can give the gamer a better perspective on the serious subject matter. Because of its interactive features, a news game like the Syrian Journey puts the gamer right in the refugees’ shoes. They get to relive their stories and their troubles instead of hearing about them from an old boring anchorman. 

              Secondly, news games can broaden the audience. It is well-known that younger generations are getting less and less interested in old-fashioned news broadcasts. In the age of technological advances, it is almost impossible to expect youngsters to engage with the news in the same way the older generation do. By making news stories more interactive, teens are more likely to follow the current news. 

              To sum up, games should find their way in the broadcasting industry because they bring many advantages. They allow the gamer to feel the news and be in it. They also attract a wider audience. While some still have to get used to it, in future, playing the news could be just as normal as reading the news.