Developing writing
A magazine article 1 Look at this announcement and then read the article. Do you think the article is what the writers of the announcement wanted?
Do you, or does anyone you know, do an unusual sport? Tell us how you got into it! Do you need any special equipment? What are the rules? Where do you do it? Who would you recommend it to? Tell us all about it and we’ll print the best articles in our next issue! We’re planning a feature on unusual sports, and we want your articles!
Always give your article a title. Introduce the subject.
My unusual sport
Do you know anything about the sport of quidditch? If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you certainly do. However, at my high school we play a type of ‘muggle’ quidditch – without the flying broomsticks! So, how do you play it? A quidditch team has a maximum of 21 athletes – boys and girls – with seven players on the pitch at a time. The pitch is painted with lines. Each team consists of a keeper who guards the hoops (like basketball), three chasers who throw a quaffle (like a volleyball) through the hoops, two beaters (who throw balls to ‘knock out’ the opposing team) and a seeker who has a special role. And players all have a broom between their legs! The aim is to score the most points. At minute 17, the snitch comes onto the pitch. This is a sock with a tennis ball in it, which is attached to a runner’s shorts. The seekers’ job is to try and catch the snitch. This gets your team 30 points and ends the game, but the person with the snitch is usually a very fast runner! There are other unusual aspects of this sport, such as the fact that you can move the ball forwards or backwards. My view is that it’s perfect for teenagers who like team sports. Take rugby, for example. It’s similar because you work together on a common strategy. Personally, I think it’s great fun although it can be very tiring! Have a look at the international quidditch site. You’ll see it’s already played around the world, for instance in the US, Canada, the UK, Peru and Germany. As I see it, it’s the best game ever! Why not join or start a quidditch team? Which position would you choose?
Ask a question to get your reader’s attention.
Use exclamation marks to create an informal style. Explain what makes the activity unusual and enjoyable. Say who you would recommend it to. Express your opinion.
Use an imperative to give advice in an informal way. Suggest your readers try this unusual activity.
Read the article. Are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? 1 Quidditch is played around the world.
Complete the sentences with these
2
4
connecting words and phrases. for instance • I don’t think that •
T / F T / F T / F
2 Seekers can be boys or girls.
I’m convinced • m y opinion • such as • take 1 Quidditch is popular around the world and that it is going to grow even bigger. 2 In , hockey and more traditional games are less exciting. 3 Some sports are very physically challenging, like hockey . 4 rugby, for example. It’s quite similar to quidditch. 5 It’s played in many countries, the US, Canada, the UK, Peru and Germany. 6 quidditch is suitable for people who aren’t fit.
3 The snitch tries to win thirty points.
Which of these expressions express the
3
author’s opinion of quidditch? 1 Do you know anything about quidditch? 2 My view is that it’s perfect for teenagers who like team sports. 3 Take rugby, for example. 4 As I see it, it’s the best game ever! 5 It’s similar because you work together on a common strategy. 6 Personally, I think it’s great fun although it can very tiring!
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Unit 7
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