iProduce
From the two texts, you have learned that the art of communication is being lost as people prefer to use email, texts and tweets to communicate. Someone uploaded a cartoon (see next page) to an online discussion forum which has generated heated discussion. You have been aware of the negative influences of digital devices on communication after learning this unit. So you are eager to share your ideas and you are going to write an opinion piece for the forum.
You should cover the following three parts in your writing:
Describe the cartoon and state the problem
Express your opinions on the problem
Give some suggestions
Developing your ideas:
Task1. Describe the phenomenon shown in the cartoon and identify the problem revealed with the help of the following questions.
What is the possible relationship between the man and the woman?
What are they doing?
Why are they doing so?
What are they supposed to do?
Is there any problem about their communication?
After the description, you may identify the problem revealed in this cartoon.
The problem: ____________________________________
Task1. Work in groups and talk about the effects of digital devices on interpersonal communication.
What effects do digital devices have on interpersonal communication?
Are these effects positive or negative?
Do you have any examples or evidences to support your idea?
You may refer to the two texts for ideas and vocabulary.
Useful expressions for giving definitions :
... is called ... ; By ..., I mean ... ; ... can be defined as ... ; ... refers to ... ;
I understand ... as ...
Useful expressions for citing examples
Let me give you an example.
An example of this would be ...
Take … for example / instance.
To illustrate, ...
For example / instance, …
such as / like / including …
that is / namely, …
Synonyms that may be useful
harm: damage, hurt
effect: influence, impact
bad: harmful, negative, undesirable
face-to-face conversation: real-time conversation
Organizing your ideas:
Now that you’ve got all the ideas, structure your writing with the help of the outline.
Presenting your ideas:
Have a peer review of your opinion piece with your partner.
Revise it based on your partner’s feedback.
Upload your opinion piece and respond to the comments on it.
Criteria for self-evaluation and peer-evaluation
