Wednesday 5 October 2011

Film:Violence


Will controling the amount of violence in films and on TV reduce violent crimes?


Is the prevalence of  violence related to increasing violence in films and TV?
Can its rate be reduced by controlling level of violence in entertainment?


There is growing concern over increasing media violence nowadays.


Some people belief that violence in media can lead to real life aggressiveness.It is supported by some observations;introduction of television sets,for example,parallels with increased crime rate in North America.In order to bring down violence in community,it is sensible to regulate films and TV strictly.Although the link between brutal scenes in media and destructive behaviour is probable,there are other reasons that cause crimes.


Several factors influence the incidence of violence.
Poverty is an important variable,inequality in particular,which perpetrates crime.In addition,unemployment can also lead to violence,so is the growing gap between richest and poorest members of society.All these factors are closely interrelated and unless we address these major issues,our community will be continually facing increasing violence.








( to be continued )






















http://www.unhabitat.org/downloads/docs/5203_29231_Bk%204.pdf

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Advertisements targeting Children


Some people believe that advertisements targeting children may have negative effects on them, and suggest banning such advertisements as a solution


To what extent do you agree or disagree?
..................................................................................................................................................................

( in other words,will ban on such ads be effective answer?If not,what else can be done? )


We all live in a commercial world and children are not immune from advertisements directed towards them.Excessive commercial pressure and its negative impact on young people is highlighted by experts and parents are naturally  concerned about the issue.In this essay,
I will discuss my view on whether banning of these ads would be effective solution or not.




Nowadays,advertisements directed to children are common place on different medias and traditional media like television programs are bombarded with adverts.Food ads,for instance,have substantial influence on children's food choice and subsequent eating behavior.Experts point out that growing epidemic of overweight and obesity is partly related to these adverts.It is obvious that we must find solution to prevent similar hazards.In addition,children become victims of adverts on new digital media,the internet, as well.





There is advertising regulation on traditional media like TV in some parts of the world,and the regulators ban commercials to young people aired on the media,which would help in reducing negative consequences in some way but not eliminate completely. Since other means of new advertisements like brand ambassador or online ads escape from these regulation,we need other solutions as well.


One other suggested approach is raising parental awareness of marketing and advertising technique.Parents can be a role model as smarter consumer.Most importantly,Schools should  inform children of consumerism and advertisements.Finally,industry should be responsible.


All in all,banning of unethical ads directed to young people could be a solution in media like TV program,it would not be practical in other marketing approaches.Teachers and parents alike should be vigilant to protect children from undesirable commercials,along with responsible practice of industry.
( 270 words )






Words:
Advertisement /adverts/promotion/to sell products/ads/commercial on TV
marketer/consumer
target/direct/entice
effect/consequences/outcome
ban/deter/discourage




what kind of adverts directed toward children do you aware of?


Food ads on televisions have influence on children's food choice


Why do industry view children as their market force?


Because of their spending power


What channels are used to reach youth?


televisions/internet


Adverts directed at youth are on internet,which are lagely unrestricted




Is  marketing practice ethical? 


Exploit/public attention




What are the negative impacts?



Should this be banned or any alternative solution?


 regulated


prohibit/limit advertising directed at children in television program


parents teach child to be smart consumer
encourage non-commercial value in kids


take action; consumers voice their  opinions about advertising





Saturday 1 October 2011

Violence in Society


There is an increase in violence in society because police officers carry guns.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your personal experience.

Notes:

in school/community/home
what are the causes at the levels of individual/family/community/society
prevent violence through strategies that are conceived and implemented in relation to these causes

GUN CONTROL: credit to http://www.essayforum.com/writing-feedback-3/essay-gun-contral-17874/

Gun use, which is strictly controlled in most countries, is definitely not a kind of normal good in our society. However, gun control in some countries is relatively looser than in others. Therefore, this is still a controversial topic around the world. From my point of view, it is sensible to enforce  gun control.

The first factor considered is the risk of accidents with guns.Accidents cannot be completely avoided, even though only those who have gun licenses can purchase guns. For example, we hear some news from time to time that someone was hurt by accident  while hunting. So the fewer guns possessed, the fewer accidents would happen, and our surroundings would be safer with lower accident rates.

Secondly, most violent crimes are related to the abuse of guns, especially in some countries where guns are available for people. Eventually, guns will create a violent society. Take for example, in America, young adults and even juveniles can get access to guns, which leads to the tragedies of school gun shooting. What is worse, some terrorists are able to possess more advanced weapons than the police, which makes citizen live in constant danger.

Thirdly, the possession of guns can also raise the rate 
of suicide. In the US, firearms remain the most common method of suicide, accounting for about 50 per cent. Unfortunately, there is an increasing trend of adolescent suicides and suicides among those aged 75 and over.

In conclusion, considering the rise in accident rates, violent crime rates and suicide rates, I support that guns should be strictly limited and the government should enforce a series of laws to prevent our societies from inrceasing violence.


Film: Goverment investment


Most people watch foreign films first, before locally produced films. Why is that so?

If the government in your country decides to invest in the film industry, will you support them to do so and why?

Include your own experience in the essay.

Language:fewer the better?


Several languages die every year. Many people feel this is a positive trend and that a world with fewer languages promotes harmony and understanding between people. 


Analyze both sides of this argument and provide your opinion.




Draft

Languages extinct?
Does its extinction really promote harmony and understanding?

Is the understanding between people sole purpose of language?
What else ?

Not just an instrument of communication,

Language is an asset of civilization,
It carries Culture, Civilization, Belief and tradition!

Beauty of individual language can be found in poems literature!

Should we discard all these values in exchange of single global language for effective communication across different cultures?

  • Languages extinct
  • Is it positive or negative?
  • effect could be culturally devastating

  • globalization push toward a switch to English or  other popular language in big cities
fewer languages : 
  • less diversity
  • loss of unique culture
  • frustration of identity being vanished
several different languages:
  • need interpretation/translation

Vocabulary:
Linguist/speaker
communities/
endangered/extinct/die out/fade
preserve


An extract from Wikipedia


Following centuries of English rule in Ireland and English imposition of the English language, an argument for de-anglicisation was delivered before the Irish National Literary Society in Dublin, 25 November 1892; 


"When we speak of 'The Necessity for De-Anglicising the Irish Nation', we mean it, not as a protest against imitating what is best in the English people, for that would be absurd, but rather to show the folly of neglecting what is Irish, and hastening to adopt, pell-mell, and indiscriminately, everything that is English, simply because it is English."