4.2 To design media texts

English first additional language

Grade 9

‘paws and pollen’

Module 16

To design media texts

Activity 1:

To design media texts

[lo 4.5]

• You feel you can still do more and so decide to create a flyer (normally an A5 sheet of paper advertising something and placed in letterboxes), which you intend to distribute to all the homes of pet owners in your area. The main thrust of the flyer is to remind people of their responsibility to their pets.
• For inspiration, consider the following article taken from the “Your Family”(June 2003 - sourced from the Swiss Disaster Dog Association):

10 Favours a dog asks of you

My life lasts between 10 and 15 years. Every separation from you

means suffering for me. Think about this before you decide

whether or not to take me.

Give me time to understand what you are asking of me.

Instil confidence in me. I thrive on it.

Do not be angry with me for long, and don’t lock me up for punishment!

You have your work, your pleasure, your hobbies- I only have you.

Talk to me often! Even if I don’t understand the words,

I do understand the tone of your voice.

Know that, no matter how I’m being treated,

I shall never forget it.

Keep in mind, before you hit me, that my jaws

could crush the knuckles of your hand with ease,

but I don’t use them on you.

Before you scold me when working with me, consider first:

perhaps I am uncomfortable from digesting my last meal;

perhaps I was in the sun too long; or perhaps I have a worn-out heart.

Take care of me when I am old;

you, too, are going to be old one day.

Be with me when the going is rough -

everything is easier when you are beside me.

• Remember that a flyer should attract attention, otherwise it will end up in the rubbish bin together with all the other junk mail.
• To make people sit up and take note of your appeal use: bold print, colour, a picture, a snappy saying, alliteration – anything that will creep into people’s minds and be a constant reminder of their duty to their pets.

[20]

Activity 2:

To communicate through role-play

[lo 2.2]

• One of the most valuable lessons one can learn is that of always putting yourself in the other person’s shoes. In other word before reacting to a situation, step back and consider the other person’s position. In doing this, one gains understanding and insight into what is really going on.
• You are now going to have some fun acting out certain situations. You will do your role play (stepping into someone else’s shoes, pretending to be someone else) in A GROUP. Remember that apart from the acting, what you say and how you say it are equally important.

Choose ONE of the following scenarios:

Your neighbours have gone away. You become aware of a faint yelping coming from their yard. On investigation, you discover that they have left their pet dog unattended. What do you do?

You receive a pet as a gift but know that you cannot fulfil the responsibility of owning a pet. How do you react?

Your girl-/boyfriend surprises you with a beautiful bunch of Arum Lilies. You know that it is a protected plant and that (s)he should not have picked them. How do you react?