Now try to argue both sides of the issue. Look at both lists and choose two or three of the strongest points from each. You may use other arguments that you think of yourself. Use the phrases above.

Does Television ‘Know Its Place’?

The question of whether television violence leads to real life violence is not settled, although many prominent people have expressed opinions on the subject. I. McEdwin, the author of many books on political affairs, international relation, and philosophy, says the following:

‘It appears that the children spend more time in front of their TVs than in the classroom. Their heads are full of TV – but that’s all, just TV. The violence they witness is TV violence, sufficient to itself. It does not brutalize them to the point where they cannot grieve the loss of a pet, for example. Children, like everyone else, know the difference between TV and life. TV knows its place. It imparts nothing but itself; it has its own rules, its own language, its own priorities. Besides, children do not remember much from television programmes beyond how good or bad it was.’

(http://118.51.201/bol/default.cfm)

Answer the following questions.

1. According to the author ‘Children are not affected by television violence’. Discuss whether television is really as ineffectual as the author believes. Think of your own arguments against the author’s viewpoint.

TV or the Written Word?

Here’s one person’s opinion: ‘Literature has a long history and a secure position in the world. Millions of people read books in their spare time for enjoyment. Whatevercinema, video, TV industry might now say, television will never have the influence on people that the invention of the written word has had. The book – this set of sheets bound into a volume - is always near at hand. It is portable and unbreakable. You don’t have to buy batteries for the book, it is endlessly reusable, it works in planes and trains. Books can be stored indefinitely, and – the most wonderful of all – books can be our best friends!’

Answer the following questions.

1. Do you agree with the claim that television will never have the influence on people that the invention of the written word has had?

2. What are some other advantages of books over television?

Terrible or Terrific?

This is what a British theatre-goer says: ‘The first night is any new show’s most important performance. Why? For one very simple reason – it’s the one which the CRITICS come to see. Their reviews will tell the general public whether the theatre latest production is TERRIFIC or TERRIBLE! – A TRIUMPH or a DISASTER! So when the lights go down and the curtain goes up on a first night, it’s no wonder that the atmosphere in the theatre is usually electric. Very few people will go near a theatre carrying a play or musical that has been ‘banned’ by the majority of critics. So, it is one of the strange things about theatre that a first-night audience will clasp and cause a number of curtain calls with little regard to the quality of the play and their own feelings.’

(http://118.51.201/bol/default.cfm)

Answer the following questions.

1. Which of the following statements best expresses the author’s claim?

a)Show-goers are absolutely guided by newspaper critics whose reports they follow pretty slavishly.

b) The greater part of theatrical productions is of great artistic value.

c) On the day of the first night the atmosphere in the theatre is usually electric.

2. Choosing a play to see you are guided by a) critics’ opinion; b) other people’s opinion; c) your own opinion? Why?

Is Acting a Risky Business?

A young actress who has been on the stage for 2 years is talking about her job:

‘Avoiding rejection is a great fear for many actors. The vast majority never get to choose their work. They have to audition for a director they may never have heard of, facing maddening competition from hundreds, possibly thousands of actors who want the same job. Once they get the part, they spend the rest of the job being told what to do and if they refuse they are fired and replaced within hours. Acting must be some of the worst jobs in the western world.

Then when they perform the show, they are at the mercy of the critics. If the show doesn’t get good reviews, it’s awful, if an actor is singled out for criticism, it’s the end of the world. It’s also the end of the world if another actor is singled out for praise, especially if you have a similar-sized part.

Then there is the horror of the job ending and nothing else being on the horizon. And this isn’t just fear of having no work. It’s the fear of never working again! I’m not kidding. At the back of every actor’s mind is the thought “Well, that’s it. This was my last ever job as an actor. No one ever wants to work with me again.’

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