Thursday week 10

Cowspiracy - presents jaw-dropping facts and statistics on how humanity’s dependence on meat and dairy is one of the leading contributors to climate change, and questions why no one wants to talk about it.

This movie introduces us to two important concepts:

“motivated blindness”
Refers to the human tendency to overlook information that works against what people want to believe, either because the belief is in their self-interest or simply because they have held the belief a long time and they are emotionally invested in retaining it.

"Motivated Blindness" consists not only of ignoring our own negligent or wrongful conduct, but it also includes overlooking questionable behavior in others when it is not in our best interest to raise questions.

“the bias toward normalcy”
The "bias toward normalcy" is a form of motivated blindness that occurs when the motivation is the desire to avoid disrupting one's normal way of living. It is, for example, the tendency of people to ignore signs that there is an impending disaster. People often underestimate the probability or extent of an expected disruption in their lives. Another way to describe the bias toward normalcy is that when people find themselves in unsettling circumstance, some have a tendency to shut down and pretend that everything will continue as it has in the past. People subject to the normalcy bias assume that everything will be much the same today as it was yesterday, despite clear signs to the contrary. 

...and how statistics can be used to mislead.

How do the above concepts apply to your choices and beliefs?

Cowspiracy - core issues

What is our responsibility as students and consumers?

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Argumentative text - what is it?

A text where you take a position on a controversial issue and you try to convince the reader that your opinion is the correct one.

Think about something in the film that you agree with OR don't agree with.

Your text should be a reaction to the film "Cowspiracy".

Suggestions of headlines for your text: (feel free to make up a catching headline of your own)

Give us our future back!
Why we must act on climate change now!
There is no business on a dead planet!


Complicated topic?
Make it as complicated as you want to. Write about y o u r opinion and y o u r every-day-life
+ add at least one example from the film. 
 
Grade/feedback
________________________________________________________________________________


When writing the text:


1. Take a stand! What is your opinion?

State your opinion clearly!
I think, I believe, According to me, In my opinion...

How to give your opinion



2. Structure 

You should have a clear
introduction, body (2-3 paragraphs), conclusion

Introduction:
What will this text be about? Include the topic and state your opinion. Make the reader interested! Catch the reader!
(Ex: start with a question, quote, or a fact)

Body:
Present your arguments in 2-3 paragraphs, one paragraph for each argument. Add information and your opinion. Give reasons!

First of all, firstly, secondly, thirdly, in addition to this, moreover, also...

Conclusion:
A summary of what you have written. You do not present any new opinions/arguments here, only tie the text together. You sum up what you have already discussed.

In conclusion, All in all...

Example essay



3. Language
Try to use as formal language as possible
(avoid slang, colloquial language etc.)

 Formal and informal English


Try to vary your language! Do not overuse the same words.
Use synonyms.
Ex: for example - for instance



Think about agreement!
Who is doing something and when?
The machine work well... (works)
She don't need to... (does not)
He have helped me in my life (has)



Spelling: Use spellright OR look up words you are unfamiliar with
Dictionary online



And finally, remember....

Jag = I
should vs would = borde - skulle
learn vs teach = lära sig - undervisa/lära ut

He would do it if he could = Han skulle göra det om han kunde
You really should do it! = borde

Today my teacher taught me how to write in English.
I learned how to write in English!



Useful links:


Words related to the film - see BLOG week 8
Words related to the environment
How to give your opinion
Example essay (pdf) Example essay (Word)
Formal and informal English
Dictionary online