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Paul McGuire

People want to read good writing.  They will be interested if a piece of writing includes useful information.  One example is a short piece that describes various programmes.

Take  a page in a newspaper or magazine that lists television programmes and gives a short summary of what the viewer can expect.  The information in these few lines has to be precise and clear.

There should be enough to make the reader want to know more about a show,  if they are interested. This is a skill you should practise. Most people write more words than necessary.

Television Listings

6pm: The News

Thirty minutes of news from Hong Kong and around the World. Items include sport and politics.

6.30pm: Weather Report

Mary Chen reviews today's weather in

Hong Kong and gives a forecast for

tomorrow. She will tell you about weather in different cities and report on the local pollution index.

6.45pm: Business News

Reports and features about local businesses and businessmen. Get the latest on the Hang Seng Index. George Fan gives investment tips.

7pm: Hong Kong's Latest Model

Follow the fortunes of 12  local beauties in their bid to become the next famous  model. Tonight the girls take a make-up course. This is the most popular reality show on television.

8pm: Asian Wildlife

Tonight sees the return of this brilliant natural history programme. The camera work is superb. Don't miss this one!

8.30pm: Chinese Food

Tune in for your regular diet of noodles and stir fries. Chef Chen serves up a gourmet feast featuring fish and chicken. This programme leaves you with an appetite for more.

9pm Film: Night of the Long Shadows

This is a kung fu classic that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Watch and be amazed as the actors show their martial arts skills. It will take your breath away.

10.30pm: Racecourse Review

Sports reporters look at the horse racing tomorrow and offer tips.  Nobody can predict which horse will win, but it does not stop them trying. The programme includes highlights from last weekend's meeting.

11pm: Late News

A short summary of the main stories.

12 midnight: Fright Night

A scary episode of the series from the United States. Tonight, two boys get trapped in a haunted house. They think they have escaped when something unexpected happens. Do not watch this alone!

Glossary

To review  (v) -  to look back at

Investment (n) - saving, buying an asset

Gourmet (adj)  - high-quality food

To predict (v) - to guess

Haunted (adj) - ghostly

Questions

1. How long is the main news bulletin?

2. Who gives investment tips?

3. Which programme leaves you with an appetite for more?

4. What animals are racing?

5. What is the name of the scary programme?

Writing style

Programme listings often use short sentences. This helps to make the information clear and also is easier and quicker to read. Match up the short phrases below with the appropriate sentence.

Don't miss this one. Don't watch this alone. It will take your breath away.

6. You should definitely watch this programme

7. You will find this programme  very exciting

8. It would be better if you watched this programme with a friend

Crossword

There are  different types of programmes on television. Read the clues below and fill the boxes in the crossword.

comedy, drama, films, news, wildlife, sport

1. You find out what is happening every day

2. Programmes all about animals

3. People watch these at the cinema as well as on TV

4. Basketball, soccer and tennis are three examples

5. These programmes make you laugh

6. Programmes that tell stories

Answers: 1. 30  minutes; 2. George Fan; 3. Chinese Food; 4. horses; 5. Fright Night; 6. Don't miss this one; 7. It will take your breath away; 8. Don't watch this alone.

Crossword: 1. News; 2. wildlife; 3. films; 4. sport; 5. comedy; 6. drama



Make it precise and clear