Week 6 London Riots

Unlike Los Angeles or Paris, the riots are not happening in ghettos where nobody goes. They are happening amid the organic gastropubs and latte bars. Alongside poverty, inner London is full of the sort of middle-class progressives who agree with Ken Livingstone that the rioters “feel no one at the top of society, in government or City Hall, cares about them or speaks for them”.

Articles: Telegraph and The Huffington Post

1. Read both articles Find English synonyms (and/or explain in English) the following words:

Getting one up on the police (pg.1, paragraph 3) To let off steam (pg.1, paragraph 3) Have been on edge for ages (pg.1, paragraph 4) Blaming the cuts (pg.1, paragraph 4) Started kicking off in (pg.2, paragraph 1) Stripped of TVs (pg.2, paragraph 2) Smashed in (pg.2, paragraph 2) There for the taking (pg.2, paragraph 2) *Next article* Clawing at my legs (pg.3, paragraph 2) Give priority to (pg.3, paragraph 3) Law-free zone (pg.3, paragraph 4) Mugged (pg.4, paragraph 1) Frantically (pg.4, paragraph 2) Fancied my taxi (pg.4, paragraph 3) Original outbreak (pg.4, paragraph 6)

2. Think about 1. Which article are you more empathetic towards? Explain.2. How would characterize the style of writing in these articles? Give examples.3. Do you find similar points of view? Or are they very different?

Written Exercise

300-350 words In the style of article: personal, drawing upon emotions, detail and

descriptions, looking back on events, personal pronoun “I” and how I is/was affected; results and consequences

Using the discussion and knowledge you have gain in today’s class. Choose from (a) or (b)

(a) Respond to these articles from the point of view of a rioter who was involved in the London riots. Outline your motives for rioting and the consequences of being involved in these riots.

Or

(b) You are a tourist visiting London during the riots. You hope to visit London again for the Olympics in 2012. Write an article for your local newspaper in a similar style to these articles read in class. You must outline your horror, disbelief and fear at what is taking place.