The Reading / Listening - Level 3

An employee of the Trump Organisation has admitted plagiarism in helping to write Melania Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention. Mrs Trump was speaking at the convention to support her husband Donald becoming the Republican nominee in the race to be President of the USA in November. She made a speech about how great she thought her husband was. Unfortunately, many journalists recognised several lines from the speech. They were identical to lines in a speech given by Michelle Obama in 2008 about her husband Barack. Newspapers have been full of stories in recent days about how Donald Trump's organisation allowed Mrs Trump to make a speech that was plagiarised.

Plagiarism is copying the work of other people without saying you are copying it. Students are taught from a very young age not to copy because it is stealing. Students who copy the work of others usually receive an F-grade for their work. Schools often expel students for plagiarism. Dr Alex Goodall, a university examination expert, said: "Melania's speech offers us a graphic example of plagiarism in action, from the highest levels of American politics." Writing expert Dr Declan Kavanagh said that because of the plagiarism, people will not trust or believe her words. Donald Trump said the story was "good news" because the speech, "got more publicity than any [speech] in the history of politics".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36850215
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/07/19/teachers-melania-trump-would-have-gotten-an-f-or-even-expelled-if-shed-turned-in-her-speech-for-a-class/
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/20/us/politics/melania-trump-convention-speech.html?_r=0


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. PLAGIARISM: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about plagiarism. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

       employee / plagiarism / convention / nominee / journalists / speech / recent / stories
       copying / students / F-grade / examination / expert / politics / example / trust

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. A CRIME: Students A strongly believe plagiarism should be a crime; Students B strongly believe it shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. POLITICS: How bad id it when politicians do these things? Discuss this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Lie
  • Break promises
  • Plagiarise
  • Take money
  • Attack other people
  • Steal from the country
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. COPY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "copy". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. SPEECH: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things about a speech at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • People remember it
  • It makes you think
  • It touches your heart
  • It makes you listen
  • It's your own words
  • It's short
  • It's funny
  • It's interesting

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Donald Trump said his wife's speech was plagiarised.     T / F
  2. Melania Trump was speaking at the Democrat National Convention.     T / F
  3. Melania made a speech about how great she thought Donald Trump was. T / F
  4. Melania's speech contained parts of a 2008 Michelle Obama speech.     T / F
  5. Students can get an F-grade for plagiarism.     T / F
  6. An examination expert said Melania's speech was not plagiarism.     T / F
  7. A writing expert said people would still trust Melania.     T / F
  8. Donald Trump though the plagiarism story was good news.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. employee
  2. support
  3. great
  4. several
  5. allowed
  6. copying
  7. receive
  8. offers
  9. expert
  10. publicity
  1. get
  2. let
  3. provides
  4. wonderful
  5. specialist
  6. worker
  7. attention
  8. duplicating
  9. help
  10. a number of

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. An employee of
  2. helping to write
  3. the Republican
  4. the race
  5. make a speech
  6. Plagiarism is copying the
  7. taught from a very young
  8. receive an F-grade
  9. the highest
  10. the speech got more
  1. work of other people
  2. to be President
  3. levels
  4. that was plagiarised
  5. nominee
  6. for their work
  7. the Trump Organisation
  8. publicity
  9. age not to copy
  10. Melania Trump's speech

Melania and Michelle

Look at these two extracts from the speeches of Michelle Obama and Melania Trump. What do you think? Talk about them with your partner(s).

Michelle Obama said in 2008:

"...and pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children – and all children in this nation – to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

Melania Trump said on Monday:

"..and we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
nominee
race
several
admitted
full
convention
great
identical

An employee of the Trump Organisation has (1) ____________ plagiarism in helping to write Melania Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention. Mrs Trump was speaking at the (2) ____________ to support her husband Donald becoming the Republican (3) ____________ in the (4) ____________ to be President of the USA in November. She made a speech about how (5) ____________ she thought her husband was. Unfortunately, many journalists recognised (6) ____________ lines from the speech. They were (7) ____________ to lines in a speech given by Michelle Obama in 2008 about her husband Barack. Newspapers have been (8) ____________ of stories in recent days about how Donald Trump's organisation allowed Mrs Trump to make a speech that was plagiarised.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
grade
action
trust
saying
stealing
publicity
expert
levels

Plagiarism is copying the work of other people without (9) ____________ you are copying it. Students are taught from a very young age not to copy because it is (10) ____________. Students who copy the work of others usually receive an F-(11) ____________ for their work. Schools often expel students for plagiarism. Dr Alex Goodall, a university examination (12) ____________, said: "Melania's speech offers us a graphic example of plagiarism in (13) ____________, from the highest (14) ____________ of American politics." Writing expert Dr Declan Kavanagh said that because of the plagiarism, people will not (15) ____________ or believe her words. Donald Trump said the story was "good news" because the speech, "got more (16) ____________ than any [speech] in the history of politics".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  speaking at the convention to support her husband Donald becoming the ______
     a.  Republican nominees
     b.  Republican gnome in knee
     c.  Republican no mini
     d.  Republican nominee

2)  She made a speech about how great she thought ______
     a.  her husband was
     b.  her husband be
     c.  her husband are
     d.  her husband were

3)  Unfortunately, many journalists recognised several ______ speech
     a.  limes from the
     b.  lies from the
     c.  lanes from the
     d.  lines from the

4)  Newspapers have been full of stories in recent ______
     a.  days about now
     b.  days about how
     c.  days about show
     d.  days about wow

5)  Donald Trump's organisation allowed Mrs Trump to make a speech ______
     a.  what was plagiarised
     b.  that was plagiarised
     c.  this was plagiarised
     d.  there was plagiarised

6)  Plagiarism is copying the work of other people without saying you ______
     a.  are copied it
     b.  are copiable it
     c.  are copying it
     d.  are coping it

7)  Students are taught from a very young age not to copy because ______
     a.  it is stolen
     b.  it is steeling
     c.  it is stealing
     d.  it is steel in

8)  Students who copy the work of others usually receive an F-______ work
     a.  grade for their
     b.  grade for them
     c.  grade for they're
     d.  grade for though

9)  Melania's speech offers us a graphic example of plagiarism in action, from ______
     a.  the highest level
     b.  the higher levels
     c.  the highest levelers
     d.  the highest levels

10)  Donald Trump said the story was "good news" because the speech ______
     a.  got more publicity
     b.  got more publicly
     c.  got more publicise
     d.  got more probability

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

(1) ___________________ Trump Organisation has admitted plagiarism in helping to write Melania Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention. Mrs Trump was speaking (2) ___________________ to support her husband Donald becoming the Republican (3) ___________________ race to be President of the USA in November. She made a speech about how (4) ___________________ her husband was. Unfortunately, many journalists recognised several lines from the speech. They (5) ___________________ lines in a speech given by Michelle Obama in 2008 about her husband Barack. Newspapers have been (6) ___________________ recent days about how Donald Trump's organisation allowed Mrs Trump to make a speech that was plagiarised.

Plagiarism is copying (7) ___________________ other people without saying you are copying it. Students are taught from a very young age not to copy because it is stealing. Students who copy the work (8) ___________________ receive an F-grade for their work. Schools often expel students for plagiarism. Dr Alex Goodall, a university examination expert, said: "Melania's speech (9) ___________________ example of plagiarism in action, from the (10) ___________________ American politics." Writing expert Dr Declan Kavanagh said that because of the plagiarism, people will (11) ___________________ her words. Donald Trump said the story was "good news" because the speech, "got more publicity than any [speech] (12) ___________________ politics".

Comprehension questions

  1. Who did the employee who admitted plagiarism work for?
  2. What event was Melania speaking at?
  3. What or who did Melania want people to think was great?
  4. Who saw lines in Melania's speech that were similar to Michelle Obama's?
  5. When did Michelle Obama make her speech?
  6. From when are students taught not to copy?
  7. What grade do students get if they plagiarise?
  8. At what levels of US politics did an expert say the plagiarism took place?
  9. What is Dr Declan Kavanagh an expert in?
  10. What was Donald Trump happy the speech got?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who did the employee who admitted plagiarism work for?
a) Michelle Obama
b) the Trump Organisation
c) the White House
d) CNN

2) What event was Melania speaking at?
a) a plagiarism convention
b) a speech writing convention
c) the Democrat National Convention
d) the Republican National Convention

3) What or who did Melania want people to think was great?
a) her husband
b) the USA
c) the Republican Party
d) Michelle Obama

4) Who saw lines in Melania's speech that were similar to Michelle Obama's?
a) Barack Obama
b) Michelle Obama
c) journalists
d) her husband

5) When did Michelle Obama make her speech?
a) 2009
b) 2008
c) 2010
d) 2015

6) From when are students taught not to copy?
a) a young age
b) 12
c) when they can read
d) it depends

7) What grade so students get if they plagiarise?
a) D
b) E
c) F
d) C

8) At what levels of US politics did an expert say the plagiarism took place?
a) the highest levels
b) scary levels
c) levels 3 and 4
d) low levels

9) What is Dr Declan Kavanagh an expert in?
a) writing
b) speaking
c) listening
d) reading

10) What was Donald Trump happy the speech got?
a) a laugh
b) applause
c) a prize
d) publicity

Role play

Role A — It makes you listen

You think a speech that makes you listen is the best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): it's short, it's funny or it touches your heart.

Role B — It's short

You think a speech that is short is the best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): it makes you listen, it's funny or it touches your heart.

Role C — It's funny

You think a speech that is funny is the best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): it's short, it makes you listen or it touches your heart.

Role D — It touches your heart

You think a speech that touches your heart is the best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): it's short, it's funny or it makes you listen.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'copy'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'speech'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • other
    • age
    • grade
    • example
    • believe
    • history
    • helping
    • support
    • race
    • great
    • several
    • days

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Trump employee apologises for plagiarising Michelle Obama speech

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'plagiarism'?
    3. What did you learn at school about plagiarism?
    4. What do you think about what you read?
    5. Why do politicians need speech writers?
    6. How bad is this for Melania Trump?
    7. What do you think of Donald Trump?
    8. Why did the speech writer copy Michelle Obama?
    9. Why didn't the Republicans check the speech properly?
    10. What do you think of Melania Trump for using a plagiarised speech?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. How wrong is plagiarism?
    3. Should politicians write their own speeches?
    4. Why is plagiarism stealing?
    5. Should plagiarism be a crime?
    6. Is it OK to expel students from school for plagiarism?
    7. How lazy and uncreative are people who plagiarise?
    8. What does this story say about trusting politicians?
    9. What do you think Michelle Obama thinks about this?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Melania Trump?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    An employee of the Trump Organisation has (1) ____ plagiarism in helping to write Melania Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention. Mrs Trump was speaking at the convention to (2) ____ her husband Donald becoming the Republican nominee in the (3) ____ to be President of the USA in November. She made a speech about how great she thought her husband (4) ____. Unfortunately, many journalists recognised several lines from the speech. They were identical (5) ____ lines in a speech given by Michelle Obama in 2008 about her husband Barack. Newspapers have been full of stories in (6) ____ days about how Donald Trump's organisation allowed Mrs Trump to make a speech that was plagiarised.

    Plagiarism is copying the work of other people (7) ____ saying you are copying it. Students are taught from a very young age not to copy because it is (8) ____. Students who copy the work of others usually receive an F-grade for their work. Schools often (9) ____ students for plagiarism. Dr Alex Goodall, a university examination expert, said: "Melania's speech offers us a graphic example of plagiarism (10) ____ action, from the highest levels of American politics." Writing expert Dr Declan Kavanagh said that because of the plagiarism, people will not (11) ____ or believe her words. Donald Trump said the story was "good news" because the speech, "got more publicity than any [speech] in the (12) ____ of politics".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     admit     (b)     admits     (c)     admission     (d)     admitted    
    2. (a)     suppose     (b)     spirit     (c)     sport     (d)     support    
    3. (a)     fixture     (b)     race     (c)     heat     (d)     relay    
    4. (a)     been     (b)     be     (c)     was     (d)     were    
    5. (a)     of     (b)     by     (c)     to     (d)     at    
    6. (a)     recent     (b)     recant     (c)     recently     (d)     recount    
    7. (a)     with     (b)     without     (c)     wither     (d)     within    
    8. (a)     stealing     (b)     steal in     (c)     steeling     (d)     stolen    
    9. (a)     excel     (b)     expel     (c)     exhale     (d)     expect    
    10. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     in     (d)     to    
    11. (a)     trusted     (b)     trusty     (c)     trust     (d)     trusts    
    12. (a)     hysterical     (b)     historical     (c)     historian     (d)     history

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. ddametit plagiarism
    2. speaking at the eotoncinnv to support her husband
    3. the Republican ieenmno
    4. journalists recognised vresale lines
    5. They were lctndaeii
    6. laeldwo Mrs Trump to make a speech

    Paragraph 2

    1. Students are ghtatu from a very young
    2. usually eeicrve an F-grade
    3. Schools often elxpe students for plagiarism
    4. a university examination txpere
    5. the highest levels of American otcilpis
    6. got more iclbytpui

    Put the text back together

    (    )     in 2008 about her husband Barack. Newspapers have been full of stories in recent days about

    (    )     how Donald Trump's organisation allowed Mrs Trump to make a speech that was plagiarised.

    (    )     support her husband Donald becoming the Republican nominee in the race to be President of the USA in

    (    )     several lines from the speech. They were identical to lines in a speech given by Michelle Obama

    (    )     for their work. Schools often expel students for plagiarism. Dr Alex Goodall, a university examination

    (    )     young age not to copy because it is stealing. Students who copy the work of others usually receive an F-grade

    (    )     news" because the speech, "got more publicity than any [speech] in the history of politics".

    1  )     An employee of the Trump Organisation has admitted plagiarism in helping to write Melania Trump's speech

    (    )     of American politics." Writing expert Dr Declan Kavanagh said that because of the plagiarism, people will not

    (    )     November. She made a speech about how great she thought her husband was. Unfortunately, many journalists recognised

    (    )     at the Republican National Convention. Mrs Trump was speaking at the convention to

    (    )     trust or believe her words. Donald Trump said the story was "good

    (    )     Plagiarism is copying the work of other people without saying you are copying it. Students are taught from a very

    (    )     expert, said: "Melania's speech offers us a graphic example of plagiarism in action, from the highest levels

    Put the words in the right order

    1. at   Speaking   husband   her   support   to   convention   the   .
    2. her   A   how   thought   was   about   she   husband   speech   great   .
    3. by   in   Michelle   a   Identical   speech   to   given   lines   .
    4. days   of   Newspapers   stories   have   in   been   recent   full   .
    5. that   Allowed   to   speech   plagiarised  Trump   a   was   Mrs  make   .
    6. people   other   of   work   the   copying   is   Plagiarism   .
    7. a   young   not   Students   age   copy   taught   to   very   are   from   .
    8. plagiarism   for   students   expel   often   Schools   .
    9. example   plagiarism   action   graphic   of   in   A   .
    10. of   publicity   speech   history   More   any   the   politics   than   in   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    An employee of the Trump Organisation has admits / admitted plagiarism in helping / help to write Melania Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention. Mrs Trump was spoken / speaking at the convention to support her husband Donald becoming the Republican nominee in the racing / race to be President of the USA in November. She made / did a speech about how great she thought her husband be / was. Unfortunately, many journalists recognised sever / several lines from the speech. They were identical / identify to lines in a speech given by Michelle Obama in 2008 about her hubby / husband Barack. Newspapers have been full of stories in recent / recently days about how Donald Trump's organisation allowed Mrs Trump to make a speech that was plagiarised.

    Plagiarism is copying / coping the work of other people without saying you are copying it. Students are teaching / taught from a very young age not to copy because it is stolen / stealing. Students who copy the worked / work of others usually receive an F-grade for their work. Schools often excel / expel students for plagiarism. Dr Alex Goodall, a university examination expat / expert, said: "Melania's speech offers us a graphic example of plagiarism on / in action, from the highest levels of American politics." Writing expert Dr Declan Kavanagh said that because / due of the plagiarism, people will not trust or believe her words. Donald Trump said the stories / story was "good news" because the speech, "got more publicity / publicly than any [speech] in the history of politics".

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    _n _mpl_y__ _f th_ Tr_mp _rg_n_s_t__n h_s _dm_tt_d pl_g__r_sm _n h_lp_ng t_ wr_t_ M_l_n__ Tr_mp's sp__ch _t th_ R_p_bl_c_n N_t__n_l C_nv_nt__n. Mrs Tr_mp w_s sp__k_ng _t th_ c_nv_nt__n t_ s_pp_rt h_r h_sb_nd D_n_ld b_c_m_ng th_ R_p_bl_c_n n_m_n__ _n th_ r_c_ t_ b_ Pr_s_d_nt _f th_ _S_ _n N_v_mb_r. Sh_ m_d_ _ sp__ch _b__t h_w gr__t sh_ th__ght h_r h_sb_nd w_s. _nf_rt_n_t_ly, m_ny j__rn_l_sts r_c_gn_s_d s_v_r_l l_n_s fr_m th_ sp__ch. Th_y w_r_ _d_nt_c_l t_ l_n_s _n _ sp__ch g_v_n by M_ch_ll_ _b_m_ _n 2008 _b__t h_r h_sb_nd B_r_ck. N_wsp_p_rs h_v_ b__n f_ll _f st_r__s _n r_c_nt d_ys _b__t h_w D_n_ld Tr_mp's _rg_n_s_t__n _ll_w_d Mrs Tr_mp t_ m_k_ _ sp__ch th_t w_s pl_g__r_s_d.

    Pl_g__r_sm _s c_py_ng th_ w_rk _f _th_r p__pl_ w_th__t s_y_ng y__ _r_ c_py_ng _t. St_d_nts _r_ t__ght fr_m _ v_ry y__ng _g_ n_t t_ c_py b_c__s_ _t _s st__l_ng. St_d_nts wh_ c_py th_ w_rk _f _th_rs _s__lly r_c__v_ _n F-gr_d_ f_r th__r w_rk. Sch__ls _ft_n _xp_l st_d_nts f_r pl_g__r_sm. Dr _l_x G__d_ll, _ _n_v_rs_ty _x_m_n_t__n _xp_rt, s__d: "M_l_n__'s sp__ch _ff_rs _s _ gr_ph_c _x_mpl_ _f pl_g__r_sm _n _ct__n, fr_m th_ h_gh_st l_v_ls _f _m_r_c_n p_l_t_cs." Wr_t_ng _xp_rt Dr D_cl_n K_v_n_gh s__d th_t b_c__s_ _f th_ pl_g__r_sm, p__pl_ w_ll n_t tr_st _r b_l__v_ h_r w_rds. D_n_ld Tr_mp s__d th_ st_ry w_s "g__d n_ws" b_c__s_ th_ sp__ch, "g_t m_r_ p_bl_c_ty th_n _ny [sp__ch] _n th_ h_st_ry _f p_l_t_cs".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    an employee of the trump organisation has admitted plagiarism in helping to write melania trump's speech at the republican national convention mrs trump was speaking at the convention to support her husband donald becoming the republican nominee in the race to be president of the usa in november she made a speech about how great she thought her husband was unfortunately many journalists recognised several lines from the speech they were identical to lines in a speech given by michelle obama in 2008 about her husband barack newspapers have been full of stories in recent days about how donald trump's organisation allowed mrs trump to make a speech that was plagiarised

    plagiarism is copying the work of other people without saying you are copying it students are taught from a very young age not to copy because it is stealing students who copy the work of others usually receive an f-grade for their work schools often expel students for plagiarism dr alex goodall a university examination expert said "melania's speech offers us a graphic example of plagiarism in action from the highest levels of american politics" writing expert dr declan kavanagh said that because of the plagiarism people will not trust or believe her words donald trump said the story was "good news" because the speech "got more publicity than any [speech] in the history of politics"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AnemployeeoftheTrumpOrganisationhasadmittedplagiarisminhelpi
    ngtowriteMelaniaTrump'sspeechattheRepublicanNationalConventio
    n.MrsTrumpwasspeakingattheconventiontosupportherhusbandDon
    aldbecomingtheRepublicannomineeintheracetobePresidentoftheUS
    AinNovember.Shemadeaspeechabouthowgreatshethoughtherhusb
    andwas.Unfortunately,manyjournalistsrecognisedseverallinesfrom
    thespeech.TheywereidenticaltolinesinaspeechgivenbyMichelleOba
    main2008aboutherhusbandBarack.Newspapershavebeenfullofstori
    esinrecentdaysabouthowDonaldTrump'sorganisationallowedMrsTr
    umptomakeaspeechthatwasplagiarised.Plagiarismiscopyingthewor
    kofotherpeoplewithoutsayingyouarecopyingit.Studentsaretaughtfr
    omaveryyoungagenottocopybecauseitisstealing.Studentswhocopyt
    heworkofothersusuallyreceiveanF-gradefortheirwork.Schoolsofte
    nexpelstudentsforplagiarism.DrAlexGoodall,auniversityexaminatio
    nexpert,said:"Melania'sspeechoffersusagraphicexampleofplagiaris
    minaction,fromthehighestlevelsofAmericanpolitics."WritingexpertD
    rDeclanKavanaghsaidthatbecauseoftheplagiarism,peoplewillnottru
    storbelieveherwords.DonaldTrumpsaidthestorywas"goodnews"bec
    ausethespeech,"gotmorepublicitythanany[speech]inthehistoryofpo
    litics".

    Free writing

    Write about plagiarism for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Plagiarism is stealing and should be a crime. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about Melania Trump. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. PLAGIARISM: Make a poster about plagiarism. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. CRIME: Write a magazine article about plagiarism being made a crime. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on plagiarism. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on what to do with people who plagiarise. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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