1. Communication Workshop
Unit 24 Society
Communication Workshop
寿县安丰高中高二英语教研组

2. Objectives In this lesson, we’ll be able to
learn the vocabulary about crimes and punishments
work out the layout of a discursive essay
use linking words for reasons and results

3. Lead-in
What do the following pictures remind you of?

4. Brainstorming 1. What crimes do you know?
Name them as many as possible.
2. Which of the crimes are a problem in China?
3. What punishments would you give for the crimes?
optional

5. traffic accident crime
cyber crime
kidnapping
traffic accident crime
murder
blackmail
robbery
mayhem
Crime
break in
rape
shoplifting …
drug dealing
theft
fraud crime
bribery crime
crime of corruption

6. Key words about crime robbery drug dealing break in murder shoplifting
theft

7. Key words about punishment
1. The punishment of being sent to prison for the rest of one’s life
2. The punishment of being killed
3. The period of time someone must stay in prison
4. A sum of money you have to pay for breaking a law or rule
5. mild / heavy punishment
a. the death penalty ( capital punishment)
b. fine
c. prison sentence
d. soft / hard sentences
e. life sentence
optional

8. Key words about punishment
the death penalty
( capital punishment)
fine
prison sentence
soft/hard sentences
life sentence 死刑 罚款
监禁期
轻刑/重刑
无期徒刑

9. ?
Punishment
Crime

10. Main ideas of the letters
Mr/Ms Butcher supports the idea that harder sentences should be brought back, even the death penalty (capital punishment).
Letter 1
Letter 2
Mr Mason is against harder sentences, especially the death penalty ( capital punishment).

11. Some background about the situation
Layout of Letter 1
Introduce the topic
June 14
Polly Filler’s article last week was excellent as she condemns the “soft” sentences given to criminals in this country. My brother works as a police officer and he tells me that drug dealers and robbers can be out on the streets only a few weeks or months after committing their crimes, or even get let off with fines. What is even more unbelievable is the fact that some murderers are let out of prison after three or four years.(1) ________________ this, many people are losing faith in the British system of justice.
Some background about the situation
Possible effects

12. Examples and facts to support the argument
Express the attitude
I think we should bring back much harder sentences in this country, (2)__________ criminals are made to pay for what they have done. I totally agree with the American idea of “three strikes and out”– that after committing three crimes criminals are locked up for life. That is the only way of protecting society and preventing young people from leading a life of crime.
Examples and facts to support the argument

13. Examples and facts to support the argument
(3) __________ money is spent on prisons that they have become like hotels with televisions and gyms. Prisoners should be made to work and not be treated as holiday makers at a holiday camp.
I also believe we should bring the death penalty back to this country as in the States. When a person has killed somebody they don’t deserve to live. We also need to think about the wishes of the families and friends of murder victims who demand that justice be done.
conclusion

14. Layout of Letter 2
Introduce the topic
June 20
I was horrified to read RJ Butcher’s letter in this newspaper last week. He/She sees punishment as an opportunity for revenge. In my opinion, the primary goal of punishment should be to reform the person who has committed the crime . We need to help and reform criminals (4)_______ make them into useful members of the community. We also need to do away with the social problems, like drugs and poverty, that often lead to crime.
Express the attitude
Possible reasons

15. Examples and facts to support the argument
I am totally against harder sentences on principle and really feel the death penalty should be abolished. The only time that life sentences should be given is when a person is so dangerous that the community is at risk if he or she is let out of prison. Mr/Ms Butcher’s suggestion that we bring back the death penalty is even worse. Let’s face it, the death penalty is murder and no better than any other murder (5)_________ it is committed by the state. It is a cruel form of punishment which is against human dignity. Besides, it is highly unfair (6)___________ possible mistakes. In the USA in the last 100 years, 23 men have been wrongly sentenced to death and there are doubts about 400 other cases. The death penalty also affects some sections of the community much more than others. (7)_________ in the USA , the death penalty is not as likely if the victim is black and the murderer white as the other way around.
Express the attitude
Examples and facts to support the argument

16. Voice your opinion What is your opinion about crime and punishment?
Reading the two letters, which do you agree with most?

17. Ex. 3 Match the sentences listing arguments from a discursive essay(1-8) with personal opinions in the two letters.
1. I think we should bring back harder sentences.
2. I totally agree with the American idea of “three strikes and out”.
3. They have become like luxury hotels with television and gyms.

18. 4. I also believe we should restore capital punishment in this country.
We also need to think about the wishes of the families and friends.
6. I am totally against harder sentences on principle.
7. Capital punishment is judicial murder.
8. It is a savage form of punishment which is against human dignity.

19. Ex. 4 Read the letters again and complete the gaps with these linking words (reason/result)
1.As a result of so that
3. So much in order to
5. just because due to
7. Consequently