The Reading / Listening - Graphic Novel - Level 6

A Singaporean graphic novelist has won three of the comic industry's equivalent of the Oscars. Sonny Liew picked up three Eisner Awards for his comic book, "The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye". The book is a satirical rewrite of Singaporean history. Mr Liew scooped the top prize for Best Writer/Artist, Best US Edition of International Material, and Best Publication Design at the awards ceremony. The annual awards show was held at the San Diego Comic-Con on Friday. Liew told reporters that he was surprised his book had done so well as he never expected he would get an international audience for it. He said: "I always wanted people to read the book and get a sense of how rich our history was."

Mr Liew's book outlines the history of Singapore from its struggle for independence from British colonial rule. As well as focusing on Singapore's founding father and first leader, the late Lee Kuan Yew, Liew also highlights the role played by lesser-known people. He said: "I think the so-called official narrative Singapore story is part of our history, but it's not the whole story and I wanted to tell a more inclusive version of our history. I hope that's what people reading the book will get from it." Liew initially feared his book would be unsuccessful after Singapore's National Arts Council withdrew a grant for the book. However, this brought the book a lot of attention and boosted exposure and sales.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Graphic Novel - Level 4  or  Graphic Novel - Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2017/07/23/alternate-history-of-singapore-scoops-comic-books-awards/
  • http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/sonny-liew-wins-three-comics-oscars
  • http://www.themalaymailonline.com/features/article/graphic-novelist-sonny-liew-is-first-singaporean-to-win-prestigious-eisner


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. GRAPHIC NOVELS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about graphic novels. 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?

       graphic novel / comic / industry / satirical / top prize / awards / reporters / history /
       struggle / independence / colonial rule / official / narrative / version / exposure / sales

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

3. NOVELS: Students A strongly believe novels are better than graphic novels; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. READING: What are the pros and cons of these ways of reading? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Pros

Cons

Graphic novels

 

 

Novels

 

 

Autobiographies

 

 

Encyclopedia

 

 

Newspapers

 

 

Blogs

 

 

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

6. NOVEL GENRES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best novel genres at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • fantasy
  • science fiction
  • espionage
  • urban fiction
  • historical
  • romantic
  • crime
  • action

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The graphic novelist won three awards at an awards ceremony.     T / F
  2. The awards show is held every two years.     T / F
  3. The writer largely wrote for a global audience.     T / F
  4. The writer wants people to get a sense of how wealthy Singapore is.     T / F
  5. The book is about Singapore up until independence from Britain.     T / F
  6. The book focuses on lesser-known characters in Singapore's history.     T / F
  7. Sonny Liew didn't think his book would be successful.     T / F
  8. The book got a grant taken away from it, which added to its success.     T / F

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

  1. novelist
  2. picked up
  3. satirical
  4. annual
  5. sense
  6. outlines
  7. struggle
  8. narrative
  9. withdrew
  10. boosted
  1. summarizes
  2. yearly
  3. awareness
  4. took away
  5. writer
  6. fight
  7. increased
  8. won
  9. account
  10. ironic

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

  1. the comic industry's equivalent
  2. Sonny Liew picked
  3. The book is a satirical rewrite
  4. at the awards
  5. get a sense of how rich
  6. Mr Liew's book outlines the
  7. its struggle for
  8. a more inclusive
  9. this brought the book a
  10. boosted exposure
  1. and sales
  2. ceremony
  3. our history was
  4. lot of attention
  5. up three Eisner Awards
  6. independence
  7. version of our history
  8. of the Oscars
  9. history of Singapore
  10. of Singaporean history

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
annual
rewrite
audience
sense
scooped
reporters
equivalent
expected

A Singaporean graphic novelist has won three of the comic industry's (1) ____________ of the Oscars. Sonny Liew picked up three Eisner Awards for his comic book, "The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye". The book is a satirical (2) ____________ of Singaporean history. Mr Liew (3) ____________ the top prize for Best Writer/Artist, Best US Edition of International Material, and Best Publication Design at the awards ceremony. The (4) ____________ awards show was held at the San Diego Comic-Con on Friday. Liew told (5) ____________ that he was surprised his book had done so well as he never (6) ____________ he would get an international (7) ____________ for it. He said: "I always wanted people to read the book and get a (8) ____________ of how rich our history was."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
lesser
initially
outlines
exposure
narrative
grant
colonial
version

Mr Liew's book (9) ____________ the history of Singapore from its struggle for independence from British (10) ____________ rule. As well as focusing on Singapore's founding father and first leader, the late Lee Kuan Yew, Liew also highlights the role played by (11) ____________ -known people. He said: "I think the so-called official (12) ____________ Singapore story is part of our history, but it's not the whole story and I wanted to tell a more inclusive (13) ____________ of our history. I hope that's what people reading the book will get from it." Liew (14) ____________ feared his book would be unsuccessful after Singapore's National Arts Council withdrew a (15) ____________ for the book. However, this brought the book a lot of attention and boosted (16) ____________ and sales.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A Singaporean graphic novelist has won three of the comic industry's ______ Oscars
     a.  equivalence of the
     b.  equivalency of the
     c.  equivalencies of the
     d.  equivalent of the

2)  Sonny Liew picked up three Eisner Awards ______
     a.  for his comical book
     b.  for his comic book
     c.  for his comics book
     d.  for his comically book

3)  The book is a satirical ______ history
     a.  rewritten of Singaporean
     b.  rewrites of Singaporean
     c.  rewriter of Singaporean
     d.  rewrite of Singaporean

4)  surprised his book had done so well as he never expected he would get an ______ for it
     a.  international audio ants
     b.  international or die ants
     c.  international audience
     d.  international audiences

5)  I always wanted people to read the book and get a sense of how ______ was
     a.  richness our history
     b.  rich our history
     c.  richly our history
     d.  riches our history

6)  Liew's book outlines the history of Singapore from its ______ independence
     a.  struggled for
     b.  struggle from
     c.  struggled fore
     d.  struggle for

7)  highlights the role played by ______ people
     a.  lesser-known
     b.  less a known
     c.  less and known
     d.  lesser-knowing

8)  I wanted to tell a more inclusive ______ history
     a.  verses of our
     b.  inversion of our
     c.  aversion of our
     d.  version of our

9)  I hope that's what people reading the book ______ it
     a.  will let from
     b.  will bet from
     c.  will net from
     d.  will get from

10)  this brought the book a lot of attention and ______ and sales
     a.  boasted exposure
     b.  boosted exposure
     c.  basted exposure
     d.  bested exposure

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A Singaporean graphic novelist has won (1) ___________________ comic industry's equivalent of the Oscars. Sonny Liew picked up three Eisner Awards for his comic book, "The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye". The book is (2) ___________________ of Singaporean history. Mr Liew scooped the top prize for Best Writer/Artist, Best US Edition of International Material, and Best Publication Design (3) ___________________ ceremony. The annual awards show (4) ___________________ the San Diego Comic-Con on Friday. Liew told reporters that he was surprised his book had done so well as he never expected (5) ___________________ international audience for it. He said: "I always wanted people to read the book and (6) ___________________ how rich our history was."

Mr Liew's book outlines (7) ___________________ Singapore from its struggle for independence from British (8) ___________________. As well as focusing on Singapore's founding father and first leader, the late Lee Kuan Yew, Liew also highlights the role played by (9) __________________. He said: "I think the so-called official narrative Singapore story is part of our history, but it's not the whole story and I wanted (10) _________________ inclusive version of our history. I hope that's what people reading the book will get from it." Liew initially (11) ___________________ would be unsuccessful after Singapore's National Arts Council withdrew a grant for the book. However, this brought the book a lot of attention and boosted (12) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. How many awards did Sonny Liew win?
  2. What is the name of the awards?
  3. In what city was the awards show held?
  4. What did Sonny Liew think he would not get?
  5. What did Sonny Liew want people to get a sense of?
  6. What did the book show Singapore was struggling from?
  7. What did the book highlight besides Singapore's founding father?
  8. What did Sonny Liew want to tell a more inclusive version of?
  9. What did Sonny Liew initially fear regarding his book?
  10. What did Singapore's National Arts Council withdraw?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many awards did Sonny Liew win?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 1
d) 4

2) What is the name of the awards?
a) Manga Awards
b) Comic Novel Awards
c) Comic-Con Awards
d) Eisner Awards

3) In what city was the awards show held?
a) San Diego
b) Las Vegas
c) Tokyo
d) Santander

4) What did Sonny Liew think he would not get?
a) fame
b) money
c) an international audience
d) a new contract

5) What did Sonny Liew want people to get a sense of?
a) time
b) Singapore's rich history
c) Singapore's modern culture
d) comics

6) What did the book show Singapore was struggling from?
a) a lack of investment
b) poverty
c) British independence
d) history

7) What did the book highlight besides Singapore's founding father?
a) trade
b) the Merlion
c) Singaporean food
d) lesser-known people

8) What did Sonny Liew want to tell a more inclusive version of?
a) Singapore's history
b) Singaporean food
c) a graphic novel
d) stories

9) What did Sonny Liew initially fear regarding his book?
a) it would be unsuccessful
b) it would be banned
c) it would be pirated
d) it would not be read

10) What did Singapore's National Arts Council withdraw?
a) paints
b) a grant
c) a licence
d) attention

Role play

Role  A – Historical

You think historical fiction is the best genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their genres aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): crime, science fiction or fantasy.

Role  B – Crime

You think crime is the best genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their genres aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): historical fiction, science fiction or fantasy.

Role  C – Science Fiction

You think science fiction is the best genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their genres aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): crime, historical fiction or fantasy.

Role  D – Fantasy

You think fantasy is the best genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their genres aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):  crime, science fiction or historical fiction.

After reading / listening

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

'graphic'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'novel'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • outlines
    • well
    • late
    • so
    • unsuccessful
    • sales
    • picked
    • rewrite
    • annual
    • done
    • audience
    • sense

    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 - Alternate history of Singapore wins comics Oscars

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'novel'?
    3. What do you think of graphic novels?
    4. What's the difference between graphic novels and comic books?
    5. Do you prefer graphic novels or novels?
    6. What do you know about Singapore's history?
    7. What do you know about Comic Con?
    8. What is your favourite novel?
    9. How rich is the history of your country?
    10. What is your favourite comic?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the country name 'Singapore'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What country's struggle for independence impressed you most?
    5. Who was important in the founding of your country?
    6. In what way might graphic novels tell stories better?
    7. How can graphic novels help you learn English?
    8. What is the greatest part of your country's history?
    9. What kind of novel would you like to write?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Sonny Liew?

    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)

    A Singaporean graphic novelist has won three of the comic industry's (1) ____ of the Oscars. Sonny Liew picked (2) ____ three Eisner Awards for his comic book, "The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye". The book is a (3) ____ rewrite of Singaporean history. Mr Liew scooped the top prize for Best Writer/Artist, Best US Edition of International Material, and Best Publication Design at the awards ceremony. The annual awards show was (4) ____ at the San Diego Comic-Con on Friday. Liew told reporters that he was surprised his book had (5) ____ so well as he never expected he would get an international audience for it. He said: "I always wanted people to read the book and get a (6) ____ of how rich our history was."

    Mr Liew's book outlines the history of Singapore from its struggle (7) ____ independence from British colonial rule. As well as focusing on Singapore's (8) ____ father and first leader, the late Lee Kuan Yew, Liew also highlights the role played by lesser-(9) ____ people. He said: "I think the so-called official narrative Singapore story is part of our (10) ____, but it's not the whole story and I wanted to tell a more inclusive version of our history. I hope that's what people reading the book will get from it." Liew (11) ____ feared his book would be unsuccessful after Singapore's National Arts Council withdrew a (12) ____ for the book. However, this brought the book a lot of attention and boosted exposure and sales.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     equals     (b)     equivalent     (c)     equally     (d)     equally    
    2. (a)     on     (b)     up     (c)     at     (d)     to    
    3. (a)     saturate     (b)     satiate     (c)     sartorial     (d)     satirical    
    4. (a)     gripped     (b)     held     (c)     handed     (d)     grasped    
    5. (a)     doing     (b)     done     (c)     did     (d)     does    
    6. (a)     sensory     (b)     sensei     (c)     sense     (d)     sensor    
    7. (a)     by     (b)     at     (c)     for     (d)     on    
    8. (a)     finding     (b)     funding     (c)     founding     (d)     fending    
    9. (a)     knowingly     (b)     knew     (c)     knowing     (d)     known    
    10. (a)     history     (b)     historian     (c)     historical     (d)     historically    
    11. (a)     initially     (b)     initials     (c)     initialize     (d)     initial    
    12. (a)     grand     (b)     grunt     (c)     grant     (d)     grind

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the comic industry's qauniteelv of the Oscars
    2. a atisliacr rewrite of Singaporean history
    3. Mr Liew spdocoe the top prize
    4. at the awards oencymre
    5. The nuanla awards show
    6. get an international ieednauc for it

    Paragraph 2

    1. Mr Liew's book iesulotn the history of Singapore
    2. lggeurst for independence
    3. the so-called official raaervnti
    4. a more veiunlsci version of our history
    5. Liew yinliatil feared his book would be unsuccessful
    6. boosted oeerupsx and sales

    Put the text back together

    (    )     on Friday. Liew told reporters that he was surprised his book had done so well as he never

    (    )     rewrite of Singaporean history. Mr Liew scooped the top prize for Best Writer/Artist, Best US Edition of International Material,

    (    )     wanted people to read the book and get a sense of how rich our history was."

    (    )     Mr Liew's book outlines the history of Singapore from its struggle for independence from British colonial

    (  1  )     A Singaporean graphic novelist has won three of the comic industry's equivalent of the Oscars. Sonny Liew picked

    (    )     grant for the book. However, this brought the book a lot of attention and boosted exposure and sales.

    (    )     and Best Publication Design at the awards ceremony. The annual awards show was held at the San Diego Comic-Con

    (    )     expected he would get an international audience for it. He said: "I always

    (    )     is part of our history, but it's not the whole story and I wanted to tell a more inclusive

    (    )     up three Eisner Awards for his comic book, "The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye". The book is a satirical

    (    )     his book would be unsuccessful after Singapore's National Arts Council withdrew a

    (    )     highlights the role played by lesser-known people. He said: "I think the so-called official narrative Singapore story

    (    )     rule. As well as focusing on Singapore's founding father and first leader, the late Lee Kuan Yew, Liew also

    (    )     version of our history. I hope that's what people reading the book will get from it." Liew initially feared

    Put the words in the right order

    1. comic   of   Oscars   of   industry's   the   Three   the   equivalent   .
    2. Singaporean   a   history   satirical   The   rewrite   book   of   is   .
    3. surprised   so   his   well   book   He   had   was   done   .
    4. international   he   audience   would   He   get   never   an   expected   .
    5. our   of  get  the   history  how  a  book  was   rich  sense   and  Read  .
    6. struggle   Its   rule   colonial   British   from   independence   for   .
    7. the  lesser-   people  highlights  by   known  also  played   Liew   role   .
    8. our   I   tell   inclusive   history   to   more   of   wanted   a   version   .
    9. feared   initially   Liew   unsuccessful   be   would   book   his   .
    10. attention   this   book   of   ,   the   lot   However   brought   a   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A Singaporean graphic novelist has won three of the comic industry's equivalent / equivalency of the Oscars. Sonny Liew picked on / up three Eisner Awards for his comic book, "The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye". The book is a satanic / satirical rewrite of Singaporean history. Mr Liew scoped / scooped the top prize for Best Writer/Artist, Best US Edition of International Material, and Best Publication Design at the awards / awarded ceremony. The annual awards show was hold / held at the San Diego Comic-Con on Friday. Liew told reporters that he was surprising / surprised his book had done so well as he never expectant / expected he would get an international audience for / of it. He said: "I always wanted people to read the book and get a sense / sensible of how rich our history was."

    Mr Liew's book lines / outlines the history of Singapore from its struggle for independence / independent from British colonial rule / ruler. As well as focusing on / in. Singapore's founding father and first leader, the late Lee Kuan Yew, Liew also highlights the role played at / by lesser-known people. He said: "I think the so-called official narrative Singapore story is partner / part of our history, but it's not the whole story and I wanted to tell a more inclusive / reclusive version of our history. I hope that's what people reader / reading the book will get from it." Liew initially feared his book would be unsuccessful after Singapore's National Arts Council withdrawn / withdrew a grant for the book. However, this brought the book a lot of / for attention and boosted exposure and sales.

    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)

    _ S_ng_p_r__n gr_ph_c n_v_l_st h_s w_n thr__ _f th_ c_m_c _nd_stry's _q__v_l_nt _f th_ _sc_rs. S_nny L__w p_ck_d _p thr__ __sn_r _w_rds f_r h_s c_m_c b__k, "Th_ _rt _f Ch_rl__ Ch_n H_ck Chy_". Th_ b__k _s _ s_t_r_c_l r_wr_t_ _f S_ng_p_r__n h_st_ry. Mr L__w sc__p_d th_ t_p pr_z_ f_r B_st Wr_t_r/_rt_st, B_st _S _d_t__n _f _nt_rn_t__n_l M_t_r__l, _nd B_st P_bl_c_t__n D_s_gn _t th_ _w_rds c_r_m_ny. Th_ _nn__l _w_rds sh_w w_s h_ld _t th_ S_n D__g_ C_m_c-C_n _n Fr_d_y. L__w t_ld r_p_rt_rs th_t h_ w_s s_rpr_s_d h_s b__k h_d d_n_ s_ w_ll _s h_ n_v_r _xp_ct_d h_ w__ld g_t _n _nt_rn_t__n_l __d__nc_ f_r _t. H_ s__d: "_ _lw_ys w_nt_d p__pl_ t_ r__d th_ b__k _nd g_t _ s_ns_ _f h_w r_ch __r h_st_ry w_s."

    Mr L__w's b__k __tl_n_s th_ h_st_ry _f S_ng_p_r_ fr_m _ts str_ggl_ f_r _nd_p_nd_nc_ fr_m Br_t_sh c_l_n__l r_l_. _s w_ll _s f_c_s_ng _n S_ng_p_r_'s f__nd_ng f_th_r _nd f_rst l__d_r, th_ l_t_ L__ K__n Y_w, L__w _ls_ h_ghl_ghts th_ r_l_ pl_y_d by l_ss_r-kn_wn p__pl_. H_ s__d: "_ th_nk th_ s_-c_ll_d _ff_c__l n_rr_t_v_ S_ng_p_r_ st_ry _s p_rt _f __r h_st_ry, b_t _t's n_t th_ wh_l_ st_ry _nd _ w_nt_d t_ t_ll _ m_r_ _ncl_s_v_ v_rs__n _f __r h_st_ry. _ h_p_ th_t's wh_t p__pl_ r__d_ng th_ b__k w_ll g_t fr_m _t." L__w _n_t__lly f__r_d h_s b__k w__ld b_ _ns_cc_ssf_l _ft_r S_ng_p_r_'s N_t__n_l _rts C__nc_l w_thdr_w _ gr_nt f_r th_ b__k. H_w_v_r, th_s br__ght th_ b__k _ l_t _f _tt_nt__n _nd b__st_d _xp_s_r_ _nd s_l_s.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a singaporean graphic novelist has won three of the comic industry's equivalent of the oscars sonny liew picked up three eisner awards for his comic book "the art of charlie chan hock chye" the book is a satirical rewrite of singaporean history mr liew scooped the top prize for best writer/artist best us edition of international material and best publication design at the awards ceremony the annual awards show was held at the san diego comic-con on friday liew told reporters that he was surprised his book had done so well as he never expected he would get an international audience for it he said "i always wanted people to read the book and get a sense of how rich our history was"

    mr liew's book outlines the history of singapore from its struggle for independence from british colonial rule as well as focusing on singapore's founding father and first leader the late lee kuan yew liew also highlights the role played by lesser-known people he said "i think the so-called official narrative singapore story is part of our history but it's not the whole story and i wanted to tell a more inclusive version of our history i hope that's what people reading the book will get from it" liew initially feared his book would be unsuccessful after singapore's national arts council withdrew a grant for the book however this brought the book a lot of attention and boosted exposure and sales

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ASingaporeangraphicnovelisthaswonthreeofthecomicindustry'sequ
    ivalentoftheOscars.SonnyLiewpickedupthreeEisnerAwardsforhisco
    micbook,"TheArtofCharlieChanHockChye".Thebookisasatiricalrewri
    teofSingaporeanhistory.MrLiewscoopedthetopprizeforBestWriter/A
    rtist,BestUSEditionofInternationalMaterial,andBestPublicationDesi
    gnattheawardsceremony.TheannualawardsshowwasheldattheSan
    DiegoComic-CononFriday.Liewtoldreportersthathewassurprisedhi
    sbookhaddonesowellasheneverexpectedhewouldgetaninternationa
    laudienceforit.Hesaid:"Ialwayswantedpeopletoreadthebookandget
    asenseofhowrichourhistorywas."MrLiew'sbookoutlinesthehistoryof
    SingaporefromitsstruggleforindependencefromBritishcolonialrule.A
    swellasfocusingonSingapore'sfoundingfatherandfirstleader,thelate
    LeeKuanYew,Liewalsohighlightstheroleplayedbylesser-knownpeop
    le.Hesaid:"Ithinktheso-calledofficialnarrativeSingaporestoryisparto
    fourhistory,butit'snotthewholestoryandIwantedtotellamoreinclusiv
    eversionofourhistory.Ihopethat'swhatpeoplereadingthebookwillget
    fromit."LiewinitiallyfearedhisbookwouldbeunsuccessfulafterSingap
    ore'sNationalArtsCouncilwithdrewagrantforthebook.However,thisb
    roughtthebookalotofattentionandboostedexposureandsales.

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    People should read more graphic novels. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    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 this news. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. THE ART OF CHARLIE CHAN HOCK CHYE: Make a poster about this book. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. GRAPHIC NOVELS: Write a magazine article about getting children to read more graphic novels at school. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

    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 graphic novels. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on this. 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.)

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You