1 Corinthians 13: 1 & 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

13 January 2011

Book Report:The street lawyer (4B Chan Ka Yan)

Book: The street lawyer
Publisher: Penguin Books
Writer: John Grisham
Student name: Chan Ka Yan (4B)

Story / Plot:
Michael works for Drake and Sweeney as a lawyer and he earns lots of money. One day, a homeless man, Mister, goes to Drake and Sweeney because of an eviction. He attacks Michael, but Mister is shot by the policeman and is dead. Michael tries to discover who this man is, but he discovers a secret about Drake and Sweeney. The eviction is illegal and it leads to the deaths of Lonatae Burton and her children. At least, Michael’s life has changed. He is still a lawyer, but a lawyer for the homeless.

Setting / Blackground:
There are 400 lawyers working for Drake & Sweeney and they are paid an unbelievable amount of money. Although the lawyers earn a lot, they do not even help poor people. The cost for their lunch can feed a hundred of homeless people with soup, and Mister becomes homeless because of Drake & Sweeney’s eviction. That’s why Mister attacks the lawyers of D& S.

The main male character/ hero is called Michael
Short description of his appearance, personality etc: Michael is a rich lawyer. He has a wife called Claire, who is a doctor. Since both of them are very busy, it causes the end of their marriage. After their divorce, he meets Megan, who works for the homeless and it changes his life.

My favourite character is Michael
Reasons: At the beginning, Michael is not a good or kind person. He only cares about money and ignores his wife. But after the attack of Mister, he tries to know more about the homeless people. He tries to change himself from a person who is against homeless people to the one who helps them. I like him because he become a kind person. Although all of us are not perfect, we should change ourselves and try our best to achieve perfection

The most impressive episode/ scene is the march to the government buildings.
Reason(s) why impresses me:
Lonatae Burton has three children, Alenzo, Untario and the baby Temeko. They were homeless. In a cold night, they sleep in a car and Lontae Burton starts the engine of the old car to keep themselves warm. The air in the car poisoned them and they all die. After their funeral, there is a march to Capitol Hill for Burton family. It impresses me because the homeless people are very poor, but they unite together and march for Burton family. Their kindness really impresses me. I wonder why rich people in the story can’t do that or help the homeless people.

Comments / Reflections:
From the story, I can learn money is not everything. Michael has lots of money, but he is not happy and his marriage is not good. Later, when Michael begins to help homeless people, he becomes happier. To sum up, we will be happy when we always help people. Also, it’s important to talk with our families, friends regularly so that they can know more about each other and there will not be any misunderstanding.

6 January 2011

Honesty of reporters. Trust of readers(6A Frankie Chan)

As we all know, reading more current news is important for both students and people from all walks of life. We will totally lose the track of the world if we do not know about the news. Therefore, reading newspaper every day is a necessity for us. In order to make profit for their companies, the local reports are trying hard to dig out more news that readers seldom heard, even ignoring the credibility of newspapers which is, in contract, very important to the society. Let us discuss the issue in the following.

First and foremost, ignoring the accuracy of the reports is serious especially in the entertainment session of the newspaper. They all know that the readers attention can be drawn if they report some news the readers rarely know. Thus the commission for them will increase and so thus their profit. It is the main factor for them to write the reports without any evidence. Money looks as if the ‘delicious food’ in their eyes and they just want to get it in any methods both legal and illegal. Everyone who buys newspaper will be misguided in these ‘horrible’ reports. The credibility of the newspaper reports will be decreased although the ‘goal’ of them are fulfilled.

On the other hand, ‘paparazzi’ style of reporting is also serious among Hong Kong newspapers. Staying out the buildings that the ‘target artists’ lived is just a tip of iceberg. Following them and taking photos in the private places are also common among Hong Kong newspapers. The main reason for the reporters is to satisfy the curiosity of readers. Reporters caught up their curiosity and thus chasing the ‘targets’ that readers want to know. Effective though the method that reporters used, the freedom of artists or the victims will be ignored, as they are not invincible, stress comes to them and the pressure is harder to deal with.

After discussing the problems with Hong Kong newspapers, we can dig out that the credibility of reporters will be decreased eventually. But better late than never. If we want to save their credibility, the ways for them to improve is essential and urgent.

First of all, as the accuracy of reports are doubted by people, we can focus on it and find out some solution. I strongly believe that inviting some victims for the interview is an effective method to prove the truth of news. It does not only increase the accuracy of reports but also preserves people to trust the news and the newspaper companies.

Furthermore, as we discussed before, money is the main reason that attract reports to abuse the reporting press. To address on this problem, the companies of newspaper can join together for setting up some rules to save their credibility. To illustrate, the salaries of reporters will be lowered if the news they wrote is fake and the proof can be shown. After establishing this rule, the companies who jointed can post it to their own brand of newspapers and show it to the public. This does not only control the style of ‘paparazzi’ but also improves the quality of newspapers.

Having, ‘trust’ is important in the society by all parties. When the readers trust what reporters wrote, the reporters need to behave themselves, ‘Honesty’ is the essential part to maintain a harmonious society. If the readers can write the reports honestly, the readers will trust them and keep buying their newspapers I strongly believe that those a cycle. Start doing it from this moment is the only way to improve the credibility. Please take it as a serious problem and solve it right now!

4 January 2011

Letter to the Editor(6B Leroy Yuen)

Dear Editor,

As a volunteer worker for the Cancer Foundation, I am writing to invite the public to take part in our coming charity run. One may ask why this charity run matters or what they would gain from this activity. Let me assure you that by joining this charity run not only are you helping the people in need, but you are also helping yourself.

First of all, the run raises money for cancer patients. The funds raised will be used in cancer research, which is incredibly crucial in the development of cancer treatment. A huge number of people are killed by this apathetic killer every year. We urgently need more advanced cancer treatment and medical technology, and this can be achieved by doing cancer research. Therefore, we really hope people can support us by participating in the run and showing their generosity to the cancer patients. The continual development of cancer research needs money. With your donations, we can go further in cancer research and thousands of precious lives will be saved.

Secondly, the charity run also helps in raising public awareness of the cancer disease. I believe many people know that cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. Nevertheless, how many people truly understand the suffering of the cancer patients and thus offer comfort and help? In fact, everyone can give a hand; everyone can do something to alleviate the pain of the cancer patients. By participating in the charity run, you will know more about this disease and may have the chance to talk to some cancer patients. You are not just there to run; you are also showing your support and encouragement to the cancer patients.

Thirdly, this charity run provides a great chance for people to relax and have fun with their friends and family. The activity also helps them broaden their social lives as they will meet new friends. More, this run gives people a chance to exercise. Hong Kong people are too busy to think about their own health, family and friends. It is time for them to stop working and do something meaningful and relaxing, such as joining our charity run, together with their family and friends.

It is better to give than to receive. We should be thankful for what we have and reach out to the people who need our help. For the sake of a batter, peaceful world, let’s participate in the charity run together!

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong