📰 Breaking News! Reporting Verbs & Spin
🎯 Lesson Focus
Advanced reporting verbs
Structure patterns
Register & stance
The concept of spin in language
1️⃣ Warm-Up: Breaking News
Scenario on the board:
School Funds Mismanagement Case
You see the following direct statements:
“I didn’t take the money.”
“We will investigate the issue.”
“Let’s stay calm.”
“You must not talk to the press.”
📝 Task 1: Change the Perspective
Rewrite each statement in at least two different ways, using different reporting verbs.
Example:
“I didn’t take the money.”
He said he hadn’t taken the money.
He denied taking the money.
🎨 Task 2: Meaning Spectrum
Place your sentences on a scale:
Neutral → Defensive → Authoritative
Which verbs sound neutral?
Which suggest self-protection?
Which express power or control?
Discuss:
How does the verb choice change the speaker’s image?
Which version sounds more dramatic?
2️⃣ The Plot Thickens…
Original Statement:
“I didn’t leak the documents.”
📝 Task 3: Compare the Tone
Rewrite the sentence using:
said
denied
claimed
insisted
Example:
He said he hadn’t leaked the documents.
He denied leaking the documents.
He claimed he hadn’t leaked the documents.
He insisted he hadn’t leaked the documents.
🤔 Reflection Questions
Which verb sounds the most neutral?
Which suggests doubt?
Which sounds defensive?
Which implies pressure or repetition?
💡 Language Insight: What is Spin?
Spin is the strategic presentation of information in a way that influences interpretation.
The fact may stay the same.
The impression changes.
👉 Reporting verbs are powerful tools of spin.
Example:
He said… (neutral)
He claimed… (distance/doubt)
He admitted… (responsibility)
He insisted… (defensive pressure)
3️⃣ Focus on Form: Reporting Verb Structures
🧠 Task 4: Match the Verb to the Structure
Place the verbs in the correct category.
A. Verb + that-clause
admit – claim – insist – maintain – acknowledge – reveal
B. Verb + -ing
deny – suggest – admit – recommend
C. Verb + to-infinitive
promise – refuse – agree – threaten
D. Verb + object + to-infinitive
urge – warn – advise – persuade
✏️ Task 5: Complete the Sentences
She denied __________ (take) the files.
They promised __________ (solve) the issue.
He urged the minister __________ (apologise).
The spokesperson claimed that the company __________ (act) legally.
She suggested __________ (postpone) the meeting.
📌 Grammar Check
Answer:
Why is it deny taking and NOT deny to take?
Why do we say urge someone to do?
Create your own example for one structure.
4️⃣ Newsroom Simulation
Scenario
Direct statement:
“We will fix the problem immediately.”
🗞 Task 6: Three News Versions
In groups, produce:
Neutral report
Formal / journalistic report
Critical / distancing report
Example:
Neutral:
They said they would fix the problem immediately.
Formal:
They promised to address the issue immediately.
Distancing:
They claimed they would resolve the issue immediately.
🎤 Discussion
Which version sounds most professional?
Which sounds sceptical?
How does vocabulary change perception?
If you were a journalist, which would you choose?
5️⃣ Error Investigation
Find, correct, and explain the mistake.
❌ Sentences
She suggested to resign.
He denied to have taken the money.
They urged that the minister to apologise.
✅ Correction Space
Write the correct version and explain the rule.
✔ Answers
She suggested resigning.
→ suggest + -ingHe denied having taken the money.
→ deny + -ing (perfect form possible)They urged the minister to apologise.
→ urge + object + to-infinitive
🎯 Final Reflection
How can reporting verbs manipulate perception?
Which verbs would politicians prefer?
Which verbs would investigative journalists prefer?
Can reporting verbs influence public opinion?
🧩 Optional Extension
Rewrite this statement using three different types of spin:
“The project failed.”
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