Enter
Follow the clues to track down a missing pop star and write a newspaper report about it.
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Select the bin to see if
Ricky Reverb has thrown
away any evidence that
might give you clues
about where he is.
Back
Select each item of garbage for clues.

When you've checked them all, select Next.
You need to search all the garbage before moving on.
Back
Next
Complete the clues by selecting each empty box. Then choose the correct information.

The Tinsel Town Awards Committee requests the company of
Ricky Reverb and guest at the Pop Idol awards.

10 July at 8.00 pm
Tinsel Town Concert Hall

Email to: Amanda From: Ricky
Received: 8 July 2004, 10.00 pm

My darling Amanda,
Meet me at Surfers airport tomorrow, 9 July at 11 am. Will explain
everything then. It's urgent. Don't be late.
Love you always,
Ricky XXX

Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel

Amount: $250.00
Received from: Ricky Reverb
For: Chapel booking for 1 hour from 1.00–2.00 pm,
Tuesday, 9 July

9 July 8.00 am
Treatment: shampoo and blow dry
Sum received with thanks: $50.00

Airline Itinerary
Confirming your flight details for 9 July:

Depart: Tinsel Town at 10.00 am
Arrive: Surfers Paradise at 10.55 am

The first clue is filled in for you.
When?
(date/time)
Where?
(source of info)
What happened?
(info given by clue)
15 July
magazine article
release of Ricky's new CD
  • 10 July at 1.00 pm
  • 9 July at 12.00 pm
  • 9 July at 1.00 pm
  • booking receipt
  • plane ticket
  • surfboard receipt
  • Ricky is going to perform in Surfers Paraside Seaside Chapel
  • Ricky has a booking at Surfers Paraside Seaside Chapel
  • Ricky has a booking at Surfers Paraside Seaside Cafe
Back to the bin
You need to
complete all
the clues
before
moving on.
Select Next to enter
the information in your
notebook.
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So who did what, when, where, why, and how?

To put the clues in order, first select the evidence for Monday, 8 July.
July

8 Monday

9 Tuesday

10 Wednesday

15 Monday

When?
(date/time)
Where?
(source of info)
What happened?
(info given by clue)
15 July
magazine article
release of Ricky Reverb's new CD
10 July at
8.00 pm
invitation to
awards
Ricky Reverb accepts for two
people to attend pop awards
9 July at
10.00 am
travel details
confirms Ricky Reverb's flight
to Surfers Paradise at this time
9 July at
8.00 am
hairdresser
receipt
Ricky Reverb visits hairdresser
for shampoo and blow dry
9 July at
1.00 pm
booking receipt
Ricky Reverb has booked the
Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel
for one hour
8 July at
10.00 pm
email
asks girlfriend to meet him at Surfers airport
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July
8 Monday

10.00 pm (email) Ricky Reverb asks
girlfriend to meet him at Surfers airport.

9 Tuesday

8.00 am (receipt) He visits hairdresser for
shampoo and blow dry.

10.00 am (travel details) Itinerary confirms
his flight to Surfers at this time.

1.00 pm (booking receipt) Ricky Reverb has a
booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.

10 Wednesday

8.00 pm (invitation to awards) Ricky Reverb
accepts for two people to attend pop awards
at Tinsel Town Concert Hall, but doesn't
show.

15 Monday

(magazine article) Release of Ricky Reverb's
new CD.

Select the newspaper to see how a newspaper report is written.
Back
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Select each section of
text to find out about the
structure of a newspaper
report.

Then select Next.
This newspaper report combines factual recount and description. Newspaper reports inform readers about important events.
Ricky Reverb missing!
Pop star Ricky Reverb did not show up at the Pop Idol awards ceremony last night. His agent, Kat McCool, accepted his award for him.
Ms McCool said the last time they had spoken was at 6.00 pm on Monday, when he told her he didn’t want to be disturbed the next day. He sounded perfectly normal, she said.
She described Ricky Reverb as a talented musician who cared about his fans. She promised she would do anything she could to help the police with their enquiries.
Back
Next
Roll over or tab to the highlighted phrases to find out more about the language used in a newspaper report.

Then select Next.
Ricky Reverb missing!

Pop star Ricky Reverb did not
show up at the Pop Idol awards
ceremony last night.
Ricky's
agent, Kat McCool, accepted his
award for him.

Earlier today, Ms McCool said the
last time
they had spoken was at
6.00 pm on Monday,
when he
told her he didn’t want to be
disturbed the next day. He
sounded perfectly normal, she
said.

She described Ricky Reverb as a talented musician who
cared about his fans. She promised she would do anything
she could to help the police with their enquiries.

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Next
Select each empty box in the sentences
and then choose the correct fact.
Clues July
8 Monday

10.00 pm (email) Ricky Reverb asks girlfriend to
meet him at Surfers airport.

9 Tuesday

8.00 am (receipt) He visits hairdresser for
shampoo and blow dry.

10.00 am (travel details) Itinerary confirms his
flight to Surfers at this time.

1.00 pm (booking receipt) Ricky Reverb has a
booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.

10 Wednesday

8.00 pm (invitation to awards) Ricky Reverb
accepts for two people to attend pop awards at
Tinsel Town Concert Hall, but doesn't show.

15 Monday

(magazine article) Release of Ricky Reverb's new CD.

Complete the sentences
On Monday, 8 July at 10.00 pm, Ricky Reverb sent
an email to his girlfriend, asking her to meet him at
Surfers airport.
On Tuesday, 9 July at 8.00 am, Ricky Reverb
visited the hairdresser for a shampoo and blow dry.
Then at 10.00 am, he flew to Surfers Paradise.
Later the same day, at 1.00 pm, Ricky Reverb had
a booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.
The next night, Wednesday, 10 July at 8.00 pm,
the pop Idol awards at Tinsel Town Concert Hall was
held. Ricky Reverb had accepted for two people, but
didn't show up.
On Monday, 15 July, Ricky Reverb's new CD will be
released.
Check the facts in your notebook and try again. Make sure your sentences are accurate.
  • Tuesday
  • Monday
  • Wednesday
  • an email
  • an invitation
  • a letter
  • his guitarist
  • her girlfriend
  • his girlfriend
  • Surfers airport
  • Surfers cafe
  • Surfers casino
  • 19 July
  • 9 June
  • 9 July
  • 8.00 pm
  • 8.00 am
  • 10 am
  • visits the hairdresser
  • visited the hairdresser
  • visited his girlfriend
  • shampoo and blow dry.
  • a trim and shave.
  • hair colouring.
  • 8.00 pm
  • 1.00 pm
  • 10.00 am
  • Tinsel Town.
  • Sanctuary Cove.
  • Surfers Paradise.
  • 1.00 pm
  • 11.00 am
  • 12.00 noon
  • a swim
  • a booking
  • a gig
  • Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.
  • Sanctuary Cove Surf Club
  • Surfers Paradise Beach cafe.
  • Sunday
  • Monday
  • Wednesday
  • 8.00 am
  • 8.00 pm
  • 10.00 pm
  • three people
  • one person
  • two people
  • new CD
  • video clip
  • DVD
  • played.
  • released.
  • burnt.
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Next
Select an introduction that grabs attention and tells what the newspaper report is about.
Ricky Reverb has disappeared. He didn't come to the awards night with Kat McCool, and he hasn't appeared since. In her press conferences and TV appearances since he disappeared, Ms McCool says he is a talented musician.
There is a police investigation in progress to locate the popular singing star Ricky Reverb. By collecting information, they are attempting to piece together his movements.
Where's Ricky Reverb? After the pop star failed to show up to collect his Pop Idol award on Wednesday, we have been on the trail to track him down.

Intro (or Orientation)

Record of events

Reorientation (optional)

Read the paragraph again. The beginning
makes sence, but the second part doesn't
introduce what the report will be about.

Choose another paragraph that gives the
background and explains what the report will
cover.

Read the paragraph again. It doesn't attract the
reader's attention or tell them what actually
happened. The introduction should present the
key event in the past tense, since it has already
happened.

Choose another paragraph that gives the
background and attracts attention.

Congratulations!

This paragraph begins with a question to grab
the reader's attention. Then it states simply and
clearly the facts of the background to the case.

Select Next to continue.

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Model Report
The ABC of journalism is:
Accurate
Brief
Clear
Newspaper report template
Select the earliest event below to add it to your record. Continue in the order they happened until each event is added to your report.
Early on Tuesday, 9 July at 8.00 am, Ricky Reverb visited the hairdresser for a shampoo and blow dry.
On Monday, 8 July at 10.00 pm, Ricky Reverb sent an email to his girlfriend asking her to meet him at Surfers airport.
Then at 10.00 am, he flew to Surfers Paradise.
On Monday, 15 July, Ricky Reverb's new CD will be released.
The next night, Wednesday 10 July at 8.00 pm, the awards dinner at Tinsel Town Concert Hall was held. Ricky Reverb accepted the invitation for two people, but didn't show.
Later the same day, at 1.00 pm, Ricky Reverb
had a booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.
Newspaper report template
Facts must be listed in the order they happened. Check the date and time and try again.
Intro (or Orientation)

Where's Ricky Reverb? After the pop star failed to
show up to collect his Pop Idol award on Wednesday,
we have been on the trail to track him down.

Record of events

On Monday, 8 July at 10.00 pm, Ricky Reverb sent
an email to his girlfriend asking her to meet him
at Surfers airport.

Reorientation

(optional)

Back
Model Report
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Excellent!

Now group the sentences into paragraphs.

Select Next to continue.
Intro (or Orientation)

Where's Ricky Reverb? After the pop star failed to show up to collect his Pop Idol award on Wednesday, we have been on the trail to track him down.

Reorientation

On Monday, 8 July at 10.00 pm, Ricky Reverb sent an email to his girlfriend, asking her to meet him at Surfers airport.
Early on Tuesday, 9 July at 8.00 am, Ricky Reverb visited the hairdresser for a shampoo and blow dry.
Then at 10.00 am, he flew to Surfers Paradise.
Later the same day, at 1.00 pm, Ricky Reverb had a booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.
The next night, Wednesday 10 July, at 8.00 pm, the awards dinner at Tinsel Town Concert Hall was held. Ricky Reverb accepted the invitiation for two people, but didn't show.
On Monday, 15 July, Ricky Reverb's new CD will be released.

Reorientation
(optional)
Newspaper report template
Back
Model Report
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Replay
To group the sentences, first select the sentence you want to move. Then select either Move up or Move down.

You should make four paragraphs.
Intro (or Orientation)
Where's Ricky Reverb? After the pop star failed to show up to collect his Pop Idol award on Wednesday, we have been on the trail to track him down.
Record of events

On Monday, 8 July at 10.00 pm, Ricky Reverb sent an email to his girlfriend, asking her to meet him at Surfers airport.

Early on Tuesday, 9 July at 8.00 am, Ricky Reverb visited the hairdresser for a shampoo and blow dry.

Then at 10.00 am, he flew to Surfers Paradise.

Later the same day, at 10.00 pm. Ricky Reverb has a booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.

The next night, Wednesday, 10 July at 8.00 pm, the awards dinner at Tinsel Town Concert Hall was held. Ricky Reverb acepted the invitation for two people, but didn't show.

On Monday, 15 July, Ricky Reverb's new CD will be released.

Reorientation (optional)
Newspaper report template
Back

Check again.
Are those sentences
about the same day?
Each paragraph should
only contain sentences
about the same day.

Fantastic!
Now read over your report so far
and reflect on these questions:

  • Does your record of events
    include only known facts?
  • Are the events in the order
    they happened?
  • Does the language show what
    has already happened: that
    is, are the verbs all in the
    past tense?

When you are happy with your
text, select Next.

Move up
Move down
Model Report
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Replay
Newspaper report template
What do you think happened to Ricky?
Select a paragraph for your reorientation.

Ricky wanted to get away
from his agent so he left
town.

Ricky and Amanda went to
Surfers Paradise Seaside
Chapel. He didn't return to
Tinsel Town.

Ricky was too nervous to
go to the awards
ceremony so he stayed at
home.

Look at all the facts again. In a
newspaper report, it is important to
use the facts to come to a conclusion.

Reporters should not invent facts.

Look at all the facts again. In a
newspaper report, it is important to
use the facts to come to a conclusion.

Reporters should not invent facts.

Intro (or Orientation)
Where's Ricky Reverb? After the pop star failed to show up to collect his Pop Idol award on Wednesday, we have been on the trail to track him down.
Record of events
On Monday, 8 July at 10.00 pm, Ricky Reverb sent an email to his girlfriend, asking her to meet him at Surfers airport.
Early on Tuesday, 9 July at 8.00 am, Ricky Reverb visited the hairdresser for a shampoo and blow dry. Then at 10.00 am, he flew to Surfers Paradise. Later the same day, at 1.00 pm, Ricky Reverb had a booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.
The next night, Wednesday 10 July, at 8.00 pm, the awards dinner at Tinsel Town Concert Hall was held. Ricky Reverb accepted the invitiation for two people, but didn't show.
On Monday, 15 July, Ricky Reverb's new CD will be released.
Reorientation (optional)
Model Report
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Aha! Look!

Select next to complete your newspaper report.

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Newspaper report template
Use your own words to write about what happened to Ricky Reverb after he went missing.

Then select Next.
Intro (or Orientation)
Where's Ricky Reverb? After the pop star failed to show up to collect his Pop Idol award on Wednesday, we have been on the trail to track him down.
Record of events
On Monday, 8 July at 10.00 pm, Ricky Reverb sent an email to his girlfriend, asking her to meet him at Surfers airport.
Early on Tuesday, 9 July at 8.00 am, Ricky Reverb visited the hairdresser for a shampoo and blow dry. Then at 10.00 am, he flew to Surfers Paradise. Later the same day, at 1.00 pm, Ricky Reverb had a booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.
The next night, 10 Wednesday July at 8.00 pm, the awards dinner at Tinsel Town Concert Hall was held . Ricky Reverb accepted the invitation for two people, but didn't show.
On Monday, 15 July, Ricky Reverb's new CD will be released.
Reorientation (optional)
Ricky and Amanda went to Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel. He didn't return to Tinsel Town.
Model Report
Replay
Back
Next

Select each point to find out more about writing headlines.

Then choose an eye-catching font that is easy to read and write a headline for your report. Then select Next.

Font 1 : Ricky Reverb
Font 2 : Ricky Reverb
Font 3 : Ricky Reverb
Writing the headline Write your own headline that:
uses short , simple words

'Fans vote Reverb top' is better than 'Fans select Ricky
reverb as the most popular singer'.

is clear

Avoid abbreviations such as 'no.' for 'number' , as they can be misleading.

uses present tense

The present tense makes it sound as if it is happening
as we read, instead of in the past, which is more
exciting: for example, 'Reverb wins award'.

uses active voice

An example of active voice is 'Reverb wins award' ,
instead of 'The award is won by Ricky Reverb'. Active
voice is shorter, clearer and catchier.

sums up the article
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Model Report
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Select each point to find out more.

You can position the picture at the top or bottom of your report.

When you're happy with your report, select Next.

Bottom
Top
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Choosing a picture Choose a picture that:
is eye-catching

Think about size, colour and content. Does the picture
present what you want to show?

improvs the report

The picture should add something to the words.

captures feelings

Close-ups show facial expressions that communicate
how people feel.

show action, emotion, drama or humour

Think about the best type of short for your report: a
close-up for emotion, or a long shot for action, for
example.

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Replay

That's a sensational report!

Thanks for all your help!

Where's Ricky Reverb? After the pop
star failed to show up to collect his Pop
Idol award on Wednesday, we have
been on the trail to track him down.

On Monday, 8 July at 10.00 pm, Ricky Reverb sent an email to his girlfriend, asking her to meet him at Surfers airport.

Early on Tuesday, 9 July at 8.00 am, Ricky Reverb visited the hairdresser for a shampoo and blow dry. Then at 10.00 am, he flew to Surfers Paradise. Later the same day, at 1.00 pm, Ricky Reverb had a booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.

The next night, Wednesday, 10 July at 8.00 pm, the awards dinner at Tinsel Town Concert Hall was held . Ricky Reverb accepted the invitation for two people, but didn't show.
On Monday, 15 July, Ricky Reverb's new CD will be released. Ricky and Amanda went to Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel. He didn't return to Tinsel Town.

Where's Ricky Reverb? After the pop star failed to show up
to collect his Pop Idol award on Wednesday, we have been
on the trail to track him down.

On Monday, 8 July at 10.00 pm, Ricky Reverb sent an email to his girlfriend, asking her to meet him at Surfers
airport.

Early on Tuesday, 9 July at 8.00 am, Ricky Reverb visited the hairdresser for a shampoo and blow dry. Then at 10.00 am, he flew to Surfers Paradise. Later the same day, at 1.00 pm, Ricky Reverb had a booking at Surfers Paradise Seaside Chapel.

The next night, Wednesday, 10 July at 8.00 pm, the awards dinner at Tinsel Town Concert Hall was held . Ricky Reverb accepted the invitation for two people, but didn't
show.

On Monday, 15 July, Ricky Reverb's new CD will be released.
Ricky and Amanda went to Surfers
Paradise Seaside Chapel. He didn't
return to Tinsel Town.

Back
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Ricky Reverb Missing!
Headline

The headline, or title, must catch attention. It should sum up what the report is about in a catchy way.

Pop star Ricky Reverb did not show up at the Pop Idol awards ceremony last night. His agent, Kat McCool, accepted his award for him.
Intro

The introduction contains short sentences that present the information about who, where, when and what to capture interest.

Ms McCool said the last time they had spoken was at 6.00 pm on Monday, when he told her he didn’t want to be disturbed the next day. He sounded perfectly normal, she said.
Record of events

The main part of the report retells events in chronological order, keeping to the point. It may include factual descriptions.

She described Ricky Reverb as a talented musician who cared about his fans. She promised she would do anything she could to help the police with their enquiries.
Reorientation

The concluding section rounds off events and can add related details.

Close