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Tasks and Activites

Tasks: Letters to the Editor

Tasks for letter 1 'We Need More Information About Career Opportunities'

Discuss:

  1. Do you think the text conveys the author's message in a persuasive way? What would you do to make it more persuasive?

  2. What statistics would you have included in the text?

  3. Do you think this text will be taken more seriously than the other example ('I Don't Want to Help People')?

  4. Is it OK to use Norwegian sources for a text in English class?

Analyse:

Study the text closely and comment on language features and literary devices that are used. Consider how they contribute to conveying the theme and message of the text.

Improve the text:

What would you do to improve this text? How would you make it more persuasive? How would you get the message across more clearly?

Make a plan for how the text can be improved, giving specific examples. If you want to, you can rewrite the text.

Tasks for letter 2 'I Don't Want to Help People'

Discuss:

Work with partners and discuss the questions.

  1. What is the main message of the text? Why do you think this letter was written?

  2. Do you agree with the opinions expressed in this text? What do you agree / disagree with?

  3. The author tries to use humour to convey their ideas. Can you find examples of that? Do you think the author succeeds in being funny?

  4. Most jobs help people in some way, whether it is being a doctor, being a cleaner, driving a bus, working in a shop, manufacturing goods, delivering mail, working in sanitation, and so on. Can you think of jobs that do not involve helping others in any way?

  5. What do you care about most: Getting a job where you can help others and make a difference or a job where you make a lot of money? Are there high-paying jobs that involve helping others?

  6. Do schools provide enough information about what types of education and jobs it is possible to get?

Analyse:

Study the text closely and comment on language features and literary devices that are used. Consider how they contribute to conveying the theme and message of the text.

Improve the text:

What would you do to improve this text? How would you make it more persuasive? How would you get the message across more clearly?

Make a plan for how the text can be improved, giving specific examples. If you want to, you can rewrite the text.

Write your own letter to the editor:

Pick one of the tasks and write a letter to the editor.

  1. Is there a change you would like to see in your school? Write a letter to the editor where you explain why there should be a change and suggest possible solutions.

  2. Write a letter to the editor with the title ' I Want to Help People'.

  3. Every year there is a debate about abolishing russetida, or at least moving it until after exams. Write a letter to the editor in support of or against such proposals.

  4. "Young people today have it easy". Write a letter to the editor where you discuss this statement.

Related content

CC BY-SAWritten by: Tone Hesjedal.
Last revised date 01/03/2022

Learning content

Working with literature and texts