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Tasks: Staying Motivated Through the School Year

Sum up:

Condense the advice given in the text into maximum ten bullet points.

Discuss:

Work in a group and discuss the questions.

Was there advice in the text that you found useful?
Was there advice in the text that you thought was too obvious or unhelpful?
Was there advice in the text that you think could be harmful?
If you were going to implement one piece of advice from the text into your life this school year, what would it be?

Present:

Work in groups.

Make a PowerPoint presentation or a film with the title 'How to Stay Motivated Through the School Year'.

You could choose a serious or humorous angle for your presentation.

Analyse:

Some of these questions use terms related to rhetorical analysis. If you are unsure of the meaning of the terms, go to the text 'Rhetorical Analysis' found in 'Related Content' .

'Staying Motivated Through the School Year' is an example of a self-help text. Wha characteristics of a self-help text can you spot?
Who is the target audience for the text?
What can you say about ethos, logos, and pathos in the text?
What can you say about kairos in relation to the text?
The text mainly uses the pronouns 'we' and 'you'. Why do you think these pronouns are used?

Characteristics of a self-help text:

Self-help texts often have fun or interesting titles to appeal to the reader.

A self-help text defines a problem in a simple way, and attempts to relate the definition to experiences the reader is likely to have had.

A self-help text explains why it is important to tackle the problem.

A self-help text explains how the reader can take simple steps to overcome the problem. A self-help text will often explain why this solution is better and easier than anything the reader has tried before.

The author of a self-help text will focus on establishing ethos. This is done in many different ways, for example, by explaining why they are qualified to give advice about a topic, by referencing relevant sources, or by referencing shared experiences.

The reader is addressed directly. The author attempts to establish a relationship with the reader and focuses on motivating them for change. This is done by giving the readers little tasks to solve or questions to think about as they read.

Self-help texts often uses simple vocabulary and less formal language. Difficult or medical terms are generally avoided, or explained in a simple way.

Self-help texts often offer anecdotes and stories to illustrate the problem.

Write:

Choose one of the tasks. Write a text that is at least 500 words long. Remember to include a source list if you use sources.

Write a self-help text offering students advice on how to stay motivated in school.
Write a text offering students advice on the most efficient way to study.
Write a text offering students advice on how to find the best possible balance between schoolwork and leisure time.
Write a text about how schools can be improved to increase student motivation.
Make a blog post about your own experiences with motivation. Include relevant illustrations.

Create:

Step 1.

Work in groups. Consider what your classroom looks like. How can you freshen up the classroom and make it a better space to work in? How can your classmates be motivated to come to class and work hard?

Bear in mind that you are limited to things that it is possible for your class to accomplish together at minimal cost.

Step 2.

Make a short presentation where you present your ideas to the rest of the class.

Step 3.

Vote to see which idea the class would like to implement. You may combine two or more ideas if you want to.

Step 4.

Implement the idea. (remember that if you want to make any radical changes, you need permission from the teacher.)

Watch:

In 2006 British education researcher, Ken Robinson, gave a TED Talk called Do Schools Kill Creativity? Follow the link to watch the talk.

Link to Ken Robinson's TED Talk: Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Discuss the following questions with a partner. Write down shared answers in key-word form.

What is the main point Ken Robinson is making in the talk?
Do you agree with Ken Robinson?
Is it possible to implement Robinson's ideas within the existing school system?
Do you think students would benefit from Robinson's ideas being implemented?
Would you be able to work efficiently if you were allowed to work only on things that interest you?
Do you think schools kill creativity?
Do you think your motivation would be higher if schools allowed more creativity during school days?

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Staying Motivated Through the School Year

This resource offers tips on how to stay motivated through the school year.