Fun, Oh Boy. Fun. You Could Die from It Suzanne Britt Jordan

Teaching objectives By the end of this unit, you are supposed to understand the main idea, structure of the text and the author’s writing style master the key language points and grammatical structures in the text be able to grasp the purpose of the writing

Teaching procedure Pre-reading Questions Text I. Fun, Oh Boy. Fun. You Could Die from It ● Structure Analysis ● Main Idea of The Passage ● Techniques employed ● Language Points ● Sentence Study ● Vocabulary Study ● Translation Text II. The Age of Thrills

Pre-reading questions 1. How important is fun in your life/at work? add joy and happiness to life a great way to relieve stress sharpen skills increase in productivity nurture innovation/ express your creativity

2. What is the greatest fun in your life? ● camping? ● gathering? ● drinking? … Back to page 3

Main Idea of the Passage Providing a stipulative definition of fun Giving an extended definition of the word “fun” by pointing out what it isn’t Giving a conclusion with an anecdote that further explains what fun is Back to page 3

Structure analysis Part 1 (paras.1-5) The first five paras form the introduction to the essay, provide a stipulative definition of “fun.”

Part II (Paras 6-11) This is the main body of the essay in which the writer gives an extended definition of the word “fun” by negation (pointing out what isn’t fun).

Part III (Paras 12-15) This is the concluding part. The essay concludes with an anecdote that further explains what fun is. Back to page 3

Techniques employed by the writer 1.The skillful use of repetition 2. The employment of comparison and contrast (para 8 /14) 3.The application of definition and series of questions 4. The employment of negation (defining a term through showing what it is not). Back to page 3

Language Points (paras 1-5) Overshadow: to make (sb or sth ) less successful, important, or impressive by comparison with others; to dominate E.g. She is overshadowed by her young and more attractive sister.

Questions (paras 1-5): What is the thesis statement of the essay? Fun is hard to have. Fun is a rare jewel. 2. In para 4, a series of questions has been raised. What’s the effect of it? By making a startling statement and raising a series of questions, Jordan points out that fun has become the major concern of people. It has outweighted many other questions.

Language Points (paras 6-12) Flunk: to fail, especially (in) a course or an exam E.g. The boy was upset because he flunks (in) an English exam. flunk out: to expel or to be expelled from school or cause because of work that does not meet required standards E.g. we didn’t flunk out, but our records weren’t so good.

traipse: to walk wearily E.g. She spent the day traipsing from one shop to another. Epitome: an ideal; a typical representation E.g. His father is the epitome of goodness. Epitomize: to be an epitome of something E.g. She epitomizes all the good qualities of her family.

Questions (paras 6-11) What style does Jordan create and how does she create it? Jordan creates a very conversational style by using “everybody,” “everything,” “Golly gee,” “By Jove.” 2. What are some of the things that do not provide fun according to Jordan? Failing in a test, dirty bumpers, sticky refrigerator doors.

3. How do some people manage to have fun? Some people resort to thrilling ways such as adventures, immoral actions, crimes or alcohol to have fun. 4. What relationship between big drugs and alcohol have to our difficulties in having fun today? Today when people live under unprecedented stress, they can hardly relax and the monotonous routine work is not exciting enough for them. Only when they indulge themselves in drugs and alcohol can they forget the worries of the day and have a little fun.

5. What is the relationship between big occasions and the experience of fun? With high expectations for fun, people are not content with the joy that big occasions such as holidays, weddings or holidays bring them. To make up for the inadequacy of fun and joy, they are still expecting the next big occasion which might bring them excitement.

Language points (paras 12-15) damper: (informal) sth that stops an occasion from being as enjoyable as it was intended to be The bad news put/cast/threw a damper on the party. Will the snow put a bit of a damper on your hike plan?

Blaspheme: to swear; to use words which show a lack of respect for God or religion The bank manager began to rage and blaspheme (against) God. The spiritual leader charged that the film blasphemed Islam. Malted milk: a soluble powder made of dried milk, malted barely, and wheat flour(麦乳精)

Chunky 1. (of candy, etc.) containing small, thick pieces E.g. chunky peanut butter; chunky soup 2. (of a man) short and strong; stocky E.g. A chunky man usually has a wide upper body and looks strong.

Scan 1. to examine (sth) carefully, with the eyes or with a machine, in order to obtain information She anxiously scanned the faces of the young men leaving the train in the hope of finding her son. 2. to look through a text quickly to find a piece of information that one wants or get a general idea of it Now, scan the newspaper article quickly and make a note of the main points.

Questions (paras 12-15) 1. According to Jordan, how should we treat fun? We should treat it respectfully. Fun is not supposed to be everywhere. We cannot easily get fun out of everything.

2.What does “It may even come on a Tuesday” mean? Tuesday is a workday to fulfill one’s duty Tuesday is regarded as a day to do the routine work Not a holiday No big occasions on this day If treated properly, can have fun on such an ordinary day. (Fun sometimes comes from the fulfillment of one’s duty during workdays.)

3. Why does Jordan use an anecdote to conclude her essay? He is likely to suggest that it is easier for children to have fun than it is for grow-ups. 4. Two simple, direct statements are used to begin and end the essay. What is the effect of these statements? Simple and direct as they are, the two statements are effective enough to convey the message that fun is a rare jewel, but fun could also be easy to have if we treat it properly.

An imaginary event is presented and a real events in para 14 An imaginary event is presented and a real events in para 14. What’s the function of the narration of these two events? In the imaginative event, the elaborate preparation of the parents was wasted and the child failed to have the expected fun. In the real events, the simple childish behavior gave the children the satisfaction and joy. With a comparison of these events, the author suggests that what is supposed to be fun may not enable one to have a good time. The simple joy of life is the real fun people are seeking.

Translation: 1. It goes without saying that Shakespeare overshadows all the other playwrights throughout the ages. 2. THE GREAT GATSBY is commonly deemed as the epitome of the Jazz Age of the last century in America. 3. It is advisable for you not to put a damper on his enthusiasm to further his studies at Harvard. 4. Young people tend to make a fetish of glamorous stars in sports and entertainment circles.

5. They traipsed all the way to the People’s square for the celebration of the national day. 6. He does not deserve such severe punishment as he has committed neither serious errors nor grave crimes. 7. Every time I meet him, he would talk a whole lot of nonsense. 8. He said that reputation is a trap into which many people are ready to fall.