Unit 2, Step 3: XOXO

• Engels
• Secundair onderwijs

Step 3: XOXO

Reading and writing informal messages

1 / From ViDA’s to submarining

Ex. 1

Answer the questions in the next few slides.

Have you ever been on Tinder?

Yes.

No.

Would you ever consider finding someone online?

Yes.

No.

Maybe.

What might be the benefits
of online dating (apps)?

What might be the
downfalls or dangers?

Ex. 1

Now, discuss in your team:

Have you ever been on Tinder? Would you ever consider finding someone online? Why (not)?

b What might be the benefits of online dating (apps)? What might be the downfalls or dangers?

Take turns. Talk for 1 minute straight! 

Ex. 2

Read the 2 Tinder 

messages below. 

Why do you think they 

are ‘wrong’?

What is wrong
with these messages?

Ex. 2

Read the 2 Tinder messages below. Why do you think they are ‘wrong’?

Both messages are too straightforward, rude and disrespectful.

The message on the left is also full of spelling mistakes.

Ex. 3

Each team member will get a text about a particular topic.

a) Preparation: look at the title, subtitles, pictures etc. What do you think your text will be about?

b) Action: find the other students in your class who have the same text.

• Read it and discuss what you have read in your new group.

• Discuss and take notes: what will you tell your group members about this text? How will you recap the text? (use bullet points to sum up key elements)

• Return to your first group and report your findings. Take notes about the other texts.

What is the text about? (recap each text in max. 5 lines)

Timing: 15 minutes

2 / Fill in the damn profile!

Ex. 1

You will decide on the dos and don’ts of filling in an online dating profile.

a) Write down the tips mentioned in your part of the text : What kind of things should you definitely add to your profile and what kind of things should you avoid? Add them to the column ‘dos’ or ‘don’ts’.

b) Share your findings with the rest of your group.

c) Complete the information grid with the dos and don’ts your group members share with you. List at least 4 of each.

dos

don'ts

Which advice did you find most useful?

Ex. 3

 Analyse a ‘wrong’ dating profile.

a Preparation: pair up! You will get a dating profile. Make a note of what is wrong with them by referring to the dos and don’ts in exercise 1. Correct any spelling mistakes while you are reading.

I think the worst dating profile is...

Profile 1: dont_email_me

Profile 2: TrevorIsAnASSHOLE

Profile 3: IWontMurderYou

Profile 4: AsianTom

Profile 5: aaroncarterfan

Profile 6: Lonely Eric Single Chicago

Profile 7: rosefacekillahh

Profile 8: wowniceusername

3 / Wassup?

Ex. 1

You have come across an online dating profile you actually like. Now what? 

Discuss with a partner what you think a great first message looks like. Report back to class. Fill in the word cloud.

A great first message should be ...

Ex. 2

Watch the video that will give you tips on how to write a great first message.

a Which tips do Kate and Shannon give? List at least 6.

Ex. 3

Look at the 4 messages below and on p. 96.

a What score would you give these? Refer to the tips Kate and Shannon gave in their video.

List at least 3 tips that they followed or did not follow.

Which message is the worst one?

message A

message B

message C

message D

Which message is the best one?

message A

message B

message C

message D

What is good/ what is about about it? (tips)

What is good/ what is about about it? (tips)

+ asks a real question

+ refers to the profile and what

he read

+ no grammar mistakes

What is good/ what is about about it? (tips)

What is good/ what is about about it? (tips)

– grammar mistakes

– no questions

– comments on physical

looks

+ put in humour

What is good/ what is about about it? (tips)

What is good/ what is about about it? (tips)

– doesn’t ask a real question

– doesn’t refer to the profile and what he read

– could well be copy/pasted (no original content)

+ no grammar mistakes

What is good/ what is about about it? (tips)

– too long

– hardly any humour 

(takes himself

very seriously)

– way too formal

+ no spelling mistakes

What is good/ what is about about it? (tips)

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