PREVIEW ACTIVITY

PART 1 Think about the following terms. How do you think they are all interconnected?

THE HOLIDAY SEASON SHOPPING

CONSUMERISM BLACK FRIDAY

Discuss whether you agree (A), disagree (D), or partially (P) agree / disagree with each idea
PART 2
below about Black Friday, consumerism, and the holiday season. Explain.

1 A D P The holiday season is the most joyous time of the year.

2 A D P Buying and exchanging gifts is an ideal way to celebrate the holidays.

3 A D P The best kind of holiday gift to get someone is a material possession.

4 A D P Society today has an insatiable desire to consume.

5 A D P The pernicious (harmful) aspects of Black Friday and the holiday season
far outweigh the positive aspects.

Read the ideas from the people about Black Friday and the holiday season. Define each phrase
PART 3
in bold. Use a dictionary/translator if necessary. Then discuss the questions below.

I anticipate the holiday The holiday season is During the holiday

I tend to embrace the
season for the blissful over-commercialized season, I showcase
doorbuster sales of
spirit and memories. and pure pandemonium. my love to those I care
Black Friday and view the
During this time, I try I refuse to participate about by gifting them
holiday season as a jolly
to be present and give in the insanity of Black experiences rather than
time of year when you
undivided attention to Friday and the ravenous, buying them material
can get great deals.
my loved ones. chaotic shopping frenzy. possessions.

Marcel Cynthia Bryce Sheryl

1 Do you share any of the same habits, practices, or views as these people? If not,
how do you view holiday shopping, and to what extent do you participate in it?

2 Which habit, practice, or view do you find most interesting or surprising? Why?
LET'S TALK ABOUT BLACK FRIDAY

PREVIEW DISCUSSION

Do you think the word "shopping" has a positive,

negative, or neutral connotation? Why?

VIEWING ACTIVITY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovncEVsa
gVA&t=1s
PART 1 Choose true (T), false (F), or not given (NG) according to Joshua's ideas. (start - 1:55)

1 T F NG Joshua describes the holiday season as a joyous time for most people. Joshua

2 T F NG suggests the term "shopping" has taken on a negative connotation. Joshua

3 T F NG compares consumerism to a speeding train that is hard to exit.

Joshua argues that retailers are to blame for our insatiable desire to consume.
4 T F NG
Joshua believes that the chaotic nature of Black Friday represents consumer
5 T F NG culture as a whole.

PART 2 Complete Joshua's ideas about Black Friday (there are 3 missing words in each space).

1:56 1
“ On this day,
ourselves."
without regard for the harm we're inflicting on

2:02 2
“ On this day, greed becomes ravenous. On this day, we live without real meaning, buying gifts
to we can't fill with material possessions."

2:15 3
“ Perhaps one of our Twitter followers, Stephen, said it best: 'Black Friday is the day
for things we don't need, the day after being thankful for what
we have.'"

2:27 4
“ Sadly, we participate
was an ideal way to celebrate Christmas."
in the name of a holiday, as if buying gifts

PART 3 Instead of participating in Black Friday, what alternative options does Joshua propose?

2:38 - end
VIEWING FOLLOW-UP

PART 1 Discuss the questions below.

1 Did you find any value in the video? If so, what stood out to you? If not, why not?
2 Do you think the speaker's tone and message is more optimistic or critical? Why?
3 Do you consider yourself to be a conscious consumer? Why or why not?

Read the summary of Joshua's ideas. Then complete the same summary below it using the
PART 2
adverbs provided. Capitalize the adverbs where necessary. Some adverbs are not used!

I think it's contradictory that the holidays are supposed to be the most joyous time of the
year, but then we swarm shops in a disorganized and uncivilized way and trample others
when the doorbuster sales hit on Black Friday. It's evident to me that the pernicious aspects
of Black Friday are not few. On this day, we consume in an excessive, gross manner and spend
without care. I'm sorry to say that the blissful and jolly spirit of the holidays has faded away.
In my honest opinion, our society is too fixated on consumption. By buying material
possessions, we perpetuate a cycle of temporary satisfaction without realizing it.

Adverbs: frankly - theoretically - ironically - obviously - gluttonously

admittedly - subconsciously - chaotically - regrettably - recklessly

(1) , the holidays are supposed to be the most joyous time of the year,
but then we (2) swarm shops and trample others when the doorbuster
sales hit on Black Friday. (3) , the pernicious aspects of Black Friday are
not few. On this day, we consume (4) and spend (5) .
(6) , the blissful and jolly spirit of the holidays have faded away.
(7) , our society is too fixated on consumption. By buying material
possessions, we (8) perpetuate a cycle of temporary satisfaction.

PART 3 Discuss the questions below about the adverbs in Part 2.

1 Which adverbs do you think modify the sentence as a whole? Why?

2 Which adverbs do you think modify a specific verb? If so, which verbs do they modify?
3 Which adverbs do you think are comment (or viewpoint) adverbs? Why?
4 What are the various functions of comment adverbs? Tick () the correct ones below:

They highlight an attitude, tone, feelings, or opinion.

They provide some sort of critical or formal evaluation.
They describe the manner of an action.
They indicate frequency.
They add depth, emphasis, or nuance.
CRITICAL COMMENTARY:
MODERN-DAY CONSUMERISM

STEP 1 Choose one of the following topics that interests you the most, or think of your own topic
related to shopping, Black Friday, consumerism, or the holiday season.

Why has Cyber Monday become so popular, and is it better than Black Friday?
Can second-hand and thrift shopping fill a void in consumer culture?
Can gifting experiences, rather than products, redefine holiday spending?
Is Black Friday marketing really effective, or does it just annoy consumers?
How does Black Friday harm the environment?
Will we ever find bliss and joy in the holiday season without buying gifts?
Should we always try to support small businesses over corporations when gift shopping?
Other (specify):

STEP 2 • Write a short, formal editorial piece about the topic you chose, or discuss your opinion.
• If you choose to write, make your editorial piece 5 - 10 sentences long.
• In your editorial piece/discussions, make sure to:

Highlight your attitude, feelings, or opinion on the topic.

Provide some sort of critical or formal evaluation.
Add depth, emphasis, or nuance.
Use at least 3 comment adverbs. You can use some of the ones provided below, or any
other comment adverbs that come to mind. You can also research some more online.

Comment Ironically, … Frankly, … Regrettably, … Obviously, …

Adverbs: Unsurprisingly, … Understandably, … Admittedly, … Interestingly, …
Undoubtedly, ... Arguably, … Thankfully, … Remarkably, …

STEP 3 • If you wrote an editorial piece, share it with a classmate / your teacher.
• React to your classmate's/teacher's editorial piece, and share your opinion on it.
• If you had a discussion, do you agree or disagree with your classmate(s) / teacher? Why?
QUIZ & REVIEW ACTIVITY

PART 1 Discuss the questions below about the video.

1 According to Joshua, how have shopping and the holiday season changed over time?
2 What does the pandemonium that takes place on Black Friday represent?
3 What kinds of negative behaviors do we exhibit or engage in on Black Friday?
4 Instead of participating in Black Friday, what alternative options does Joshua propose?

Read the short editorial piece. Then complete the same editorial piece below it using the
PART 2
comment adverbs provided.

I find it fascinating that in the midst of booming consumerism, second-hand and thrift
shopping has gained great momentum. I think that without question, it offers a way to
combat the pernicious effects of overconsumption. At its basic core, it gives consumers an
opportunity to break free from the pandemonium of holiday sales. I find it contradictory that
we crave the novelty of brand-new items, but buying second-hand often fills a deeper void in
modern consumer culture. It offers a more personal, unique, and environmentally-friendly way
to shop. It makes sense that some people still question whether this trend can truly replace the
grim reality of rampant consumerism during the holidays. In my honest opinion, the shift
toward second-hand shopping may not be a complete solution, but it does offer a blissful break
from the Black Friday madness.

Adverbs: Ironically - Understandably - Interestingly - Frankly - Undoubtedly - Essentially

(1) , in the midst of booming consumerism, second-hand and thrift

shopping has gained great momentum. (2) , it offers a way to combat the
pernicious effects of overconsumption. (3) , it gives consumers an
opportunity to break free from the pandemonium of holiday sales. (4) ,
we crave the novelty of brand-new items, but buying second-hand often fills a deeper void
in modern consumer culture. It offers a more personal, unique, and environmentally-friendly
way to shop. (5) , some people still question whether this trend can truly
replace the grim reality of consumerism during the holidays. (6) , the shift
toward second-hand shopping may not be a complete solution, but it does offer a blissful
break from the Black Friday madness.