January 13

Let's start with some quizzes

http://www.englishmedialab.com/Quizzes/advanced/compound%20adjectives%20match.htm

http://www.englishmedialab.com/Quizzes/advanced/upperintgrammar1.htm



New Year's resolutions difficult to keep

The start of every New Year is when we all make plans to change our life for the better
over the forthcoming twelve months. Psychiatry professor Jayashri Kulkarni says:
"January 1 is a 'magical' date and a vow made on this day is much more powerful than one made on
August 26, for example." So, we all make a list of things to quit, start or change. Unfortunately,
most of these promises are, more often than not, broken by January 31st. They are usually the
identical resolutions that were not fulfilled from the previous year, and the years prior to that. The
website usa.gov says people, "tend to make the same resolutions year after year, even though
they have a hard time sticking to them". Research shows 45 per cent of us make a New
Year’s resolution. The most common vows include losing weight, volunteering to help others, quitting smoking, saving money, and getting fit. Others include eating healthier food, drinking less alcohol, and going on a trip. However, research also shows that most of us are not so good at sticking to these. A study from the University of Scranton reveals that 71 per cent of us stick to our annual
promises for the first two weeks; six months later,less than 50 per cent are still on track to keep
their resolutions. Most people who give up on their resolutions do so because of a lack of willpower
and the use of the 'escape clause' that they will 'try again next year'.

How do you celebrate New Year?
How do you feel about last year?  Did you achieve some goals?
Do you ever make any New Year's Resolutions? why/why not?
Do you stick to them?
Do you have a lot of willpower?

A. The imperative form

FORM:  
We use the base form of the verb without 'To'. Example: Go,Open, Close etc. Also, It's very important to notice that the command is given to you (Either singular or plural). 

USE: 

The imperative can be used to give:

• Direct orders: Stop disturbing me please.
• Warnings: Be careful please. It is hot.
• Instructions: Open it carefully. It is very fragile.
• Advice/Suggestion: Take care of your health.
• Requests: Stop by the office to pay the invoice please.
• Invitations: Come to our house for a weekend barbeque.

Use of the emphatic do with the imperative to emphasize what you want to say:

Example:

• Do write down your name at the beginning of this class. 

• Do think of our offer before looking at others.

 A. Manifesto (the new mission & vision statement)


B. Manifestos

Definition:: a written statement that describes the policies, goals, and opinions of a person or group

▪ The group's manifesto focused on helping the poor and stopping violence. 

▪ A political party's manifesto like the communist manifesto

The manifesto is your foundation. It is a set of beliefs you hold so deeply that they can’t help but guide you. Your manifesto informs the decisions you make, the actions you take, and the trails you blaze. A manifesto is a way of life.

Have you ever heard,read or created one?

Look and read the following manifesto from an athletic apparel company and let's pluck out some of the interesting words and concepts and discuss them together:

http://static.lululemon.com/files/poster_EN_11x17_2012.pdf

Now some questions:

1. What did you think of it? Is there a central theme in this manifesto?
2. Do you agree, disagree with some of the concepts written in this manifesto?
3. Do you think that people may be encouraged or discouraged to buy from this company after reading the manifesto? Why or why not?

Let's look closely at another manifesto and discuss your observations. 

The Holstee Manifesto Lifecycle Video from Holstee on Vimeo.

What do you think of the manifesto?

What do you identify with personally?

What do you like about the manifesto?

Is there anything you don’t like?

Is it a good guide for life?

Is it too simplistic?

What would you change in this manifesto to have it to your liking?

Now it is your turn.  Pick a company from the list below and based on the reading given, create a short manifesto based on the values shared through their actions. Write the manifesto using the imperative form (Base Form of Verb + Objects)

   

Imagine that you are the head of a communication company hired to create this manifesto.  Take 15 minutes to do this and then share it with the class.

1. Patagonia (outdoor gear and apparel retailer)
2. Clif Bar (energy food manufacturer)
3. CamelBak (hydration products & accessories manufacturer