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Intermediate Conversation 2 (High Intermediate)

  • Pukyong National University (Daeyeon Campus)
  • Course #109819, Fall 2024
  • Room: C25 - #522/530
  • Instructional medium: This course will be conducted as live, in-person, face-to-face class sessions. If we need to make up a session, online recorded lectures will be used to make up lost class days.
  • Textbook: A PDF version of th ebook will be available in the LMS
  • Professor: Prof. Kent Lee
  • Office: C25-1103; office hours: By appointment


1 Course description

This course deals with academic English for your college studies, including (1) better English learning strategies, and (2) basic academic English speaking skills for college life. This course is what we call English for academic purposes (EAP), and so this course will be quite different from your past high school and 학원 courses (at least in normal times, it would be quite different; the online format will affect this).


2 Assignments

2.1 Google Form assignments

Various online Google Form assignments will be posted in the LMS. These will typically be 10 points each, though some longer ones can be 20 points.

  • Intro form: Some info about you and some survey questions.
  • Reaction forms: You will watch a Youtube video (or a few) and react to them.
  • Final self-evaluation form: You will evaluate yourself over the past semester.


2.2 Music genres

You may need to click on the Expand button on the right side of the page.

Discuss the following genres and subgenres. What are their typical or defining characteristics? Where did they come from? What are some typical examples of each subgenre? Which are your favorites – and why? Feel free to add other genres or subgenres to this list. I am assuming that you are already familiar with mainstream pop, rock, hip hop, K-pop, and such.

Preclassical & classical
Period or genre Examples (artist / piece)
Pre-classical
Medieval (popular / secular music) [1] Street music from XIII to XVI cent.
Medieval chant (church music) [2] Gregorian chant;
[3] Byzantine chant;
[4] Greek chant
Renaissance [5] Various pieces
Choral music (Renaissance) [6] Allegri: Miserere (church music)
Madrigal music [7] Hilliard Ensemble: Renaissance Madrigals;
[8] The Cambridge Singers: 13 Famous English Madrigals
Classical music
Baroque [9] Bach: Fuge in D Minor
[10]
[11] Bach: Harpsichord Concerto No.1 in D Minor BWV 1052 (Jean Rondeau)
Classical Era / Period
(Classical proper, of the 18th/19th century classical period)
[12] Brahms: Symphony #3
Romanticism [13] Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto #2
Impressionism [14] Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Modern classical
Expressionism [15] Arnold Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht
Modern classical: Minimalism (12-tone) [16] Philip Glass: The Hours
[17] Arvo Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel for Cello and Piano
Experimentalism [18] Edgard Varèse: Ionisation
[19] Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question


Folk, international, & country
Region or style Examples (artist / piece)
Folk & world music
Celtic [20] The Chieftains: O'Sullivan's March
Sea shanty [21] Drunken Sailor
[22] Wellerman
Carribean steel drum music [23] Caribbean Connection Steel Drum Band
Andes (Chile, Argentina) [24] Amor a los Andes
Georgia [25] Ensemble Rustavi: Chakrulo
Bulgaria [26] Bulgarian folklor: Kaval sviri
Latvia [27] Tautumeitas: Raganu Nakts
South Africa / Soweto [28] Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain

[29] Compilation album / playlist: The Indestructibe Beat of Soweto (Just sample a few songs here.)

China [30] Erhu - Ballad of North Henan Province 豫北叙事曲;
[31] (箏鼓和鳴)權御天下 Sun Quan The Emperor (Guzheng & Drum Ver.)
American Folk & Country (Country & Western)
American folk songs [32] Oh Susanna
[33] Oh My Darling, Clementine

[34] She'll Be Coming 'Round The Mountain
[35] Home on the Range

Bluegrass (Cajun – French Louisiana) [36] Cajun Country Revival: You Won't Be Satisfied
Bluegrass (western) [37] Southern Raised Bluegrass: Orange Blossom Special
Country (1940s-1960s) [38] Gene Autry: Back in the Saddle Again; [39]
Johnny Horton: North to Alask; [40]
Roger Miller: You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd
Country (1970s-1980s) [41] Charlie Daniels Band: The Devil Went Down to Georgia
[42] Willie Nelson: On The Road Again
Country (1990s-present) [43] Garth Brooks: Friends in low places

[44] Zac Brown Band: Chicken Fried  [45] Turnpike Troubadours: Chipping Mill

New Country [46] Nate Smith: Whiskey On You


Jazz, R&B, & related forms
Genre / style Examples (artist / piece)
Jazz, Blues & derivative forms
Early jazz [47] Clarence Williams: I Need You; [48] Tiny Parham: Now That I've Found You
Ragtime [49] Scott Joplin: The Entertainer
[50] Scott Joplin: Maple Leaf Rag
Big Band & Swing [51] Glenn Miller: In the Mood
Jazz (general / modal) [52] Miles Davis: So What?
Jazz vocalists [53] Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong: Dream a Little Dream of Me, or [54] Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
[55] Diana Krall: Fly me to the Moon
Latin jazz [56] Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz: The Girl from Ipanema
Blues [57] B. B. King: The Thrill Is Gone
[58] Stevie Ray Vaughan:Texas Flood
R & B / Soul [59] Luther Vandross: Never Too Much

[60] Stevie Wonder: Superstition
[61] Sergio Mendes - Never Gonna Let You Go (1983)

Funk [62] Mark Ronson (ft. Bruno Mars): Uptown Funk
Fusion [63] Weather Report: Birdland
[64] Spyro Gyra: Bob Goes to the Store
Acid jazz [65] US3: Cantaloop
Reggae (traditional) [66] Bob Marley: One Love
Reggae (modern / fusion) [67] Shaggy: Bombastic
Ska [68] The Specials: Gangsters
Disco [69] Boney M: Rasputin


Pop & rock
Genre / style Examples (artist / piece)
Rock (rock & roll) / pop
Rock (1950s) [70] Bill Haley: Rock Around the Clock (1956; often considered the "first" rock & roll hit song); [71] Chubby Checker: The Twist
Rock (1960s) [72] The Beatles: Hey Jude
Folk rock [73] Bob Dylan: Subterranean Homesick Blues; [74] Bob Dylan: The Times They are A-changin'

[75] Mumford & Sons: I Will Wait

Classic rock (1970s-1980s) [76] Journey: Don't Stop Believin'
Pop / rock (1980s-1990s) [77] Phil Collins: In the Air Tonight (1981);
[78] Cher: Believe (1998)
Punk [79] Anti-Nowhere League: Streets of London
Punk / New Wave [80] Devo: Whip It
New Wave / dance [81] New Order: Blue Monday
Grunge [82] Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
Electronic pop / rock (1980s) [83] Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams
[84] The Buggles: Video Killed the Radio Star

[85] A-ha: Take On Me

Industrial / house / EBM[1] [86] Nitzer Ebb: Fun to be had
Alternative [87] Muse: Starlight
[88] My Chemical Romance: Welcome To The Black Parade
Alternative / dance [89] Adam Lambert: If I Had You
Jonathan Bree: You're So Cool (indie pop / electronic)
Folk alternative / folk punk [90] The Pogues: Tuesday Morning
R&B / Psychedelic / hard rock [91] Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze
Heavy metal (glam metal) [92] Def Leppard: Photograph
Heavy metal / hard rock [93] Nightwish: Élan
EDM [94] Vinheteiro: 10 EDM Versions of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (EDM = electronic dance music)
Parody / novelty hits [95] "Weird Al" Yankovic: Smells Like Nirvana; [96] "Weird Al" Yankovic: Perform This Way
International pop & rock
Germany [97] Nena: 99 Luftballons (99 Red Balloons)
France [98] Patricia Kaas: Les hommes qui passent
South Africa [99] Victony & Tempoe: Soweto
China / Hong Kong [100] 張洪量 Chang Hung-Liang: 美麗的花蝴蝶 Beautiful Butterfly
Korea [101] 최소리) Choi So-ri: Arirang Party 아리랑 파티


Bonus tracks

The following are extra songs and videos that you might not like due to their contents, and you do not have to watch them. If you are brave, you can try these, as these are rather interesting or well known.

  • [102] Rob Zombie: Dragula (alternative / industrial metal). Note: The video has some dark or horror-themed imagery
  • [103] Electric Six: Gay Bar (alternative). Note: Slightly NSFW video lyrics
  • [104] Electric Six: Danger! High Voltage (alternative / dance). Warning: NSFW video & lyrics. Do not watch this if you are easily offended.


Terms

What do the following terms refer to?

  • Jazz subgenres such as Ragtime, Big Band, smooth / lounge jazz, progressive jazz, fusion, acid jazz, vocal jazz, experimental jazz
  • Hard rock
  • Glam metal
  • Thrash metal
  • Alternative
  • EDM (electronic dance music)
  • Urban music
  • College rock / modern rock


Discussion questions
  1. Where do you think jazz came from, and where did blues come from?
  2. Where do you think rock and pop came from, historically? What musical influences might have been crucial to the development and evolution of rock and/or pop?
  3. Did you know that classical music consisted of different types like this?
  4. Did you know that new classical music is still being made (modern classical)? Did you know about modern classical before?
  5. Where do you think country music in the US came from?
  6. One of the songs you heard was the punk song called "Streets of London." What was the song about? A common stereotype of the punk movement was that is simply about social rebellion. Is that the case? What kind of tone, theme or purpose do you see in this song? (Click on the Expand button to see the lyrics below.)

Streets of London

Have you seen the old man In a closed-down market? Kicking up the paper With his worn out shoes In his eyes, you see no pride And held loosely at his side Yesterday's paper Telling yesterday's news

So, how can you tell me you're lonely? And say for you that the sun don't shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old girl Who walks the streets of London? Dirt in her hair And her clothes in rags She's no time for talking She just keeps right on walking Carrying her home In two carrier bags

So, how can you tell me you're lonely? And say for you that the sun don't shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London I'll show you something to make you change your mind

In the all night café At a quarter past eleven Same old man Sitting there on his own Looking at the world Over the rim of his teacup Each tea lasts an hour And he wanders home alone

So, how can you tell me you're lonely? Don't say for you that the sun don't shine Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind Have you seen the old man Outside the Seaman's Mission? Memory fading with The medal ribbons that he wears In our winter city The rain cries a little pity For one more forgotten hero And a world that doesn't care So, how can you tell me you're lonely? And say for you that the sun don't shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind


2.3 Shorter video assignments

2.3.1 Short video / ICP: Music genres

Click on the 'Expand' applet on the right to see or collapse past assignments and materials.

This may be done as a short video assignment, or as a practice classs presentation (ICP) activity. Discuss the various music genres that you listened to, and discuss the following. You do not have to discuss every subgenre or every specific style. For each general category (like classical, jazz, R&B, rock/pop, international], discuss some of these points.

  1. How would you describe or define these major genres?
  2. What is your impression of these genres, or of these various samples? Which ones do you like or not like?
  3. Within the major genres, what are some specific styles, types or subgenres that you liked, disliked, or found interesting?
  4. Among these categories, are there any styles or (sub)genres that you think I left out? Are there some particular styles, composers, singers, or artists that you think I should include?
  5. Do you feel like you learned anything from this exercise? Or do you have any questions or comments?

This video should be about 2-3 minutes long.

You can record this by yourself (solo, individually), or with 1-3 other persons. This should probably be done in a conversational or question-answer style, as long as each person speaks for an equal amount of time.


2.3.2 Short video / ICP: Youtube channel

Click on the 'Expand' applet on the right to see or collapse past assignments and materials.

This may be done as a short video assignment, or as a practice classs presentation (ICP) activity. Imagine you and your group members have the opportunity to set up your own Youtube channel. What kind of channel would you like to run? What kind of format would you like - i.e., the type(s) of content and video length? Here are some options to consider. Be ready to present your ideas to the class, as a short in-class presentation.

  1. Purpose: What is the main purpose, topic(s)
  2. Type of content: What type of content will you do? Will it all be one type of specific format and content, or multiple channel lists for different types of videos?
  3. Target audience (e.g., demographics)
  4. Format: Would these be short-form videos (regular videos under 10 mintues), long-form content (over 10 minutes), and/or Youtube shorts?
  5. Production: How will videos be filmed – how will they be produced and edited?
  6. What will you call your channel?
  7. Sponsorhip: Would it be commercially sponsored or supported? How would the sponsors be chosen, and how would the sponsors be featured in your channel?

This video should be about 2-3 minutes long.

You can record this by yourself (solo, individually), or with 1-3 other persons. If you record it with other persons, it can be done in a conversational or question-answer style, as long as each person speaks for an equal amount of time.


2.4 Midterm video

Click on the 'Expand' applet on the right to see or collapse past assignments and materials.

Midterm video
Genre analysis & video critique. For the midterm, you will record and upload a presentation. You can do this solo (by yourself) or in a group, and you can form a group on your own of 2-5 people (e.g., a back-and-forth conversation or other format).
Topic
Discuss a specific genre of film, TV, music, literature, art, or other creative arts or media. Then discuss a few specific examples
Genre
Something like fiction or drama would be too broad and general, especially for a short video. You should discuss something fairly specific would be good, like romance, horror, science fiction, would be good. If you like, you can be even more specific and focus on a particular subgenre, like sci-fi horror, romantic comedy, or superhero films. You can draw from previous assignments or in-class discussions from this semester. As before, you can upload it here in any regular video format.
Main points to address
  1. What are typical characteristics and elements of the genre? For example, what kinds of elements do people usually expect? What are typical types of plots / story lines, types of characters, character development, settings, tropes, film techniques, etc?
  2. Discuss at least one good example of the genre. How / why was it done well? How are the different genre elements well done?
  3. Discuss at least one bad example of the genre. Why was it not good? How / why were the genre elements poorly done? How would it be improved?
  4. Discuss at least one unusual example of the genre, e.g., one that plays with the genre elements, or a subgenre that mixes elements of different genres.
  5. For the genre or for your good examples, also discuss the production or production quality, e.g.:
    • The quality of the plots, acting, or other aspects
    • Social value or social aspects
    • Special effects (practical effects, computer effects)
    • Its impact or influence (on society, on the genre, etc.)


Examples

You can discuss examples of different media forms, e.g.:

  • Some movies of a particular genre or subgenre
  • Some TV shows or series of a particular genre or subgenre
  • Some music videos from a particular artist or genre/subgenre
  • Some Youtube channels of a particular category, topic, or genre


Video production aspects can include:

  • How the video was produced
  • The production quality - good or bad
  • How practical effects were done


Social aspects can include:

  • Positive or negative social messages that the video conveys
  • Elements of sexism, gender bias, racism, xenophobia, elitism, or other social baises
  • Other types of social or political messages or attitudes
  • How the video promotes or exemplifies such attitudes, or
  • How it challenges such attitudes


Optional question
  • If you were to create your own creative work (e.g., your own film) in that genre, how would you do it? E.g., what kinds of tropes, plot, characters, tropes, or other elements would you use, or not use? How would you like for your work to affect viewers / listeners / readers? (audience engagement)?
Grading criteria

This will be graded a bit more strictly than the previous assignments. I will grade according to the following criteria, which are based on the criteria on p. 20 in the book for major presentations.

  1. Rationale, goals, objectives
  2. General contents (and for groups, equal participation of group members)
  3. Specific details
  4. Clarity
  5. Organization
  6. Speaking & vocal delivery
  7. Interaction with audience
  8. Value & effectiveness (e.g., persuasiveness; informativeness; the uniqueness, or potential artistic, social or commercial value of the project)
Requirements
  • Length: About 4-5 minutes per person
  • Due date: End of midterm week
  • NOTE: There will be no class sessions during midterm week, since you are doing a midterm project on your own time.

I will not consider PPT, and you should not use PPT or other presentation media for this; 'interaction with audience' here would be basic eye contact with the camera / viewer, body language, etc. For pairs or groups, each person should participate equally, and everyone needs to introduce themselves at the beginning.

The following sites might be helpful for some terminology.

Good luck.


2.5 Final presentation

Click on the 'Expand' applet on the right to see or collapse past assignments and materials.

Creative project - Film / TV proposal

For the final, you will present an idea for an original film or TV show, as in in-class presentation. You will present your project idea as if you are giving a pitch to investors to ask them to fund your project. Your idea can be based on your midterm video, or you can modify or change it.

Length (minimum - maximum):

  • 1 person (solo): 6-10 minutes
  • 2 persons (duo): 5-8 minutes per person
  • 3-6 persons: 4-6 minutes per person

Grading criteria: This will be graded more strictly than the midterm or previous assignments. I will grade according to the following criteria in the textbook (section 1.3) for major presentations.

  • Rationale, goals, objectives
  • General contents
  • Support & details - e.g., for the film / TV show itself
  • Project details - for the whole project
  • Clarity
  • Organization
  • Speaking & vocal delivery
  • Interaction with audience
  • Use of visual aids*
  • Equal participation
  • Value
  • Reception & effectiveness

[*] This refers to how the visual aid is used in your presentation. Your PPT file (or other visual aid) will be submitted separately, in a separate assignment space in the LMS. This is the so-called pitch deck or presentation file, and it can be a PPT file, a Prezi, or a brochure (e.g., a document created in a word processor or publishing program and saved in PDF).

Please see the following sections in the book.

  • Chapter 7: Video production & other terminology
  • Chapter 9: Project details & guidelines
  • Grading criteria in section 1.3 of the book
  • A make-up lecture video in the LMS shows a sample solo presentation (for one of the class sessions missed due to holidays around Chuseok; attendance applies to Week 15)
  • There is a sample write-up in §9.3 of the book; this is from past semesters, when I required a written essay for this assignment, but this is no longer required. The idea in this example is slightly different from the example in the lecture video example.

Date: Groups and individuals will give their presentations in class during the make-up days of Dec. 12 or 13. You can come on the day that you / your group is scheduled. For attendance purposes, this day will take the place of the final exam day (of the following week). We will assign groups and times a bit later.


2.5.1 Visual aids

The file should be uploaded in the LMS, or a link to it can be entered in the LMS assignments space. The file can be in one of the following formats.

  • A PPT file (or similar format)
  • A link to a shared Google Slide presentation (make sure it is fully shared, i.e., check the file permissions and make sure that the link works)
  • A link to a Prezi file (make sure the link works)
  • A brochure or handout in PDF, Word, or LibreOffice / ODT format

This will count as a minor ten-point assignment (like a Google Form assignment), and as one of the 10-12 grading criteria for the final presentation.

By the way, here is a link to the presentation slides for the demo presentation that I did (my fictional presentation for 'Warped'). https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1YTR_bAhXiawERIPcZHqX2tA65TYsVKJMzf5uoQV_N50/edit?usp=sharing

3 Pronunciation

3.1 Misheard song lyrics

Click on the 'Expand' applet on the right to see or collapse past assignments and materials.

You can listen to some of the following songs on Youtube, which are songs that have been famously misheard by some listeners. The time index is the time point in the song where the misheard lyrics first appear. You can also a video on the English Wiki Youtube channel with the relevant segments: EW: Misheard song lyrics

Link Song Time index Original lyrics Misheard as ...
[105] “Purple Haze,” Jimi Hendrix (1967) 0:49 Excuse me while I kiss the sky Excuse me while I kiss this guy
[106] “I’m A Believer,” The Monkeys (1967) 0:27 Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer Then I saw her face, now I’m gonna leave her
[107] “I Can See Clearly Now,” Johnny Nash (1972) 0:07 I can see clearly now, the rain is gone I can see clearly now, Lorraine is gone
[108] “Bad Moon Rising,” Creedance Clearwater Revival (1969) 0:34 There’s a bad moon on the rise There’s a bathroom on the right
[109] “Beast of Burden,”[2] Rolling Stones (1978) 0:15 I’ll never be your beast of burden I’ll never leave your pizza burnin’
[110] “Dancing Queen,” Abba (1976) 0:30 See that girl, watch that scene, diggin’ the dancing queen See that girl, watch her scream, kicking the dancing queen
[111] “Sweet Dreams,” Eurythmics (1983) 0:08 Sweet dreams are made of these. Who am I to disagree. Travelled the world and the seven seas Sweet cream is made of cheese, Who am I to disagree, Travelled the world in generic jeans
[112] “Tiny Dancer,” Elton John (1973) 3:00 Hold me closer, tiny dancer Hold me closer, Tony Danza[3]
[113] “Got my mind set on you,” George Harrison (1987) 0:05 Got my mind set on you Thought my mom sat on you
[114] “Another Brick in the Wall,” Pink Floyd (1979) 2:39 No dark sarcasm in the classroom The ducks are hazards in the classroom.
[115] “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Bob Dylan (1963) 0:42 The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. The answer is blowin’ in the wind. The ants are my friends, they’re blowin’ in the wind, The ants are a-blowin’ in the wind.
[116] “Aquarius,” Fifth Dimension (1969) 0:36 This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius This is the dawning of the age of asparagus
[117] “Losing My Religion,” REM (1991) 1:03 That’s me in the corner, that’s me in the spotlight Let’s pee in the corner, let’s pee in the spotlight
[118] “My Heart Will Go On,” Celine Dion (1997) 1:07 I believe that the heart does go on I believe that the hot dogs go on
[119] “I Can’t Fight This Feeling,” REO Speedwagon (1984) 0:19 I can’t fight this feeling anymore. I can’t climb this ceiling any more.
[120] “Blinded By the Light,” Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (1976) 0:15 Revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night

Wrapped up like a douche[4], you know the rumor in the night

[121] “Oh Canada,” Canadian National Anthem 0:52 Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee. Oh Canada, we stand on cars and freeze.


4 Genres

See also the page on genres and the page on plot elements.

4.1 Introduction: Visual arts genres

In your group, choose one particular visual arts genre (TV/film) or literary genre to discuss. For your genre, what are common genre elements? Discuss this, and write some notes or answers to these questions below.

  • Defining features or typical features (“ingredients”)
  • Typical elements (plot / plot elements, setting / scene, characters / actors, protagonists, antagonists, contents, film techniques)
  • Audience: target audience, audience expectations
  • Appeal: reasons for its appeal
  • Important subgenres
  • Social value - what is the social value or utility of this?
  • Vocabulary - important terms that you need to know to discuss this genre


4.1.1 Other videos

You may watch a Youtube video or videos and react to them.

Reaction & discussion
  1. Reaction form: Susan Boyle video
  2. Reaction form: Pet Shop Boys: Twenty Something

The Pet Shop Boys is a British techno-pop / new wave band that was mainly famous in the 1980s. Notes: Correctional center / facility = low-security jail (for minor crimes). The term “20 something” refers to someone’s age that is roughly somewhere in their 20s (or 20대).  Discuss: Why did they make this video? Why was it set in the US, featuring members of an American minority group? What is your reaction to the video? How does it make you feel? What does it make you think about? Is it effective? Why did the Pet Shop Boys set this video in a Hispanic community in Los Angeles? How does the video style and production enhance the video’s message?

More music examples
    1. Phil Collins: In the Air Tonight
    2. [122] Sergio Mendes - Never Gonna Let You Go (1983)


5 Pragmatics & communication

Conversational maxims and examples
  1. TV / film excerpts (pragmatics)
  2. Tom Scott: Implicature


5.1 Humor and humor genres

Humor can be classified into different genres based on the source or topic of humor, how it is delivered, or the context, i.e., when, where, or how it is delivered. Discuss the different genres or types of humor that you can think of. What are some typical examples? Which ones do you like or not like, and why? See the page on humor genres.


Sketches
  1. Sketch videos
    1. Do you speak English?
    2. English study group
    3. BBC Iraqi insurgent subtitles sketch
    4. Scottish Elevator With Voice Recognition
    5. Gymnasty series - stunts
Parodies

Parody commercials

  1. I asked AI to make a Donald trump orange juice commercial
  2. Voters for Trump - SNL parody
  3. [123] George Ryan: Nature documentary parody


Parody sketches

  1. [124] Sesame Street: Grover Stars in "Smell Like A Monster."


5.2 Making pitches: Adverts

Emotional appeals

What kind of emotional appeals are used here? Do you think these adverts were effective? Why? (Note: #1-2 are classic Superbowl commercials.)

  1. Apple Superbowl ad [125] (The scene is based on the George Orwell novel 1984.)
  2. Volkswagen: The Force [126]
  3. Your brain on drugs [127] - From a 1980s anti-drug campaign in the US.
  4. World Wildlife Federation (print advert)


Humorous adverts

Are these effective adverts? Why / When does humor work?

  1. Berlitz German Coast Guard [128]
  2. Trunk monkey [129]
  3. Bear fight (salmon advert) [130]
  4. Got milk? [131] This refers to a trivia question about Aaron Burr, a minor figure in early American history. The advert is intended to get people to buy more milk.
  5. Old Spice [132]
  6. On the Fritz [133] Note: Fritz is a German male name (equivalent to Fred). But ‘on the fritz’ is an English colloquial expression, meaning that some device is not working properly, is broken, and/or needs to be repaired.
  7. Nolan’s cheddar [134]


Strange, unusual, or annoying commercials

Do you think these commercials are effective? Why do companies make such adverts?

  1. This was a local commercial for a bedding store in Texas in 2016. What were they trying to do? Do you think it was successful? How do you think the public reacted? (Twin Towers refers to the former World Trade Center in New York.) Twin tower mattress: [135]
  2. Little Baby’s Ice Cream [136]
  3. Quizno’s Spongemonkeys [137]
  4. KFee Coffee: [138] (Warning: There is a jump scare near the end. The German slogan at the end means “You’ve never been so awake.”)


Gender bias and stereotypes

In what ways do these adverts use or play with (or subvert) gender stereotypes? Are they sexist? Offensive?

  1. Old Spice: [139]
  2. YT toy advert: [140]
  3. Like a girl [141]


5.3 Pitches

How do you make a sales pitch?

  • Target audience
  • Establishing your “cred” (credibility)
  • Clear goals
  • Outline & rehearse
  • Call to action

The outline should consist of 3-4 reasons - coherent, unique reasons and/or a USP (Unique Selling Point)

  • why someone would need or want it
  • ROI (return on investment)
  • evidence / support


5.4 Body language

You might like to watch and discuss the following clip from Big Bang Theory on body language:


5.5 Using visual aids

What are the worst PowerPoint mistakes that you’ve ever seen? (This might be a problem in PPT design, or how presenters use PPT.) Watch the following video. What mistakes does he point out? Why do people make such mistakes? (Have you been guilty of any of these?) 

  1. Death by PPT, 4 min. version [142] 
  2. Death by PPT, long version [143] 


6 Video production

In your opinion, what movie, show, or music video shows a very high degree of production quality? How does it enhance the viewer’s experience?


Discuss the following.

  1. Clip from an old sci-fi film.
  2. The Room Discuss these clips from a film called The Room. What can you tell about the quality of the movie? What problems do you see with the production? 
  3. News bloopers News bloopers: How about these bloopers from local TV news broadcasts? Why do these seem unprofessional? (Jump  2:24 to 6.12)


OK Go videos

Watch and react to the following videos.

  1. I won’t let you down + lyrics
  2. The writing’s on the wall + lyrics
  3. Upside down & inside out + lyrics
  4. This too shall pass (Rube Goldberg machine) + lyrics
  5. The one moment + lyrics

Notes:

  • "The writing's on the wall": This is an English idiom for when you see something as a sign that bad fortune is about to happen -- in this case, the singer addresses his girlfriend and explains how he sees bad signs that their relationship is headed for failure. (The idiom comes from a story in the fictional book of Daniel in the Jewish Bible or Christian Old Testament.)
  • Rube Goldberg was a famous American cartoonist in the early to middle 20th century, who was famous for his cartoons that depicted extremely complicated “inventions” for doing simple, everyday tasks. Such a setup is known as a Rube Goldberg machine.




7 See also

7.1 Notes

  1. EBM = electronic body music
  2. Beast of burden= an old expression for an animal used for carrying heavy loads or burdens
  3. Tony Danza was a minor TV actor in the 1970s and 1980s.
  4. ‘Deuce’ is an old slang term for a racing car, which can be ‘revved up’ – pressing the gas pedal to increase the engine revolutions and engine noise; ‘douche’ is a feminine hygiene product (피임법의 하나로 하는) 질 세척), and in modern slang, also a vulgar insult.

7.2 EnWIki Links

  1. Humor genres
  2. Genres
  3. Plot elements
  4. Tropes

7.3 Youtube channels

  1. Rick Beato: A music producer who analyzes pop and rock music, music theory, and the music industry 
  2. Professor of Rock: Analysis of classic rock and pop songs from the 1970s to the 1990s 
  3. Adam Neely: A music expert who teaches and discusses music theory and musicology

7.4 Other links