Why men should listen
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In 2019, the historian Kimberly Probolus wrote a letter to the New York Times in which she urged women to write more Letters to the Editor in order to make their voices heard. The NYT published the letter, and responded by publishing more Letters from women. In early 2020, Probolus wrote another letter, following up on the first, in which she suggested that the problem is not so much that women don't make their voices heard, but rather that men often don't listen!
I reproduce that second letter here, firstly because the issue raised is a significant one, and secondly because Probolus' letter is a pretty good model of what is meant by this type of text called 'Letter to the Editor'.
So, let's start by reading the text...
Handout
Men should listen LINKS
1. Use Student Access page Why men should listen if you want students to prepare this text by reading and studying on their own
2. This page is closely linked to the pages Editor letters, sampled and TASKS Editor letters, sampled . These pages provide three letters in answer to this original text, with different reactions; and can be used to learn more about the structure and approach required in a Letter to the Editor
The text & exercises
The text speaks for itself, really, in terms of content. It is very lucidly written, and makes a series of points effectively - students should not have much difficulty in understanding the basic message, although they may not grasp all of the details accurately. You can then develop a discussion around the whole topic of whether men (or boys) listen properly to women (or girls).
The exercises are designed to direct students' attention to skills of structural analysis, and of detailed comprehension.
Structural analysis
The first exercise requires students to skim and summarise the content (and therefore the purpose) of each paragraph. Here are the expected answers - click on the little icon to reveal them.
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Which paragraph or paragraphs contain the following general ideas?
Direct address to the target audience ……………………… ?
paragraph D
A personal anecdote ………………………… ?
paragraphs A & B
A concluding summary / overview ……………………………. ?
paragraph I
Specific practical proposals …………………………. ?
paragraphs E & F
General areas for change ………………………… ?
paragraphs G & H
An assessment of progress ……………………….. ?
paragraph C
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Detailed reading
Here are the answers to the MCQs:-
1... D ... 2.... A ... 3... B .... 4... C .... 5... B .... 6... D .... 7... A ....
Links & extensions
Dealing with big issues ... various pages in this website contain texts which express strongly held views on a range of contemporary issues. These can be valuable to start lively discussions in class - always remembering that we should be respectful of differing points of view, and that we should not set out to indoctrinate...
> Obama at Tucson ... an extract from a speech by Obama, following a shooting in the US - the power of clear, direct statement which transmits honesty
> Political speech ... extract from a classic speech by a left wing politician, criticizing right wing neoliberal views - apart from the political stance taken, highlights the value of the skilled use of rhetoric
> Internet polemic ... arguing for the usefulness of the internet, against the view that the internet creates superficial, lazy minds - analysis of the skilful construction of an argument
> Globalisation & history ... extract from a video in which Yuval Noah Harari discusses whether we can detect a pattern or purpose in human history - not directly about globalisation, but raises the question of whether, in the 21C, we are at a turning point in the big picture of history
> Race relations ... extracts from a fictional blog in a novel raise this whole topic in a lively and stimulating way - leads into the whole area of how to write interesting and provocative blog entries...
> Dismaland ... an article, and various internet links, about a controversial exhibition organised by the graffiti artist Banksy - the various exhinits and images raise a wide range of thorny issues about the contemporary world...
> DHMO ... a pamphlet condemning pollution by a very common chemical - a powerful criticism (or is it?)...
> 'Gun control' critique ... a text arguing against any form of gun control is analysed for credibility - it sets out to be a forceful expression of a view, but in the end, it...er... isn't! Good practice in critical thinking...
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