TEACHER’S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Cancel Culture

Activity Type Introduction

Reading and Writing In this discussion essay writing practice, students read and discuss
Exercises: matching, a text on the topic of cancel culture and then plan and write a
creating an essay outline, discussion essay on the topic.
gap-fill, writing an essay,
peer review and feedback Procedure
Speaking Activity: guided Give each student a copy of the four-page worksheet.
discussion, listing,
communicative practice Students start by reading a text on the topic of cancel culture.
(group work)
Students then match words from the text to their definitions.

Focus Exercise A - Answer key

Discussion essay writing
practice 1. boycott 7. offensive
2. incite 8. backlash
3. infuriated 9. denounce
Aim 4. call out 10. marginalized
5. campaign 11. push
To practice writing a 6. accountable 12. misogyny
discussion essay on the
topic of cancel culture. Next, in small groups, students discuss whether cancel culture is
good for society and list the pros and cons of the issue in a table.

Preparation Working alone, students then use the pros and cons to prepare a
Make one copy of the discussion essay outline that examines the value of cancel culture
four-page worksheet for to society.
each student.
Remind students that they are not writing a persuasive essay.
Therefore, they must discuss both sides of the issue impartially.
Level
Following that, students complete advice about discussion essay
Upper-intermediate (B2) writing with the words provided.

Exercise E - Answer key

Time
90 minutes 1. c 2. e 3. f 4. d 5. b 6. a

Next, students use their outline to write a discussion essay that

examines the value of cancel culture to society, indicating their
stance in the conclusion.

Finally, students swap papers with a partner and use a checklist

to review and provide feedback on their partner's essay.

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 DISCUSSION ESSAYS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Cancel Culture

A. Read the text about cancel culture.

Cancel culture also referred to as call out culture is the removal of support for people, brands,
movies, art, music, etc. due to what certain people or groups perceive to be offensive opinions
or actions. It is often for something that has been said or done that exhibits racism, sexism,
or misogyny. Typically the cancellation begins with an individual or phenomenon being 'called
out' on social media which results in an increased public awareness of the offense. From this
point, a concerted campaign to cancel begins. Cancellation can happen in a number of ways. It
may involve putting pressure on organisations to cancel a particular person's public appearance
or speaking engagement. Or, it could also involve initiating a boycott of a company's product.

A famous example of cancel culture involves the author J.K. Rowling. The writer of the Harry
Potter series faced backlash for expressing fears that the push for transgender rights will
ultimately have a negative impact on the rights of women. She has defended her comments
and joined other authors and academics to denounce cancel culture. These actions further
infuriated her critics, who called for the public to boycott her books and for her publisher to
stop paying royalties.

Those who see cancel culture as a positive phenomenon, argue that it enables marginalized
people to hold others accountable for their beliefs and actions in situations where the justice
system cannot. Conversely, others take a more negative view of cancel culture and equate it to
online bullying that can incite violence and threats even worse than the original offense being
called out. Cancel culture is a contentious issue, leaving many in society to ponder some serious
questions. Is cancel culture good for society? Does cancel culture silence different opinions or
allow more opinions to be heard?

B. Write the words in bold from the text next to their definitions.

1. Refusing to buy a product or take part in an activity to express strong disapproval ...............

2. Encouraging someone to do or feel something unpleasant or violent ...............

3. To feel extremely angry ...............

4. To criticize someone or ask them to explain their actions ...............

5. To organize a series of activities to try to achieve something ...............

6. Being responsible for what you do and being able to give a satisfactory reason for it ...............

7. Describing something that causes others to feel upset and angry ...............

8. A strong and negative reaction to something ...............

9. To accuse someone publicly of being bad or wrong ...............

10. Describing the treatment of someone or something as if they are not important ...............

11. To forcefully persuade or direct someone to do or achieve something ...............

12. Feelings of hating women, or the belief that men are much better than women ...............

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 DISCUSSION ESSAYS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Cancel Culture

C. In groups, discuss whether cancel culture is good for society and list the pros and
cons of the issue in the table.

Cancel Culture Pros Cancel Culture Cons

D. Use the pros and cons to create an essay outline to discuss the value of cancel
culture in society.

Thesis statement: ........................................................................................................

(For) Argument 1: ........................................................................................................

Supporting idea 1: ........................................................................................................

Supporting idea 2: ........................................................................................................

(For) Argument 2: ........................................................................................................

Supporting idea 1: ........................................................................................................

Supporting idea 2: ........................................................................................................

(Against) Argument 1: ..................................................................................................

Supporting idea 1: ........................................................................................................

Supporting idea 2: ........................................................................................................

(Against) Argument 2: ..................................................................................................

Supporting idea 1: ........................................................................................................

Supporting idea 2: ........................................................................................................

E. Complete the advice about discussion essay writing with the words below.

a. weighing b. stance c. balanced d. examine e. unbiased f. acknowledge

The aim of a discussion essay is to present a (1) .......................... view that examines two
sides of an issue. The topic is discussed in a logical and (2) .......................... manner. The
writer's task is to remain impartial and (3) .......................... various viewpoints. An easy
way to organize your essay is to discuss all the positive aspects of the topic first and then
(4) .......................... the negative aspects, or vice versa. It is often best to state your (5)
.......................... in the conclusion after (6) .......................... both sides of the issue.

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 DISCUSSION ESSAYS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Cancel Culture

F. Use your outline to write an essay that discusses both sides of the issue of cancel
culture. Indicate your stance in the conclusion.

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 DISCUSSION ESSAYS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Cancel Culture

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G. Now, swap essays with a partner and use the checklist below to review and provide
feedback on their writing.

1. The thesis statement clearly states the purpose of the essay ........

2. Topic sentences clearly state the main idea (argument) in each body paragraph ........

3. Body paragraphs contain no irrelevant ideas or sentences ........

4. Vocabulary usage is generally varied and accurate ........

5. There is a mix of simple, compound and complex sentences ........

6. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are generally accurate ........

7. Linking words and phrases are used to make clear connections between ideas ........

8. The conclusion paraphrases the thesis statement and summarises the main points ........

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