Process

1) Who do you turn to for advice? 2) What's an agony aunt / uncle ? 3) Do you ever read advice columns in magazines? 4) For what kind of problems would you use a help line or a problem page in a magazine? 5) What's the best piece of advice ever given to you? 6) Who was the last person you gave advice to? What problem did he/she have? What did you say? Back to top

b) Since the language in advice columns is informal, you can expect to find collocations, phrasal verbs, idiomatic expressions, etc. Print out the vocabulary worksheet and fill it in with the phrases highlighted in the letter samples. To find out what the phrases mean, try looking up their meanings under one or more of the words that make them up. c) You can use the following online dictionaries at any time during your activities.

a) In groups of four, choose one of the following topics : 1.- Family and Friends 2.- Relationships 3.- Work and Money 4.- Health issues b) Do some research on the topic by reading some problem letters on the Net. You can print out the vocabulary worksheet to take notes and write down useful phrases that might help you to improve your writing. 1.- Ask Anne 2.- Dear Abby 3.- Caroline Agony Angel 4.- Dear Jeremy 5.- Advice from agony aunt Fiona Caine 6.- Ann Widdecombe's no-nonsense solutions 7.- Problem Exchange

Now that you have gathered enough information about your topic, you are ready to make your own advice column.

a) Think of the problem you would like to deal with in your group.

b) Write a letter requesting some advice.

c) Swap your letter with another group.

d) Choose one of the following roles, split up the group into two A's and two B's and write a reply letter accordingly.

Advice Columnist A - You are a conservative and traditional advice columnist. You are not very keen on changes and tend to favour traditional views and values. Write a letter giving advice.

Advice Columnist B - You are an open-minded and unconventional advice columnist. Your style is direct and witty, although your advice might be sometimes controversial. Write a letter giving advice.

e) You can take your inspiration from existing advice columns, but you have to write your own letters and answers.

f) Once you have written your letters, read them in the group and suggest improvements.

g)Think of a name for your advice column and a title for your problem and write a draft.

h) Decide on the layout of your page and write the final copy.

This is the last step of the process! After your hard work, it would be nice to share your terrific advice column with the rest of the class. Hang your advice columns on the walls of the classroom and have a look at the other groups's production. Back to top