English · Première, Terminale (B1 to C2), Bac pro

Session 6: Shifting a debate step by step: the Overton window

Read one step, do it, then move on.
Step 1

Recap check

Recap check
  1. Give two differences between a post and an article.
  2. What does a newspaper do when it is wrong?
  3. What is a standfirst?
Answer key
  1. Named author, date, sources, aim to inform, corrections.
  2. It publishes a correction.
  3. The short summary under the headline.
Step 2

Objectives

Step 3
Today's language goal

To explain step by step how a debate can be shifted on purpose, we need the words of influence (bandwagon, fake expert, unsourced, mainstream, fringe) and used to / be used to / get used to.

Documents

Step 4

Grammar lesson: used to, be used to, get used to

To explain step by step how a debate can be shifted on purpose, we need used to, be used to, get used to
On the board, to copy

Rule

used to laugh = before, not now. get used to wearing = it becomes normal.

Form

  • used to + base verb: People used to laugh. Negative: didn't use to.
  • be used to + noun / -ing: We are used to seeing pyjamas in town.
  • get used to + noun / -ing: People got used to the idea.
  • Careful: after be / get used to, never the base verb.

Examples from the lesson

  • People used to laugh at the idea.
  • Little by little, they got used to seeing pyjamas at the market.
  • Now they are used to it: it has become the norm.

Common mistakes

  • Not People are used to wear pyjamas., but People are used to wearing pyjamas.
  • Not I use to laugh., but I used to laugh.

Quick check (2 minutes, hands up or mini whiteboards)used to, be used to or get used to?

  1. People ______ laugh at pyjamas in town.
  2. After the videos, they started to ______ the idea.
  3. Now everyone ______ seeing it.
  4. I ______ like odd socks, but now I love them. (negative)
Show the answers

1. used to. 2. get used to. 3. is used to. 4. didn't use to.

Exercises

EntryRecognition. Say if the sentence describes a past habit (P), a process of change (C) or a new normal (N).

  1. People used to find it ridiculous.
  2. Shoppers got used to seeing pyjamas.
  3. Now we are used to it.
  4. Teenagers used to mock the idea.
  5. Slowly, the town is getting used to the trend.
  6. Influencers are used to launching trends.
Show the answers

1. P. 2. C. 3. N. 4. P. 5. C. 6. N.

CoreGap-fill. Use used to, be used to or get used to, in the right form, with the verb in the right form.

  1. Ten years ago, people (laugh) at this idea.
  2. At first it was strange, but we (see) it.
  3. Influencers (post) every day: it is their job.
  4. It took months to (the new rule).
  5. I (not / wear) odd socks, but now I do.
  6. Will people ever (eat) chips for breakfast?
  7. Our grandparents (read) the news on paper.
Show the answers

1. used to laugh. 2. got used to seeing. 3. are used to posting. 4. get used to the new rule. 5. didn't use to wear. 6. get used to eating. 7. used to read.

StretchProduction. Invent your own neutral scenario (chips for breakfast, odd socks) in six steps. Use each structure at least once.

Show the answers

For example: Unthinkable: people used to think chips for breakfast were a joke. Radical: a funny video shows a family eating chips at 7 a.m. Acceptable: a so-called nutritionist says it gives energy. Sensible: an unsourced poll claims many teenagers do it. Popular: influencers post their breakfast chips, and fans get used to the idea. Policy: now everyone is used to it, and a café sells “breakfast chips”.

Words in action

To say it precisely, we need the right words

EntryMatch: bandwagon effect, fake expert, unsourced, mainstream.

  1. accepted by most people
  2. with no source given
  3. doing something because everyone else does
  4. someone who pretends to be a specialist
Show the answers

1. mainstream. 2. unsourced. 3. bandwagon effect. 4. fake expert.

Task 1

For each step, name the technique: humour, emotion, fake expert, unsourced figure, repetition, bandwagon effect.
Step 5

Task 2

Tell apart a fashion that changes naturally and a debate pushed on purpose.
Step 6

Task 3

Invent your own neutral scenario (chips for breakfast, odd socks) in six steps.
Step 7

Figures of speech in the documents

Metaphors: the Overton window and the bandwagon

“the Overton window”; techniques: “bandwagon effect”

The window shows the ideas people accept. It can move. This is a metaphor.

EntryWhat does the window frame?

Show the answers

The ideas that people find acceptable.

Gap-fill worksheet

Word bank : window unthinkable repetition poll norm
  1. The Overton describes the ideas the public accepts at a given time.
  2. At first, the idea seems .
  3. makes an idea familiar.
  4. A with no source proves nothing.
  5. In the end, the idea becomes the .
Answer key
  1. window
  2. unthinkable
  3. Repetition
  4. poll
  5. norm
Step 8

Expression task

Now say it

Invent your own neutral scenario in six steps and present it to the class; the class names each technique.

EntryThree steps: unthinkable, popular, norm, one sentence each.

Tools to use:

  • humour, fake expert, unsourced poll, bandwagon
  • used to, be used to, get used to
  • first, then, finally

Sentence starters:

  • At first, people used to ...
  • Then ...
  • Finally, everyone is used to ...
Show a model answer

At first, people used to think that odd socks were a mistake. Then a funny video showed a teacher in odd socks. A so-called fashion expert said it showed creativity. An unsourced poll claimed half the class did it. Influencers jumped on the bandwagon, and people got used to it. Now everyone is used to odd socks. Warning: when the window moves this fast, ask who is pushing it.

Homework

Write your neutral six-step scenario, then one sentence per step showing how a careful reader can resist (ask for the source, check the expert, look for the poll).
Answer keyModel answer: six steps in order (unthinkable, radical, acceptable, sensible, popular, norm), one technique per step, one critical response per step.