7UP - The What's Up Issue

Reading and Video Activity

Have you ever thought how certain names are originated?

Where does the name 7up come from?  What does it mean?

When you make assumptions or tentative associations, you can use the following language:

It sounds like... It reminds me of... It suggests...

It makes me think of... It could be... It may be...

For example: “The name 7up reminds me of the seven days in a week.”

Read the following article about the 7up history and discuss the questions below. Use the language above for TENTATIVE ASSOCIATIONS whenever possible.

7 Up was created by Charles Leiper Grigg, who came up with the formula for a lemon-lime soft drink in 1929. The product, originally named "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda", was launched two weeks before the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The public quickly developed a taste for the soda. As it grew more and more popular, the original name was traded in for something short and sweet. Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda became known as 7UP. Although the origin of the name is unclear, it is believed that it comes from the seven main ingredients in the drink. Always at the frontier of taste and pop culture, 7UP was also among the first sodas to introduce sugar-free and caffeine free options. Through the years, ads  featured everything from a mascot named Spot, to Fido Dido to the "Make 7UP yours" tagline. However, the most successful campaign was in 1967, when 7UP brought the phrase UNCOLA into popular culture,  symbolizing being true to yourself and challenging the status quo. Adapted from 7up.com and wikipedia.com

Questions:

1.What do you think of the drink’s original name?

2.Why was it changed?

3.What is a possible explanation for the name 7up?

4.What does the tagline “Make 7up yours” mean to you?

5.What does the phrase “the Uncola” represent?

7up commercial

Complete the following chart about certain preferences that men and women may have.

“THE MALE MIND v. THE FEMALE MIND”

1.What kind of car do men like?	1.What kind of car do women like?
2.What could a fireplace represent to men?	2.What could a fireplace represent to women?
3.What kind of TV show do men enjoy watching?	3.What kind of TV show do women enjoy watching?
4.What is the perfect pet for men?	4.What is the perfect pet for women?

A)Whatch the 7up commercial and discuss the questions below:

1.Does the ad agree with your ideas about the male and the female mind? 
2.What do the following mean?

-Pink truck

-Fireplace to grill meat.

-Food show host tackled by football player.

-Cat that barks.

 B)Put the script lines in order. Then watch the ad again to check your work.

Man: Anything. Woman:But with just 10 calories, so we now both get what we want. Off Voice:Get both. Woman: We never saw eye to eye on anything. Off Voice: New 7up ten, great taste, 10 calories. Man: Both. Woman: We couldn't be happier. Man: Then we discovered the new 7up 10 has all the great taste of 7up

VOCABULARY:

“See eye to eye” = agree

 

ACTIVITY VERSION FOR GROUPS

Brainstorming, Discussion, Reading and Video Activity

Language Functions: Tentative associations, explaining meanings, agreeing and voting for a choice.

Part 1 : Brainstorming segment A – small groups

1) Share ideas: Make suggestions or say anything that comes to mind to answer the question below. There are no right or wrong comments. This is a free association exercise. You have 8 minutes to come up with a list of at east 15 possible answers. Every idea is welcome. No criticism or judgement, please!

QUESTION:  Where does the name 7up come from? What does it mean?

Language to use: Tentative Associations

It sounds like... It reminds me of... It suggests...

It makes me think of... It could be... It may be...

2)Class discussion: Share your list with the other groups. Write all ideas from each group for everyone to see – on a board, flipchart, etc.

Vote and select the top 5 answers.

Language to use: Selecting & Voting

I’m for...                    ...the idea about... I vote for...                ...the theory of... I agree with...           ...the one about... I choose...                ...the explanation about...

Part 2 : Reading and Discussion segment

Read the following article about the 7up history and discuss the questions below. Use the language above for TENTATIVE ASSOCIATIONS whenever possible.

7 Up was created by Charles Leiper Grigg, who came up with the formula for a lemon-lime soft drink in 1929. The product, originally named "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda", was launched two weeks before the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The public quickly developed a taste for the soda. As it grew more and more popular, the original name was traded in for something short and sweet. Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda became known as 7UP. Although the origin of the name is unclear, it is believed that it comes from the seven main ingredients in the drink. Always at the frontier of taste and pop culture, 7UP was also among the first sodas to introduce sugar-free and caffeine free options. Through the years, ads  featured everything from a mascot named Spot, to Fido Dido to the "Make 7UP yours" tagline. However, the most successful campaign was in 1967, when 7UP brought the phrase UNCOLA into popular culture,  symbolizing being true to yourself and challenging the status quo. Adapted from 7up.com and wikipedia.com

Questions:

1.What do you think of the drink’s original name?

2.Why was it changed?

3.What is a possible explanation for the name 7up?

4.Did anyone come close during the brainstorming session?

5.What does the tagline “Make 7up yours” mean to you?

6.What does the phrase “the Uncola” represent?

Part 3 : Brainstorming B and Pre-watching Segment

Get in one of two groups: MALE STUDENTS or FEMALE STUDENTS and come up with the 3 answers requested in the chart. Follow the instructions for Brainstorming A, and first say anything that comes to mind. Finaly, vote for 3 final answers.

Chart for female students: “THE MALE MIND”

1.What kind of car do men like?	a).......................................... b).......................................... c)..........................................
2.What could a fireplace represent to them?	a).......................................... b).......................................... c)..........................................
3.What kind of TV show do they enjoy watching?	a).......................................... b).......................................... c)..........................................
4.What is the perfect pet for them?	a).......................................... b).......................................... c)..........................................

Chart for male students: “THE FEMALE MIND”

1.What kind of car do women like?	a).......................................... b).......................................... c)..........................................
2.What could a fireplace represent to them?	a).......................................... b).......................................... c)..........................................
3.What kind of TV show do they enjoy watching?	a).......................................... b).......................................... c)..........................................
4.What is the perfect pet for them?	a).......................................... b).......................................... c)..........................................

Share your ideas with the class, discuss and compare notes. Remember being sensitive to everyone.

Part 4 : Watching and Discussion Segment

A)Whatch the 7up commercial and discuss the questions below:

1.Does the ad agree with your ideas in the second brainstorming segment? 
2.What do the following mean?

-Pink truck

-Fireplace to grill meat.

-Food show host tackled by football player.

-Cat that barks.

 B)Put the script lines in order. Then watch the ad again to check your work.

Man: Anything. Woman:But with just 10 calories, so we now both get what we want. Off Voice:Get both. Woman: We never saw eye to eye on anything. Off Voice: New 7up ten, great taste, 10 calories. Man: Both. Woman: We couldn't be happier. Man: Then we discovered the new 7up 10 has all the great taste of 7up

VOCABULARY:

“See eye to eye” = agree

 Answers here!