Talking point: April Fools' Day

Have you ever played practical jokes?
Have you ever been the victim of practical jokes?
Can you tell any stories?
Do you know about any pranks that went too far?

Today is April Fools' Day and our post lends itself to a reading and speaking activity you can do with the members of your talking group. In preparation for your conversation lesson, you can read this  The New York Times article about the cultural purpose of pranks. These questions may help you focus on specific aspects of the article and help you trigger off the debate in your talking group:

a. Why do people play practical jokes on each other?
b. What functions, from an anthropological point of view, do pranks serve among social groups around the world?
c. What are the characteristics of each of the three categories of pranks described by Abbie Hoffman?
d. Based on your own prior knowledge, what “human fears and failings” might be humorous fodder for a good prank?
e. What psychological benefits can arise from being duped?
f. According to the article, what are the necessary requirements to design and carry out a “good” practical joke?
g. What is counterfactual thinking and how does it facilitate personal growth and improvement?
h. In your opinion, does the article provide a justification for bullying and/or hazing? Why or why not?

If you wish to have a visual element to add to your discussion you can drop by Pranksite, where you will have the opportunity to watch funny prank videos. Perhaps you can watch one of the videos at home and explain the practical jokes to the people in your conversation group in as much detail as possible.

You can also listen to the BBC Podcast entry we published last year for April Fool's Day.