9-12 Language Arts: Top Ten Lists 4/9/2020

David Letterman hosted a Late Show from 1980-2015. In 1985, he introduced the “Top 10” as a parody of Good Housekeeping magazine’s “Most Admired Men” feature list. The Top 10 was originally supposed to be a 2-3 week spot on the show; however, it quickly became an iconic two and half minutes that viewers loved. Our lesson today will explore the value of top 10 lists as mini-time capsules. You do not need any materials for this lesson.

Activity

1.*Make your own top 10 list. The topics can be light-hearted, serious, and anything in-between.

Possible topics: Books, books I never finished (for a dose of parody), restaurants, food that is currently available in your kitchen, TED talks, songs from a certain genre, artist, or time period, places I hope to visit one day, cooking fails, vacation moments, quotes from a favorite character, celebrity, or public figure, etc.

*You can collaborate with a friend using Google Slides to create a top 10.

More possible topics: Middle school memories, favorite laugh until you cry moments, Remember that time we… (the things that go wrong are often the best memories), lunch excursions, a particular class period, you are creative—come up with your own topic! (This should be fun!)

2. Go to You Tube and watch some of David Letterman’s Top 10 lists. Reflect on why you find them funny or outdated? Which lists have withstood the test of time?