The Man Who Thinks He Can

If you think you are beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don't.

If you'd like to win, but think you can't

It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you've lost.

For out in the world we find

Success begins with a fellow's will:

It's all in his state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are:

You've got to think high to rise,

You've got to be sure of yourself before

You'can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man,

But sooner or later the man who wins

Is the one who thinks he can. 

Walter D. Wintle

ACTIVITIES

1. Let's read it aloud and discuss which word/s should be stressed and why. What happens if, for example, I take out the word NOT in the 2nd line? 

In this way, students engage in a pretty interesting discussion; they find out the message of each stanza without real intention, and discover the hidden power or words :) 

2. Now that we have agreed on the meaningful words, let's focus on the punctuation. When do we generally use commas/semi colons/colons and stops? Why do you think the author has chosen those marks in those lines? 

By moving those questions in groups, the students discover the importance of the punctuation marks ;) 

3. Let's get creative! Copy the If clauses and finish them with your own ideas. 

Before letting the students plunge into the activity, talk with them about the message conveyed in the first conditional.  

4. Going beyond! Fill in these phrases with your thoughts, beliefs or experiences. 

For out in the world we find___________

Success begins with____________

Life's battles don't always go______

But sooner or later the man who wins________

Here the students must think about themselves, those around them, their context, etc before completing the lines. Not only, do we ask them to think but also to FEEL ;) 

5. Pair work: Choose one of the stanzas and imagine you want to SELL that idea. 

A. Create a slogan for it.

B. Draw a symbol for your "product" 

This activity works marvellously since the students get really hooked and, once again, they are working with the poem and its messages but from a more original perspective :) 

I hope you have enjoyed these activities as much as I have and do every time I work with this wonderful poem !! 

Let me know about your experience with it :)