Personal Ads

Personal ads are a type of classified ad in which a person advertises his/her qualities and requests specific qualities of another.

Tips:

  • Begin with a catchy "header."
  • Describe yourself and your interests first.
  • Describe your desired person last.
  • Try to be witty and creative.
  • Be appropriate. Personal ads that are rude or obscene don't get run.


Abbreviations

S - Single
D - Divorced
WW - Widowed
W - White
B - Black
NA - Native American
A - Asian
H - Hispanic
NS - Non-smoker
ND - Non-drinker
ISO - In search of
LTR - Long term relationship
DDF- Disease/drug free
HWP - Height/weight proportionate

Directions: Using the instructions you already have, write a personal ad for any character in one of the comedies.

Good choices:

  • From Twelfth Night: Orsino, Olivia, Viola, Malvolio
  • From Midsummer Night's Dream: Helena, Titania
  • From Taming of the Shrew: Petruchio, Katherina, Lucentio, Hortensio
  • From Love's Labors Lost: Anyone
  • From Much Ado About Nothing: Benedick, Beatrice, Hero, Claudio

In addition to the ordinary items in the ad, you might also include words or phrases from the play that describe the characters. See the sample below from Romeo and Juliet.

OUT OF HER FAVOR
Where I am in love. SWM, 17, likes poetry in the moonlight, unlucky in love (so far,) ISO SWF who doth teach the torches to burn bright. Please help me heal my broken heart.

You may write your ad on this sheet.

Handout by Linda Kramer, Norman High School North