How much does a self-help book really help? - Unit 8

C2 Proficiency · Multiple Matching · Close-up C2 Workbook, National Geographic Learning

You are going to read comments about self-help books. For questions 1–10, choose from the people (A-E). The people may be chosen more than once.

A Georgina

These days, there's a self-help book for every problem that could possibly plague our lives. By reading a self-help book, we can acquire the skills needed to cure depression, become that confident team leader at work or make that special someone. I would say that some of these books do merit reading and there are some that I would even recommend. But a self-help book should only ever serve as a supplementary aid and never as a stand-alone cure. This is especially true if you have a recognised medical disorder, like depression, or another serious personal problem. In cases like that, you can utilise the book as a valuable resource, but make sure you're also seeing a psychologist who has got the capability of helping you.

B John

Go to the self-help section of any major bookshop and you'll be inundated with choice. It's virtually impossible to choose which one is the best, but they all claim to be on their covers! In my personal experience, I have found the information I've read in these books fascinating and they helped me – um – help myself! But let's face it – not all books are created equally. If you're in the market for one of these books, I suggest perusing online reviews before buying. And while it might take a bit of determination to put the ideas into practice successfully, it's arguably much more affordable than consulting a professional.

C Meredith

The majority of self-help books out there work on the assumption that people are able to do what a professional can do, especially when it comes to personal problems. We've all had our fair share of personal drama and, in my experience, the last thing I wanted to do was read about how to solve it. I'm sure the writers of these books are not being dishonest – they have the intention of actually helping people. However, my advice to anyone who's undergoing a personal crisis is to consult a therapist or counsellor and leave the book on the shelf.

D Sam

When it comes to searching for a way to teach yourself how to do something, whether it be how to be more productive in life, reduce feelings of intimidation or stop being so hard on yourself, there is no one-size-fits-all book. Everyone has their own way of approaching obstacles and what works for one person – or even the majority of people – doesn't necessarily work for another. I believe some people are rather responsive to self-help books and gain a great deal of valuable knowledge that they're able to apply to their lives. For others, though, they have to seek help elsewhere, either from another book or another source entirely.

E Regina

One thing you'll never spot in my pocket is a self-help book. I'm terribly sceptical of the information contained within the pages. I have skimmed these sorts of books before, just out of curiosity. Maybe I'm approaching the issue in a biased way with a preconceived notion that all self-help authors are really just scam artists out to make a quick buck. But during the time I've spent in this section of the bookshop, the majority of titles I looked at sounded a bit suspect, like how to hold someone's interest at a party, get-rich-quick schemes and even one on how to buy a self-help book. Maybe I just got unlucky and came across the least helpful self-help books known to man.

How much does a self-help book really help?

The majority of individuals lack the capabilities these guides assume they have.

A self-help book could solve one's problems and be easy on the wallet.

Any and all obstacles in life are addressed by one self-help book or another.

Helping oneself is a highly personalised experience.

The merits of self-help books vary significantly from book to book.

Many of the issues covered in these books border on the nonsensical.

They should only ever be used in conjunction with professional guidance.

The array of options impedes one's ability to pick the right book.

Many are written by dishonest people merely for monetary gain.

The tried-and-tested advice of a professional is the only way to go.

Which person gives each of these opinions about self-help books?

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

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