In Birrarung Mar park in Melbourne, there is a relic of a lost age: Speakers Corner. This place was where public lectures, protests and demonstrations would be held, as it was one of the few places where large numbers of people could congregate without a permit. It still exists today, and the odd person will still go there to have their voice heard.
It is a Saturday morning, and you are one of these odd people who takes a place on one of the mounds at Speakers Corner. The world is moving in a strange direction, perhaps even a dangerous direction, or at least in a direction which is resulting in too many people falling short of their potential. We are letting ourselves become amused into distraction, and as a result people are sacrificing the great potential that rests within their humanity.
Just like Ray Bradbury felt 60 years ago, you too want have to have your voice heard.
Write the text to a persuasive speech of 600 to 700 words, in which you discuss the topic: Are we “amusing ourselves to death”? You should focus on the implications of our current choices for future generations and the future of human civilisation.
Your speech should include:
- An introduction where you establish your contention.
- Several clear arguments, each of which is supported by examples from either Fahrenheit 451 and/or the real world.
- A powerful conclusion.
- Appropriate use of persuasive devices to engage and energise your audience.
Your speech should make reference to examples from Fahrenheit 451 as a way of illustrating your arguments and drawing parallels between the past, present and, in particular, the future.
This task will form part of your assessment folio for the Fahrenheit 451 portion of your Future Worlds context study, and will go on your report.
A task sheet can be downloaded here: VCE English Unit 1, Outcome 2, Folio Task 1: Persuasive Speech
You will be marked against the following criteria: Year 11 Context Response Assessment Sheet
