War is what happens when language fails.
Margaret Atwood
“There once was a time in this business when I had the eyes of the whole world! But that wasn't good enough for them, oh no! They had to have the ears of the whole world too. So they opened their big mouths and out came talk. Talk! TALK!”
-- Norma Desmond, Sunset Boulevard
Debate plays a key role in our societies .Films and books often picture groups of people seriously discussing a subject or characters being judged and showcased for the quality of their arguments and their oratory skills .In everyday life too, mastering the skills to express oneself convincingly is definitely an asset either for politicians or ordinary people.
But what makes public speaking effective and to which purpose ?
But what makes public speaking effective and to which purpose ?
Of the importance of elocution
The art of careful public speaking, using clear pronunciation and good breathing to control the voice is sometimes vital .Watch the extracts from Singin' in the Rain by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly (1952) drive.google.com/file/d/1v5vMFqjce9THwqrZ-bIyDtRDsS5z6sNe/view?usp=sharing
and The King's Speech directed by Tom Hooper ( 2010) drive.google.com/file/d/10YX8YCSn5f-qFAtGduFqIOuRN4HGjU6t/view?usp=sharing
and find out :
and The King's Speech directed by Tom Hooper ( 2010) drive.google.com/file/d/10YX8YCSn5f-qFAtGduFqIOuRN4HGjU6t/view?usp=sharing
and find out :
- Why diction coaches were hired in each case
- Which help the coaches offered ( coaching methods) + the results
- How the coach / student relationship is presented . ( study the cinematic devices)
- Define the tone of each movie and their genre.
But is diction the only problem ?
In groups, act out one of the two extracts from Pygmalion . Mind the pronunciation , intonation and performance. Then compare Professor Higgins' intentions to the "result" of his coaching in the extract from My Fair Lady ( George Cukor - 1964), which is a film adaptation of the play. Which message do you think the playwright ( Geroge Bernard Shaw) wanted to convey ? drive.google.com/file/d/1zU6zYV-p6ae9GodPEtQ7ysNR0ZMDwKd6/view?usp=sharing |
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Arguing and pledging one's love
Would you say that both extracts follow the tips given by the BBC to win an argument ?
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After studying Darcy's proposal speech, turn to the extract from Manhattan by Woody Allen ( 1979) .
drive.google.com/file/d/1vszQhqR4ICi3fy7XHE_latoxtfOteNJU/view?usp=sharing
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The secrets of a convincing speech
Winston Churchill perfectly mastered the art of rhetoric. Read his unpublished early pamphlet , fill in the grid and compare his ideas to what Cicero advocated in "On the Orator" .
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- Watch Barack Obama deliver this passage from his Sixth State of his Union Address:drive.google.com/file/d/1sg6gNXAx4UvDOtHAK-TCCsUU2mfCvaAE/view?usp=sharing
- (52:09-58:41). Make a list of what you perceive as his qualities as a public speaker.
- How does Barack Obama position himself as a defender of democracy?
- To which rhetorical figures does he resort to convey his message ? How efficent is he ?
Task :
In groups, present the speech you've been assigned ( 3 are real , one is fictional ) to your classmates. Make sure you have :
- Identified the ( historical) context
- Clearly summarized the contents of the speech
- Analysed the rhetorical devices in order to account for the impact of the speech .
- explained whether the orator has reached his / her purpose
Doc #1
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Tips :
Examine the structure of the passage. How does it support Barack Obama’s demonstration? Make a note of the colloquialisms in this extract. What is their role? Find other rhetorical tools with the same purpose. How does Barack Obama try to convince his audience that the reform he is proposing is indeed a “common sense” one? Would you say this extract shows a will to unite or to divide? Justify your answer. |
Doc #2
drive.google.com/file/d/1vFworh0vGy0vE_Bz86m_o7jpXC6yFLkR/view?usp=sharing
Tips : Find out some information about the context of this speech (what was the march about, who is Emma Gonzalez, how many people attended…).
Focus on the repetitions used by Emma Gonzalez. What effect do they produce? How crucial do you think repetitions are in a convincing speech?
She falls silent after 2 minutes and 10 seconds for 4 minutes and 15 seconds. Why does she do that? What is the reaction of the crowd? How efficient do you think her pausing is?
How does Emma Gonzalez attempt to make sure that this tragic event does not go down in history as yet another school shooting?
Doc #3
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Doc #4
- drive.google.com/file/d/10judNQ_P4XgxIXXLUoLv6lY2Cwfgu086/view?usp=sharing
- Explain the historical context against which the speech was delivered
- What did Roosevelt insist on ? Why, (see question above) . What was the purpose of his speech ?
- A large part of FDR as a gifted orator comes form his "fireside chats" with the American public .List the rhetorical devices used in this speech.
- Comment on each "freedom" . What is implied by the use of two different prepositions ( to/ from ? )
- How do these posters by Norman Rockwell reflect the influence of FDR's "Four Freedoms" speech on the American public even two years after it was delivered? ( see : http://www.americainwwii.com/articles/norman-rockwell-and-the-four-freedom)
Propaganda and fiction
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Read Orwell's pamphlet to understand better the dangers of a persuasive speech.
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Compare Major's speech to The final speech in Chaplin's Great dictator (1940) .
drive.google.com/file/d/12CDmECT3gEF5820bnprYJphNR6YqqXa5/view?usp=sharing
interactive link :multimedia-english.com/activities/esl/the-great-dictator-final-speech-284
Tihen turn to Julius Caesar and compare the two speeches and discuss their aim.
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Orators in the courtroom.
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1drive.google.com/file/d/1KUNNHn4RW7lwctKu-Po-nIH0r2iCNdX7/view?usp=sharing
2drive.google.com/file/d/1guf1kNi4jWJt5wfu93wz9pBpDAE_nSgL/view?usp=sharing
3drive.google.com/file/d/1ObpVqXzqgGAdIBk4NsISSaEFL7RH0PEp/view?usp=sharing
2drive.google.com/file/d/1guf1kNi4jWJt5wfu93wz9pBpDAE_nSgL/view?usp=sharing
3drive.google.com/file/d/1ObpVqXzqgGAdIBk4NsISSaEFL7RH0PEp/view?usp=sharing
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Task : act out !
This is an excerpt from the trial scene in the Crucible .
Read the summary of the play and make sure you understand the extract.
Then, in groups, act out the scene in front of the class.
Read the summary of the play and make sure you understand the extract.
Then, in groups, act out the scene in front of the class.
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Final task : You are a lawyer
You work for an important American law firm and you defend the producer of a horror film who has been accused of inciting violence . Write and act out your closing speech.
Getting ready for the exam
1)Write a commentary on the three documents.
Taking into account the specificities of the documents , analyse the way they deal with the notion of debate. ( 500 words) 2)Translate the first paragraph of A lesson Before Dying ( l1 to 5) |
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