ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE English Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English & EAL => Topic started by: rife168 on December 19, 2011, 07:08:21 pm
-
We are not too far away from our first yr12 English SAC, the Oral Presentation (mine is on the 6th of feb) and I want to be as prepared as possible so I am looking for some ideas for topics to inspire both me and whoever else will read this post.
The issues have to have been in Australian media since September 2011.
Some (quite cliché) topics to get started:
- The use of nuclear power as a renewable energy source
- Legalisation of gay marriage
- 'Occupy' protesters and wealth inequalities
- Overpopulation - how it affects the economy, health etc.
- Climate change/global warming
- Poverty - cause and possible prevention
Now, your turn.
-
the asylum seekers that recently had the boat crash?
-
Carbon tax, QANTAS saga, Nursing strikes
-
i actually did one of the topics you suggested:
- The use of nuclear power as a renewable energy source
it has some interesting points both for and against the use of nuclear power :)
-
With the nuclear power and the death of Kim Jung Il today... im sure you can make it very interesting !
itd be something id consider to do if i still had eng oral sacs hehe
-
though... the uranium in nuclear power is different to that used in nuclear weapons
-
The nuclear waste left over from nuclear power can be used in weapons. If they don't have nuclear power then they need to enrich the uranium first.
-
Yea I have this too. I was thinking of doing something about identity/privacy expectations in our modern world
i.e. all the articles about privacy breaches where customer details were released to the public/to the internet.
What do you guys think of that?
-
Privacy expectations would be interesting to do.
Most of the suggested topics teachers have given us don't interest me at all :| e.g. nuclear power etc
Although, I agree that nuclear power/Kim Jong Il would be really interesting to do as well :)
I'm thinking along the lines of taxation on fatty foods e.g. 'fat tax' or if all else fails, just do the classic beauty pageants debate.
There are about 3 people doing abortion in my class and 2 doing gay marriage, I think choosing a topic that is slightly different will be a breath of fresh air :)
-
I'm thinking QANTAS spent forever doing it for business man this year anyways
-
I'd avoid anything that people have strong predisposed political views against, such as left/right wingism; so it probably would be best not to do something like Occupy Melbourne.
But just some general tips/advice from someone who has just finished year 12. The oral is extremely subjective, and it matters a LOT on which teacher assesses your oral (well it did at my school anyway, and assuming different teachers assess different orals). It would be good if you memorise your entire speech, and also be wary of hand movements etc, I got hit really hard on that. My assessor was a prick as well.
And at the end of the day, if you have a decent cohort it really does not matter at all how you go on the oral, so don't stress too much guys. I got a C+, and a C on a unit 4 sac and got a 47. My friend also got a C+ for the oral and a B in the same unit, and got a 50. Others got A+ and didnt crack 40, so my point is the oral is a farce
-
Doesn't at all matter what you pick and what evidence you use, so long as you ace the presentation.
I hardly did any research, but rather just played to what I already knew. In 2010 I studied Geog 3/4 and subsequently knew a lot about the Murray Darling Basin, and in the subject you are required to understand conflicts and the contending parties and their motives in the MDB, so I just argued for one one side over the controversy of the North South Pipeline.
That might mean nothing to you, but all I'm saying is go by what you know. Did you do a 3/4 previously? What do you know about it that is slightly controversial? Find an argument which you already have studied and just present on that.
The more you know it, the less you have to rehearse it and the more it will flow.
IMO just play to you're strengths and argue your oral like a debater; don't be convoluted with your language and just be simple, clear, and concise. Don't come across as pretentious - come across as genuine, and talk casually with your audience as though you would a friend. Leave out the colloquial language, though, like 'like' etc.
Scored me full marks in the Oral this year. Best of luck!
I'm thinking QANTAS spent forever doing it for business man this year anyways
Exactly! You already know all about it, so present your argument on it, and it will flow much easier than if you picked a topic that you were less familiar with.
-
mental health
-
So we get to choose the topic ourself, and it can be anything? And the aim is to link it to conflict?
Ours was an "issues" presentation, not one based on our context...
-
^Boat people smuggling coming through Indonesia :o
Eurozone Debt crisis
China as an emerging superpower.
-
Does anyone know if stem-cell research is restricted in Australia?
-
AFAIK, CSIRO is doing stem cell research, so probably not restricted.
-
I think I read somewhere that stem cell research is restricted to some parts of Australia.
-
Derryn Hinch identifying sex offenders
Withdrawal of troops from Iraq
Qantas
Carbon Tax
The kid who got arrested in Bali
Do the issues have to be recent, as in from early December? And are we only allowed to focus on an issue debated in the Australian media?
-
Could someone please explain the Qantas issue to me?
I've been out and about lately and haven't really been keeping up with the news.
I really don't know how to get started on this Oral. I also feel as though my writing lacks that 'special flow', and that my expression is too unsophisticated to achieve a high 40.
-
Derryn Hinch identifying sex offenders
Withdrawal of troops from Iraq
Qantas
Carbon Tax
The kid who got arrested in Bali
Do the issues have to be recent, as in from early December? And are we only allowed to focus on an issue debated in the Australian media?
Issues have to be from September 2011 onwards. I want to find an issue that I can speak passionately about and one that my fellow classmates won't find dreary.
-
I agree with hala_madrid. The Oral is highly subjective. My friend chose this year to talk about the issue of opening a mosque close to Ground Zero. My teacher advised against it because its not an issue that is in the Australian media, or affects us directly, yet my friend did it, and she got a 17 out of 20, at which my teacher said 'she was lucky to get that much, considering she did a topic I advised against.' Meaning my friends' choice of topic made a large impact on the marks she got. And someone else in a different class did the same topic and got full marks. Clearly her choice of topic made no impact on how the teacher marked it.
Also, I did the topic of selling uranium to India, and my teacher only rewarded it a 17 because it was too complex for my audience. She called it a thesis rather than a speech, which was true LMAO My point is, think about your audience- being a group of teenagers. Dont let your speech to be too formal, and too complex. Obviously a bit of formality is needed, but choose your words wisely so that it isnt too informal, yet to formal.
Yeah, that didnt give any help on what topic to choose LOL, but I hope it helps anyway :)
-
I did that topic - the Ground Zero mosque. My teacher loved it (hence proving more subjectivity I guess) - but the important thing was that I related the issue to Australia/explained the issue's impact on Australia. Hence, I linked it to the threat of terrorism and its impact on the lives of Australians. I think if you do that (link to Aus), you really can't go wrong...
Remember its a persuasive oral - persuading the student audience of your point of view.
think about your audience- being a group of teenagers.
Its like debating but having an intro/main arguments/rebuttal all rolled into one speech.
For ideas, someone should try the ban of cattle trade from Aus to Indonesia as a topic. I think that happened in 2011...
-
The bong ban that started today
^Has potential for jokes etc along with a decent argument
-
hey guys what are your suggestions on my 3 topics?
ive been thinking between:
- the Qantas issue
- the issue between public and private schools
- Should Asylum Seekers be put into detention centres
but im just not sure which one would provide stronger arguments? and provide a range of resources?
Also, could someone clarify rebuttals and counter arguments in my oral? im unsure if i use them in each paragraph?
Thanks Again! Any helpw ould be great.
-
hey guys what are your suggestions on my 3 topics?
ive been thinking between:
- the Qantas issue
- the issue between public and private schools
- Should Asylum Seekers be put into detention centres
but im just not sure which one would provide stronger arguments? and provide a range of resources?
Also, could someone clarify rebuttals and counter arguments in my oral? im unsure if i use them in each paragraph?
Thanks Again! Any helpw ould be great.
Is your oral on any discussion topic or on one that is currently a contentious issue? If the latter, then I would steer clear of public vs private schools, as that has been going on for the last few decades if not longer.
Personally, I'd go with the QANTAS issue, simply because it is very contentious and there are many media resources. Furthermore, it is much simpler than the asylum seeker topic, which has many sides to it and might be a bit more complicated to find a solid contention.
http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/qantas-strikes-to-hit-10000-passengers-today/story-e6frfq80-1226178947905
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/qantas-strikes-deal-with-engineers/story-fn7j19iv-1226226178532
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/alan-joyce-termination-of-qantas-strikes-only-option/story-e6freuzi-1226180671376
http://www.cnngo.com/sydney/visit/qantas-dispute-strikes-heart-australian-aviations-future-035611
It might be also worthwhile reading any comments that follow those articles, as that might provide some of the stronger opinions/rebuttal that you're looking for :)
Hope that helps :)
-
I'm thinking of doing the Murray Darling Basin, but not really sure what to focus on exactly.
-
I'm considering doing something relating to Australia two-speed economy. On how economists are decieving us about the overall performance of the Australian Economy.
-
Im doing the Qantas issue, as I'd been following it as it progressed out of pure interest, and am hoping I can use my knowledge of the issue perhaps in BM some time this year.
-
Doesn't at all matter what you pick and what evidence you use, so long as you ace the presentation.
^^^ totally agree with that! we did a practice oral before the actual one last year....
my practice one was on the st kilda schoolgirl.... and my actual one was on violence in the media and its effect on kids and their wellbeing.... not entirely intellectual topics at all, but i had more than my 2 cents to say about both of them.. i worked in all my linguistic devices and scored top marks so it comes to show that you work with what you've got... tweak your language to PERSUADE your audience, wow your teacher and DOMINATE the SAC!
-
hey guys what are your suggestions on my 3 topics?
ive been thinking between:
- the Qantas issue
- the issue between public and private schools
- Should Asylum Seekers be put into detention centres
but im just not sure which one would provide stronger arguments? and provide a range of resources?
Also, could someone clarify rebuttals and counter arguments in my oral? im unsure if i use them in each paragraph?
Thanks Again! Any helpw ould be great.
Is your oral on any discussion topic or on one that is currently a contentious issue? If the latter, then I would steer clear of public vs private schools, as that has been going on for the last few decades if not longer.
Personally, I'd go with the QANTAS issue, simply because it is very contentious and there are many media resources. Furthermore, it is much simpler than the asylum seeker topic, which has many sides to it and might be a bit more complicated to find a solid contention.
http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/qantas-strikes-to-hit-10000-passengers-today/story-e6frfq80-1226178947905
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/qantas-strikes-deal-with-engineers/story-fn7j19iv-1226226178532
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/alan-joyce-termination-of-qantas-strikes-only-option/story-e6freuzi-1226180671376
http://www.cnngo.com/sydney/visit/qantas-dispute-strikes-heart-australian-aviations-future-035611
It might be also worthwhile reading any comments that follow those articles, as that might provide some of the stronger opinions/rebuttal that you're looking for :)
Hope that helps :)
Thanks! Im just a bit unsure for this year 12 oral sac on how to present it. Do we need to have the for and against points or is it what side we are taking? and where do we incorporate the rebuttals and counter arguments?
For the Qantas issue are there many for and against articles? because for the asylum seeker issue i have a lot for against but not so much for..and im worried its an issue many students will be doing. therefore, if there are both equal arguments for the qantas issue i think itll be a great one for me.
Any suggestions on helping me begin this? thank you in advance!
-
My school also did a practice oral sac last year. What i found was that the higher marks last year all took on personas. For example, last year my speech was about Julian Assange and wikileaks. I took on the persona of being Julian Assange's lawyer at a press conference who answered various questions from reporters (i used various accents to distinguish between the laywer and the reporters). This just keeps the audience and the assesor more interested. However, I would recommend that you just write your speech first and be happy with that before trying to be creative in your presentation. After all the content still has to be good.
-
Love mihir94's approach! and yes definitely write up at least a rough outline of what you're trying to say before you start getting too creative!
In terms of how you weave the arguments in, its best to pick a side but at the very least acknowledge the opposing views but clearly spell out why your argument is far superior!
-
Funny, I did my presentation on Wikileaks and presented my piece as more of a lawyer making a case for Wikileaks before a jury. I had a powerpoint I vaguely made reference to and even was so theatrical so as to throw my notes on the ground and declare, "I do not need to baffle you by prattling on, but to tell you honestly why Wikileaks is important to society." It was an ad lib speech with no practise and I only had a few dot points. I scored nearly full marks, but was deducted 1 mark for going over time by 10 seconds - I was lengthy despite promising my audience from the onset I would not be. I think I entertained them enough so as not to worry them. ;D
Yes, the two assessing teachers were pedants.
-
how many words should this oral sac be if it must last for only 5 minutes? but have 3 paragraphs?? pleasee help :(
-
how many words should this oral sac be if it must last for only 5 minutes? but have 3 paragraphs?? pleasee help :(
If you articulate well and make your points effectively, 800 - 1,000 words should be fine. Please do not read verbatim off of the sheet though.
-
so about 100 for introduction, 200 for body and 100 for conclusion?
definitly wont be reading off sheet :p
-
also for 'should asylum seekers be put in detention centres' what is everyones opinion? a lot of articles have been against it e.g. attempts to suicide etc
-
so about 100 for introduction, 200 for body and 100 for conclusion?
definitly wont be reading off sheet :p
For each body? Or else you just have 400 words.
also for 'should asylum seekers be put in detention centres' what is everyones opinion? a lot of articles have been against it e.g. attempts to suicide etc
I think they should be put into quarantine and processed accordingly, but the delays that our system has is ridiculous. The conditions are poor in some circumstances and the psychiatric/psychological assistance offered to asylum seekers is poor. Anti-depressants are readily distributed unnecessarily and the detention of children is unfathomably absurd.
Look up the delays of processing in asylum seekers around the world.
-
I was thinking the same thing..i was thinking my contention is that they shouldnt be put in detention centre..
have you heard of the cartoon of christmas island by mark knight? would it be appropriate to include that in my argument?
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/mark-knight/story-fn6bn88w-1226024639210
-
I was thinking the same thing..i was thinking my contention is that they shouldnt be put in detention centre..
have you heard of the cartoon of christmas island by mark knight? would it be appropriate to include that in my argument?
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/mark-knight/story-fn6bn88w-1226024639210
Sorry for the belated reply. I had to go and fit some special matting down for my grandmother on her back patio. Make it less slippery!
Well, that cartoon is good, but it is trying to draw in sympathy for the Christmas Islanders and paints the asylum seekers as some vicious malcontents. So, what are you arguing? Are you arguing that we should have asylum seekers detained for as little amount of time possible in humane conditions as they are processed, or to continue the current model? I am a little thrown by that image where you stand now lol
EDIT: hello_kitty, I have responded to your private message. I hope the information contained is of use and you are most welcome to continue that private messaging if you need more assistance. :)
-
Ahh, I don't know what issue to choose!
Are there any good recent ones about animals?
-
There's whaling of course, it's been in the news again this past week.
-
Hmm, I was thinking about that, however, the news about whaling is to do with the 3 people boarding that ship...
Do you think it would still be ok to talk about the whaling issue?
-
Hmm, I was thinking about that, however, the news about whaling is to do with the 3 people boarding that ship...
Do you think it would still be ok to talk about the whaling issue?
You could use that as your central focus while also talking about the broader issue of Australia's stance of Japanese whaling perhaps.
-
I am thinking of speaking about the Australian government decision to allow the sale of Uranium to India.
I am predominately going to argue against it, as India have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty.
There is plenty of material, but I;m unsure as to the most effective way to present it.
Should I take on a persona? maybe as an Australian nuclear physicist warning the public about the potential dangers of a nuclear fallout etc. it would be effective in evoking a sense of fear and so-on.
Any ideas..?
-
definitely suggest going without notes.... i memorised what i wanted to say so that i wasn't focused on what was going to come next but could use heaps of emphasis on articulation so i was very clear, tone of voice, pauses and intonation. it certainly added a level of drama... getting to the point of memorising everything so well helps so much that you start actually listening to what you are saying -because no matter how many times you've said something in front of the mirror, you need to get your audience tuned in with one chance- and convince YOURSELF with your oral!
-
I memorised mine, but I like having notes (ie. cue cards) as a safe back-up. The last thing you want is to forget where you are half-way with no-where to go even though you've memorised it :(
-
I memorised mine, but I like having notes (ie. cue cards) as a safe back-up. The last thing you want is to forget where you are half-way with no-where to go even though you've memorised it :(
Probably good to have them on hand. I saw some people just forget entire points in their speeches that they said they would cover at the start.
-
Alternatively, you can use a lectern or if not use a music stand... it makes your speech look more professional.. chuck on a suit as well ;)
-
Alternatively, you can use a lectern or if not use a music stand... it makes your speech look more professional.. chuck on a suit as well ;)
that's what we did.... but coz there was only 1 other kid in my class who did it without notes i decided to give it a crack, it says a lot! and dw about memorising, you'll know it like the back of your hand if you say it often enough!
-
Im already half way through my oral about 'should asylum seekers be put in detention' however im a bit worried atm as im not sure if im able to as the issue has to be after September 2011, would you all say that this issue has still been going on and its okay to do it?
Some of my articles have been recent as in after sep 2011, some havent so im a bit confused :/
-
I think the issue has to have been in the Australian media since September 2011, so as long as you can find sufficient media resources dated since then, you should be fine.
-
We don't do our oral until we finish Year Of Wonders haha...but I think we get given a topic. Umm if you stuff up the speech and get an average/below average mark does it mean much?? Like I haven't done a speech since year 9 and I know it' going to be terrible :(
-
This is what hala_madrid said:
And at the end of the day, if you have a decent cohort it really does not matter at all how you go on the oral, so don't stress too much guys. I got a C+, and a C on a unit 4 sac and got a 47. My friend also got a C+ for the oral and a B in the same unit, and got a 50. Others got A+ and didnt crack 40, so my point is the oral is a farce
-
This SAC will probably be the hardest for me all year, I absolutely loathe speaking in front of the class.
Do all schools do an oral SAC ?
-
This SAC will probably be the hardest for me all year, I absolutely loathe speaking in front of the class.
Do all schools do an oral SAC ?
I think all schools do unless you do vcal or IB etc.
Yeah I used to hate speaking in front of the class, but then with the conglomeration of a few tactics I managed to overcome it and now it doesn't bother me at all.
The most important aspects for me were:
Confidence, confidence, confidence. Just convince yourself that you are going to do well. If you've picked a topic that you like or can speak passionately about, then convincing yourself should be easy. Convincing yourself is really the key there, if you panic now and say that you don't like speaking in front of the class then that mindframe will rub off on you when you actually present. Even what you just typed has the power to impact on the way you feel about presenting. If this sounds like crap... I used to hate maths in about year 8-9, I thought it was a useless, boring subject. Then I conducted a thought experiment on myself... I kept telling myself that maths is interesting, useful and enjoyable until that became reality. I know it seems a bit weird but, well... look at the subjects I am doing this year :D
Also, your depth of knowledge is paramount... don't just learn what you are going to talk about, get some insight into further/related issues/topics. It will help you formulate your speech and make it flow nicely.
-
im doing my oral on death penatly i want to do a point of view speech but take on a persona. but dont know who i should take on. Im being for death penalty i know it sounds cruel . But would love any help please
-
This SAC will probably be the hardest for me all year, I absolutely loathe speaking in front of the class.
Do all schools do an oral SAC ?
I think all schools do unless you do vcal or IB etc.
In IB their are two Oral assessments. One which goes for 15 minute of length and another in which you only have 20 minutes to prepare for that has to go for at least 15 minutes.
-
This SAC will probably be the hardest for me all year, I absolutely loathe speaking in front of the class.
Do all schools do an oral SAC ?
I think all schools do unless you do vcal or IB etc.
In IB their are two Oral assessments. One which goes for 15 minute of length and another in which you only have 20 minutes to prepare for that has to go for at least 15 minutes.
Yeah it makes our oral seem quite facile...
-
What about armed protective officers at train stations? or is that a bit out of date?
-
What about armed protective officers at train stations? or is that a bit out of date?
Has it actually happened or has ted ballieu cut it like all his other promises ?
-
would wikileaks be a viable topic?
-
would wikileaks be a viable topic?
definitely
-
Do Gay marriage. There is alot on it on the internet, as well as a whole topic in Rants and debates, where you can look through for people's opposing opinions and why they have them
-
You guys are lucky that you are doing the oral on a media issue, we are forced to do it on Year of Wonders.. which is a joke since it doesn't give us the freedom to choose something which we want to do it thus be more enthusiastic about the issue, it's pure totalitarianism really, I don't see why the majority of schools give the freedom and choice to students to choose what issues they want while other students from other schools are forced to do it on a topic which has very little resources.. I'm definitely stressing out.
Has anyone here done the oral presentation on Year of Wonders.. or another text?
-
What type of style are you guys taking with your oral presentations? I think it differs from school to school how you do it. At ours, we're supposed to do it in a very 1st speaker debate-esque fashion. Never thought about impersonating a scientist.