ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE English Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English & EAL => Topic started by: Cel126 on January 04, 2013, 10:45:40 pm

Title: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Cel126 on January 04, 2013, 10:45:40 pm
Have you decided or still looking? :)
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Bad Student on January 04, 2013, 11:28:13 pm
I haven't made up my mind yet, but I'm deciding between climate change, asylum seekers, carbon tax, gun control, gay marriage and the pension.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: michak on January 04, 2013, 11:36:25 pm
I haven't made up my mind yet, but I'm deciding between climate change, asylum seekers, carbon tax, gun control, gay marriage and the pension.

Do the pension it seems like a pretty good topic to do, based on current events in the news. Also had heard (but not entirely sure if true) that immigrants and the like get more money than people on the pension. I could defs find arguments to talk about there.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: jazza97 on January 04, 2013, 11:43:58 pm
Man, everyone is doing boring topics!  why not Julian Assange/Bradley Manning, why not Julia Gillard's misogynist speech, why not the witch hunts in some exotic African country or the drug warfare in Cuba?

In all seriousness though, so many people in your class will do carbon tax, asylum seekers etc..Unless your speech is exemplary, your teacher will get tired of hearing the same shit over and over again.

Stand out a little, look a bit left field and you will find that you actually become interested in what you are researching rather than 'asylum seekers have rights too' and 'julia gillard lied about the carbon tax'
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Bad Student on January 04, 2013, 11:51:40 pm
I was originally intending to write a speech on a more obscure topic but when I started doing the research, I just found it too difficult to gather enough information.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: michak on January 05, 2013, 12:00:09 am
I was originally intending to write a speech on a more obscure topic but when I started doing the research, I just found it too difficult to gather enough information.

What was the topic anyway? maybe we can help :)
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: jazza97 on January 05, 2013, 12:06:08 am
What about the U.S election system...i mean the Obama and Romney spent 900 million each on the campaign.  Pretty shocking.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Bad Student on January 05, 2013, 12:12:19 am
What was the topic anyway? maybe we can help :)

I was thinking of talking about the Australian Vaccination Network and the increase in the number of "consciencious objectors".

http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/whooping-cough-epidemic-as-state-records-highest-numbers-20121217-2bjbw.html
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/minister-orders-anti-vaccination-group-to-change-its-name/story-e6frf7kx-1226537155195

Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: simba on January 05, 2013, 12:14:29 am
I'm doing mine on factory farming
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Bad Student on January 05, 2013, 12:15:37 am
What about the U.S election system...i mean the Obama and Romney spent 900 million each on the campaign.  Pretty shocking.

WHAT THE !@^#. They could have used that money to pay off some of the $16 trillion debt they have.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: michak on January 05, 2013, 12:16:43 am
I was thinking of talking about the Australian Vaccination Network and the increase in the number of "consciencious objectors".

http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/whooping-cough-epidemic-as-state-records-highest-numbers-20121217-2bjbw.html
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/minister-orders-anti-vaccination-group-to-change-its-name/story-e6frf7kx-1226537155195



Actually sounds pretty good and interesting
what view point were you thinking of taking?

What about the U.S election system...i mean the Obama and Romney spent 900 million each on the campaign.  Pretty shocking.

Seems like another good idea - very easy to find arguments
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: jazza97 on January 05, 2013, 12:19:39 am
WHAT THE !@^#. They could have used that money to pay off some of the $16 trillion debt they have.

there are some differing reports...i've read the above and 2 billion collectively
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Bad Student on January 05, 2013, 12:22:52 am
Actually sounds pretty good and interesting
what view point were you thinking of taking?

Pro-vaccine obviously. You can't dispute the science behind vaccination. The overwhelming majority of studies suggest they are safe and effective.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: michak on January 05, 2013, 12:28:33 am
Pro-vaccine obviously. You can't dispute the science behind vaccination. The overwhelming majority of studies suggest they are safe and effective.

Well there you go you have your contention and alreay 1 idea that can easily be expanded. Cant think of anything right now but will get back to you (to tired lol).
But just remember to acknowledge the other sides view points but you must do it in a way that shows that the peoples reasoning behind not vaccinating their kids is flawed.

I would go with this topic - it seems like something that will also get more attention in the future.

Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: brenden on January 05, 2013, 08:08:52 am
Do the pension it seems like a pretty good topic to do, based on current events in the news. Also had heard (but not entirely sure if true) that immigrants and the like get more money than people on the pension. I could defs find arguments to talk about there.
If unemployed they'd receive 89% of the regular Centrelink benefit (if it's the same as asylum seekers) until citizenship when it's an equal Centrelink benefit and Healthcare card benefits et al. So they wouldn't be getting more than our pensioners unless pensioners are getting paid less than Australians not yet retired that were born here which would be a bit of a worry.

I say just go with what your passionate with in regards to your speech. You will be exemplary if you speak with passion.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Stick on January 05, 2013, 10:45:36 am
My topic was assigned for me and is "Should the advertising of gambling be banned in Australia?".
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: awesomet on January 06, 2013, 11:31:24 pm
I did a speech on the glass ceiling still exists for women last year for my year 11 English. I got full marks, but I don't know if I should do it again. I might try the Jullian Assange case.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: michak on January 07, 2013, 01:25:39 am
I did a speech on the glass ceiling still exists for women last year for my year 11 English. I got full marks, but I don't know if I should do it again. I might try the Jullian Assange case.

Don't do it again because if the teachers remember they may be really harsh and be very picky on your speech and the way you deliver it. Also got to remember that every time you are in a new year level the bar is raise so what might be a A+ in year 11 may not be that in year 12 - which is what my school got told all th time.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Smiley_ on January 07, 2013, 02:05:43 pm
I did a speech on the glass ceiling still exists for women last year for my year 11 English. I got full marks, but I don't know if I should do it again. I might try the Jullian Assange case.

our teachers told us to edit and use our speeches!

also if you have a  different teacher then they will not remember !
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: awesomet on January 07, 2013, 09:47:09 pm
Don't do it again because if the teachers remember they may be really harsh and be very picky on your speech and the way you deliver it. Also got to remember that every time you are in a new year level the bar is raise so what might be a A+ in year 11 may not be that in year 12 - which is what my school got told all th time.

our teachers told us to edit and use our speeches!

also if you have a  different teacher then they will not remember !

True, well this year I have a new teacher so it doesn't matter. I don't know I'd probably try a new topic just so it's not boring.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Bad Student on January 07, 2013, 09:53:21 pm
My presentation has to be on an issue which happened after the 1st of september last year, so I have to write a new speech.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: sin0001 on January 07, 2013, 10:13:03 pm
Not sure if doing my oral on Gun Laws (specifically in America) will be a good idea, a lot of people would be doing it as well :)
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: jeanweasley on January 08, 2013, 09:48:34 pm
I'm still undecided. Sigh.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Smiley_ on January 09, 2013, 08:14:01 pm
Are all your speeches being assessed by teachers?
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: EvangelionZeta on January 09, 2013, 09:04:38 pm
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/nicola-roxons-discrimination-laws-draw-flak-from-media/story-e6frg996-1226549911052

Someone do this, please.  It's a brilliant topic.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: jeanweasley on January 12, 2013, 10:14:42 am
Are all your speeches being assessed by teachers?

Yes and sometimes two just for cross marking.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: jeanweasley on January 12, 2013, 10:20:25 am
My topic was assigned for me and is "Should the advertising of gambling be banned in Australia?".

Lucky! I was going to do the issue of radio restrictions following the death of the British nurse but I did not have any sufficient arguments for it. :( I might try the discrimination laws as suggested here in this forum.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: unfamila on January 13, 2013, 11:50:03 am
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/nicola-roxons-discrimination-laws-draw-flak-from-media/story-e6frg996-1226549911052

Someone do this, please.  It's a brilliant topic.
Is there enough information on this though.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: jeanweasley on January 13, 2013, 02:27:31 pm
Is there enough information on this though.

I think you have the basic issue here and you could google more about the discrimination laws but I think the arguments could be censorship and freedom of speech.
You could twist it any way you like, methinks.
Here are some topics I suggest some might try doing: The contention is up to you. You can justify the issue any way you like but I suggest looking at both arguments before deciding.

Is Julian Assange a hero?
Should we have stricter radio restrictions? (Refer to the Australian DJs who pranked a nurse into revealing patient information about the Duchess' condition.)
The effectiveness of the plain packaging of cigarettes
Poker machine reforms
Safe and legal access to abortion
Ensuring humane treatment of factory farmed animals
Ending corporate donations & reducing influence of lobbyists
Constitutional recognition of Indigenous people
Protecting the Murray Darling Basin
The fair treatment of refugees and asylum seekers
Stopping harmful coal seam gas mining practices
Protecting Australian native forests
Investment in renewable energy
The "misogynist" attitude of men in politics (refer to Julia Gillard's speech)
(http://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/generous/vision-2012/vision-2012/)

Hope that helped!
http://education.theage.com.au/cmspage.php?intid=271 -- This has lots of resources as well.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Bad Student on January 13, 2013, 06:26:30 pm
I'm doing the vaccine controversy but someone has pointed out that the benefits of vaccination are already highly established and that presenting the arguments against it would be similar to arguing that the earth is flat.

Would it be advisable to do a topic where the arguments put forward by one side are invalid?
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Smiley_ on January 13, 2013, 06:35:33 pm
I'm doing the vaccine controversy but someone has pointed out that the benefits of vaccination are already highly established and that presenting the arguments against it would be similar to arguing that the earth is flat.

Would it be advisable to do a topic where the arguments put forward by one side are invalid?


teacher said if everyone agrees with you havn't really got an issue
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Bad Student on January 13, 2013, 06:46:23 pm
teacher said if everyone agrees with you havn't really got an issue

Vaccination does have a lot of opponents but their arguments have been shown to be completely untrue. The situation is similar to the climate change debate where 99.9% of scientists believe in climate change but a significantly higher proportion of the general population dismiss it.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Smiley_ on January 13, 2013, 06:57:25 pm
Vaccination does have a lot of opponents but their arguments have been shown to be completely untrue. The situation is similar to the climate change debate where 99.9% of scientists believe in climate change but a significantly higher proportion of the general population dismiss it.

i dont really know much on the issue

im just telling you what my teacher told me

just do whatever you think is right!
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: Bad Student on January 13, 2013, 07:02:07 pm
But I'm not capable of thinking for myself!!!
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: michelle1234 on January 17, 2013, 12:02:30 am
What do people think about doing homelessness in Australia? I'm not one that's into politics and the government etc and have dug up substantial amount of articles on it!
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: McFleurry on January 17, 2013, 12:38:36 am
That's not a bad topic: there's been some stuff going on recently about that. Just have a good contention for it and you should be fine.
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: jeanweasley on January 17, 2013, 07:15:08 am
That's not a bad topic: there's been some stuff going on recently about that. Just have a good contention for it and you should be fine.

Yeah, I agree. It's the way you handle the topic that can add depth to it. For example, you can consider the factors that lead to homelessness and current government schemes that intend to help the homeless. Then you can use that and criticise if they are effective/ineffective and provide measures to ensure that they are or will be. You can also say the effect of homelessness on society etc. Let us know how you do it! Good luck :D
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: sunintherain on January 21, 2013, 07:30:11 pm
i'm doing asylum seekers, i know its an overused topic but I feel very passionate about this issue, which i why i'm doing it. I'll feel better if I argue for a cause i truly believe in (that asylum seekers deserve more rights)
Title: Re: What topic have you decided on for your oral?
Post by: michak on January 21, 2013, 07:55:23 pm
i'm doing asylum seekers, i know its an overused topic but I feel very passionate about this issue, which i why i'm doing it. I'll feel better if I argue for a cause i truly believe in (that asylum seekers deserve more rights)

well if you are really passionate that will make your oral so much better already because i doubt many people who do the topic are passionate about it.

Good luck  :D