English Oral Discussion 2011 - Topics, Tips and Strategies

[pi]

Here's an interesting topic:
Freedom of Speech vs Hate Speech
To what extent can basic freedoms be regulated to prevent incitement?

lol, I did a prac debate on this earlier this year. Very interesting, not many people know much about 'hate speech'

[Chavi]

My first SAC is actually a Maestro TR. On this topic though, does anyone have any ideas on how I can do my oral on the issue surrounding North Korea and South Korea? I seem to be really interested in the issue due to China's involvement.

NK's dependence on China, the extent of China's involvement in propping up the Kim Jong Il regime, China's lack of cooperation with the west on this issue.

[vea]

My first SAC is actually a Maestro TR. On this topic though, does anyone have any ideas on how I can do my oral on the issue surrounding North Korea and South Korea? I seem to be really interested in the issue due to China's involvement.

NK's dependence on China, the extent of China's involvement in propping up the Kim Jong Il regime, China's lack of cooperation with the west on this issue.

Thanks for the response. For my oral SAC we are required to persuade... I'm not too sure how to go about doing this even with the ideas you have brought up. Am I meant to persuade that NK is bad or something? xD

[Chavi]

My first SAC is actually a Maestro TR. On this topic though, does anyone have any ideas on how I can do my oral on the issue surrounding North Korea and South Korea? I seem to be really interested in the issue due to China's involvement.

NK's dependence on China, the extent of China's involvement in propping up the Kim Jong Il regime, China's lack of cooperation with the west on this issue.

Thanks for the response. For my oral SAC we are required to persuade... I'm not too sure how to go about doing this even with the ideas you have brought up. Am I meant to persuade that NK is bad or something? xD

You can argue the topic:
"It is in China's best interests to propagate communism in NK"
or
"China has little influence on NK"

Argue any side of the topic.

[lexitu]

Big fan of freedom of speech, having dealt with someone who did not believe in it all year.
I can tell my contention would be that the work he is doing is inherently positive and I generally agree with it, I'm not sure how to summarise that into a single sentence, nor if that is even necessary.

Me too. I love what Wikileaks does and hate the treatment they receive from governments.

As for how you frame your argument, I don't think it is too important to come up with some all encompassing statement (although it wouldn't hurt). Orals are pretty different to writing and you need to orient your audience and reiterate ideas in various ways. It's usually good to slowly progress an argument so that you don't lose your audience. But then a nice sentence that delineates your position can bring a lot of clarity too. It's not an absolute necessity though.

Anyway, you have plenty of time to chip away at your oral so I'm sure you'll find the right words for what you want to convey. Share what you have prepared whenever you are ready if you like. Can't wait to read your response

[vea]

My first SAC is actually a Maestro TR. On this topic though, does anyone have any ideas on how I can do my oral on the issue surrounding North Korea and South Korea? I seem to be really interested in the issue due to China's involvement.

NK's dependence on China, the extent of China's involvement in propping up the Kim Jong Il regime, China's lack of cooperation with the west on this issue.

Thanks for the response. For my oral SAC we are required to persuade... I'm not too sure how to go about doing this even with the ideas you have brought up. Am I meant to persuade that NK is bad or something? xD

You can argue the topic:
"It is in China's best interests to propagate communism in NK"
or
"China has little influence on NK"

Argue any side of the topic.

Thanks for your advice!
I hope the issue will still be relevant when I come to do it.

[Chavi]

Me too. I love what Wikileaks does and hate the treatment they receive from governments.

Are you of the opinion that all classified discourse should be available in the public domain?
I sure don't

[burbs]

My first SAC is actually a Maestro TR. On this topic though, does anyone have any ideas on how I can do my oral on the issue surrounding North Korea and South Korea? I seem to be really interested in the issue due to China's involvement.

NK's dependence on China, the extent of China's involvement in propping up the Kim Jong Il regime, China's lack of cooperation with the west on this issue.

Thanks for the response. For my oral SAC we are required to persuade... I'm not too sure how to go about doing this even with the ideas you have brought up. Am I meant to persuade that NK is bad or something? xD

You can argue the topic:
"It is in China's best interests to propagate communism in NK"
or
"China has little influence on NK"

Argue any side of the topic.

Thanks for your advice!
I hope the issue will still be relevant when I come to do it.

I don't know if this is VCAA or MHS, but any issue discussed after 1/12/2010 is allowed.

[Andiio]

Dayummm, my oral sac is term 2 haha. First sac in the 2nd/3rd week is a TR; BOOYAH

[lexitu]

@Chavi - Nope. To be honest, I haven't really investigated this thoroughly enough to have a solid opinion on it. So you are right, not everything should be shared. However, I think that the majority of information should be divulged rather than kept secret. It would have to be really really sensitive.
 
@Burberry - that's MHS.

[pi]

@Burberry - that's MHS.

Really? We were told it was VCAA... Clearly wrong then

[lexitu]

Yes, very wrong. VCAA do not set stringent boundaries for SACs. They set malleable guidelines. The issue just has to be current. It doesn't even have to be an oral, it could be a written opinion piece. The SACs are moulded by the schools, not VCAA.

[24lover]

hey luken,
you might want to be careful because from my knowledge oral topics should be an australian issue? even though he is from australia...it's moreso a 'global problem'.

if anyone thinks otherwise though....

[eeps]

hey luken,
you might want to be careful because from my knowledge oral topics should be an australian issue? even though he is from australia...it's moreso a 'global problem'.

if anyone thinks otherwise though....

I echo the same sentiments. As far as I know, we were told it must be a clear "current Australian issue" - "current" being an issue that has arised in the past 6 months. I don't see a problem with you using it, though I'd just be cautious - as what 24lover said, it's more of a "global" problem - not only affecting Australia, but other countries as well - the obvious one being the US.

[luken93]

Anyone think that Assange's actions/Wikileaks scandal could be used for a persuasive oral?

I was thinking along the lines of the actions that could result from releasing the cables, in that it could spark a feud between countries if one country offends another etc?

Any ideas would be appreciated...