I want to re-design my room: If you can convince your parents, you can convince anyone!! (Persuasive writing)

A major problem in writing a persuasive text is working out the arguments of the “other side”  and responding to those arguments. The following class task will help you see the need to work out the other point of view before writing any argument.

You are older now and your room is not as wonderful as it once was.  It is time to try convince your parents to let you re-design your room.

When you go to ask them they reply:

NO! 

and give you the following objections:

1. It’s too expensive.
2. You never even clean your room anyway; why re-design if it just going to be messy?
3. You already spend too much time there.  We only see you at meals as it is now.
4. or You never spend any time in your room; why should we bother?
5. Your brother (sister) is going to feel left out.  We can’t start redecorating everyone’s room.
6. Your taste in interior decoration is questionable.  We can’t paint ceilings and walls in school colours or indulge in other such fads. :)
7. I’ll end up doing all the work.  I don’t have the time or the energy.
8. It’ll cost too much.
9. I said “No!”

Task A: Write a persuasion (exposition) that will convince your parents to change their mind.

The audience for your persuasion are your parents - an audience opposed to what you have to say. You must use direct speech and powerful words, though respectful and appropriate, to convince them of your side of the issue. This is done by providing arguments against the 9 objections from your parents. You may find it difficult to convince them on all nine objections, just do your best (8 out of 9 objections could still convince your parents to say yes).

Structure:
  Title: I want to re-design my room
  Position: (outlines the issue and your point of view)
[
  Argument: ..... because(reason) ......
[
  Argument: ..... because(reason) ......
[
  Argument: ..... because(reason) ......
[
  Argument: ..... because(reason) ......
[
  Conclusion: (restating position and main arguements)

Words that you could use in your persuasion:

• sale  
• special  
• professional  
• improved  
• discount  
• affordable  
• important  
• quality  
• guaranteed  
• value  
• bargain  
• sensational  
• reduced  
• better

Task B: Create a plan of how your new room will look.

Use an iPad to get some ideas

Reminder: Speech

This is a reminder that your speech is due on Monday 7th September (Week 9)

One person will be chosen to represent the class at the Grade Public Speaking Final. The student chosen will compete using the same speech given in class. One winner will be chosen by an independent adjudicator to win the competition.

Competition audience will only be students in Year 3 and Year 4 and parents of the competitors are invited to attend these finals.

Tips

What makes an excellent speech?

• Matter – Well structured –content that is unique and interesting for the audience. Speakers should refer to palm cards, and not just read the content.

• Manner – good use of voice (articulation, volume, pausing, pace), good posture, gestures and eye contact. The speaker’s voice should be relaxed without being exaggerated.

• Method – well-practised in presenting (rehearsed). Speeches need to have a clear introduction, middle and conclusion. Don't introduce yourself or thank your audience. Good introductions and conclusions are memorable, effective and original.

Visual aids, costumes or props are not permitted.

Surfing Scientist

The Surfing Scientist is really Ruben Meerman and this is a picture of him with his latest love — Black Betty!

Ruben takes liquid nitrogen, balloons and the laws of physics and does science shows for kids at schools in NSW and QLD (and hopefully soon in other states).

He has an arsenal of science tricks up his sleeve - check out the tricks

Can you work out whose image is on the screen with the heat sensitive camera?

Australian Festivals

Australia is a wonderful country with a fantastic range of things to do. The 6 states and 2 territories of Australia encompass many hundreds of towns and cities. Knowing when and where special events take place can help you plan your Australian Adventure!

Quest: Which are the most fun and interesting festivals in Australia?

You will work with a partner and together be given one state or territory in Australia. Your task is to research the festivals of that state/territory. 

Teacher assigned:
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

• http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/festivals-in-australia
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_festivals_in_Australia

Task 1
Read about the different festivals in your state/territory (see links above). When you have decided which one you think is the most interesting, fun and exciting, take notes and answer the following information:

1. What is the name of the festival?
2. Where is it?
3. When is it?
4. How long does it go for?
5. What's it about?
6. What can you do there?
7. How much do events cost?
8. Any other interesting or helpful facts?

9. WHY DO YOU THINK THIS FESTIVAL IS THE BEST? (blurb)

Task 2 - Spiel

Are you and your partner convinced that you have found the best festival in your state/territory? If so, congratulations! Maybe you are already planning a trip to attend! Discuss with your partner how you will convince your classmates that it is indeed the most interesting, fun and exciting festival. Write a 1 minute spiel that will persuade the audience.

Task 3
You have all learned about different Aussie festivals. You are going to share this information with your classmates. On top of this, you are going to try to convince them that YOUR chosen festival is THE ABSOLUTE BEST and that we should all attend!

You and your partner will now make a poster and a brochure to advertise your fantastic festival.The poster should provide all important details (such as when and where the festival is held and what it's all about) and help convince us that your festival is indeed the best! The brochure should be a tri-fold brochure that provides more in depth information about the festival. 

Extension
When all other tasks are complete you should make flyers, signs, show bags that will help convince us that yours is the absolute best Australian Festival.

A FESTIVAL EXPO will be held to determine which festival we should attend together!

Conclusion
Have you found a festival that you would like to attend? Somewhere new that you would like to go to? Maybe there are many new places and events that you will now need to fit into your time travelling around Australia! Happy planning! Good luck and have fun!

Speech: People who have made the world a better place

Choose one of the following people, or another suitable person (ask first), to write a 3 minute speech about. Your speech should include information about the person and how they have made the world a better place.

DUE:  Monday 7th September (Week 9)

Australian

Eddie Mabo

Mary MacKillop

Andrew "Banjo" Paterson

Fred Hollows

International 

Mahatma Gandhi

Nelson Mandela

Martin Luther King

The Dalai Lama

Mother Teresa

Catherine the Great

Helen Keller

Florence Nightingale

Malala Yousafzai

Hu Jintao

Genghis Khan

Che Guevara

David Attenborough

Desmond Tutu

You can also look for people on lists like this:

• http://twistedsifter.com/2013/12/10-people-who-made-the-world-a-better-place/

•  http://www.ranker.com/list/people-who-made-the-world-a-better-place/josh-heller
• http://www.biographyonline.net/people/people-who-made-a-difference.html 

 __________________________________________

How your speech will be marked (Rubric - 20 Points)

Time- Limit

• 4 Points: Presentation is close to 3 minutes long.
• 3 Points: Presentation is under 3 minutes long.
• 2 Points: Presentation is 2 or 4 minutes long.
• 1 Point: Presentation is less than 2 minutes OR more than 4 minutes.

Volume and Speaks Clearly

• 4 Points: Volumes is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation. Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) of the time, and mispronounces no words.
• 3 Points: Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time. Speaks clearly and distinctly most (100-95%) of the time, but mispronounces one word.
• 2 Points: Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time. Speaks clearly and distinctly most (94-85%) of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.
• 1 Point: Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members. Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.

Posture and Eye Contact

• 4 Points: Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.
• 3 Points: Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.
• 2 Points: Sometimes stands up straight and establishes eye contact.
• 1 Point: Slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation.

Stays on Topic

• 4 Points: Stays on topic all (100%) of the time.
• 3 Points: Stays on topic most (99-90%) of the time.
• 2 Points: Stays on topic some (89-75%) of the time.
• 1 Point: It was hard to tell what the topic was.

Content

• 4 Points: Shows full understanding of the topic.
• 3 Points: Has a good understanding of the topic.
• 2 Points: Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.
• 1 Point: Does not seem to understand the topic very well.