http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427309/quotes?qt0431970
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427309/quotes?qt0431973
Review the closing arguments (Rebuttal Speeches, not constructives per parli debate guidelines) from the film we watched in class by clicking the links above. Then choose one or the other for this blog response. Did you select Samantha's or James's speech? Tell us why you find the speech moving of effective. What type of appeals are used? What language choices make the short speeches persuasive? What aspects of delivery made the speeches persuasive when presented by the actors? Isn't it disturbing to reflect back on all of the closed-minded thinking that the team had to challenge just to get to the point that different races could sit on the same stage to debate? I hope the film instills a level of admiration for debate as a tool of change! Remember that our midterm will be based on aspectsof this film. Happy Presidents' Day Holiday everyone, keep up the great work in class--Smiles--Sandra
21 comments:
The speech that I chose was James, as it found it very moving as well as effective. James seemed to use an emotional appeal when he said: “We drove through a lynch mob, pressed our faces against the “floorboard. I looked at my teammates. I saw the fear in their eyes and, worse, the shame’; He was trying to convey to the audience, the struggle that African-Americans deal with each day in the South, and hope that they will survive. I liked that way the James was able to speak so well , on a very touchy subject as he did with grace and poise; There opponents who debated against them were not only small minded, but didn’t even take into account the racism that faces James, and his fellow classmates which I found to be shocking. Dimo Katabe
I selected Samantha's speech, because although James appealed to his audience with moving personal testimony, I still found Samantha's speech to be more passionate, relevant, and inspiring. Her use of repetitive language and annunciation were overwhelming while watching the movie and almost had me tearing up. The inequality she addresses and the points of her opponents that she tears down in the process brought out emotion in her, which in turn brought out the emotions of her audience. Seeing speeches like this one given by Samantha make me more interested in debate and give me the desire to become better.
Melissa Leonard
Of the two closing arguments, I believe Jame's speech was much more effective. It moved away from the debate of Morality vs Law and is grounded on the reality of what is really happenning, not philosophy. The way James ended his speech is what I believe won them the debate. He reminded everyone that the alternative to civil obedience is violence when people are close to the point where they have little to lose.
I do not think their opponents were small minded or anything, the side that you are selected to debate for is not necessarily the side that you agree with. It would not be wise to bring up a point where it would help your opponent's arguement moreso than your own, or one that you can not refute.
King Xiong
Good ideas King--I agree, don't play your low cards! These comments are insightful! I like Samantha's speaking style when she gets all riled up about Blacks attending white colleges: The time is always ALWAYS right now for equality!!!! S
I chose James's speech. I thought he used a lot of emotional appeals. His language choices made his message applicable to almost anyone, being that he used words everyone could understand, and powerful words at that. He used inflection in all the right places. He was believeable because he had seen the atrocities of racist hatred firsthand, so he was able to deliver a very persuasive speech. I am glas that I live in a time when I can have access to all races in order to broaden my understanding of the human race and the human experience. Diversity is beneficial to all.
I selected Samantha's speech, I found her speaking style, annunciation and passion to be inspiring and moving. When she spoke the words that the time is always now for equality could be implied to the gay rights movement that is occurring today, her speech was timeless. Her ability to show her own emotion while still staying composed helped the audience relate to her, understand her points and actually listen to what she was saying. You cannot just speak like a robot and expect to win. Her passion definitely made the speech.
-Melissa Barger
I chose James’ speech because I thought that it really gave a reason to show how civil disobedience is moral. He gives multiple reasons why black people in the south should have the right of civil disobedience. He brings up the fact that African Americans are lynched, and denied housing, schooling and hospitals. I feel like his speech was just as topical as Samantha’s speech was, but it was more effective because of the emotional personal story. He definitely uses pathos appeals because he is looking for sympathy from the audience. He wants the audience to feel the sadness, the fear, and the shame that African Americans felt daily. His speech was effective because when he talked it sounded like he was really speaking from the heart, not from his notes. And yes of course it is very disturbing that people had to be told not to be so close minded back in those times, but that’s the way it was, and thank god it has changed! I do see debate as a tool of change because in order to change something you usually need the support of others, and to get the support of others you need to be able to persuade them to agree with you.
-Reachel Ramsay
I chose Samantha's speech. I feel her speech was more effective because she's more straight to the point with the change she's affirmative for but at the same time her appeals have a better connection with the audience. Her appeals challenge the viewers' beliefs and values on what they believe is fair and made the connection that if they were in the same shoes waiting for a change how would they feel about waiting. She says "the time for justice, equality, and freedom is always right now" emphasizing to the audience that the priority for doing something right is always needed.
-Raiza Agutos-
I found James' speech to be more effective than Samantha. He explains how he and his teammates witnessed a black man being lynched and yet the men who were doing the lynching were not punished. His speech painted a vivid picture for the audience, a picture that greatly appealed to their emotions. His pathos-based speech, in my opinion, did something that Samantha's speech didn't. It allowed their opponents to really see how blacks are treated and that such laws didn't matter when it came to punishing blacks.
-Ashley Ginn
Eventhough Samantha's speech was very emotional, I thought that James's message was more effective because it brought out a clearer picture of what he wanted the people to see. "What was this Negro's crime that he should be hung without trial in a dark forest filled with fog." This goes to show that there is no law at all because if there was a law then the black man would of got a fair trial.
Ying Vang
I think James' speech was more effective since he used all ethos, logos, and pathos. He threw out quotes from important and credible figures, made claims based on examples from Ghandi, and used a great deal of emotion in his last speech. I think the way he spoke was effective too. He had some brief pauses in his speech that helped him rather than hurt him.
Kavi Lal
I chose James' speech. His was very moving and very powerful. He used his own testimonial to appeal to his audience. He brought out personal emotion and was able to grab the audience and show them the experiences he has to go through. Talking about a negro not getting a trial in a dark forest, really appealed to the audience and they were able to get a more deep understanding of what was going on.
Michael Drummond
I selected Samantha's speech. She was ver passionate, strong, confident, and effective in her closing argument. She started off by introducing facts of the state's educational system. This establishes credibility. She slyly attacks the opponent by indicating that they are ok with segregation and unequality. She then finishes off her speech by appealing to the audiences emotions. She builds up the speech to effectively persuade that change needs to happen now! All of these components made for a tremendous, moving speech.
Adriana Quin
I chose Jame's rebuttle to talk about. his use of rhetorical questions is great and it makes the listener wonder about that person. what makes it even stronger is that he uses a very personal anecdote, the black man being lynched, to help win over the audience with emotional apeal. his final words:
"i have a right, even a duty to resist. with violence or civil disobedience. you should pray i choose the latter".
this gives the audience an ultimatum, i can choose to allow him to civilly not abide by the law, or get my ass beat by some one who doesn't agree with the law. all in all it was a good movie and i enjoyed watching it.
-garrette adams
I chose James' speech. He painted a graphic picture of what is like for a Negro in the South.He reflected in Who is this person you hung in a tree? Who is he important to? What is his contribution to his community? When the laws and opportunities are different with blacks and whites; where are the morals;Where are the laws? he used the appeals of emotion. If terms of the challenges,you have to look at the time period. The time that happened were true to the time period.
I choose james's speech because i felt it more compelling than samantha's and felt it called for more of a move to action. He makes use of great emotional appeals by creating a mental illustration. His use of strong words like strung up and negroes and lynch create what i would imagine to be guilt or embarassment on the part of those who oppose him and create an argument that is hard to ignore or one that may be social taboo to go against.
Nic Romney
i chose james's speech because it was more compelling and no matter what your background was, even back then. it showed how someone's own experiences could persuade people one way or the other.
-neal vickers
The speech I chose was James' speech. I thought it was a beautiful speech and it was very moving to the point where I had tears in my eyes when watching it. It showed a lot of our history in his speech and it was also a personal experience, which I've learned is always best to use when saying a speech. Also, he used a quote from a very reliable source like St.Augustine, which is also a great attention getter. The speech was very persuasive to the crowd because most related to his experience. People in other states knew what was going on in the South and not very many tried to help the Blacks. Also, there was a lot of emotion in his voice when speaking about his experience with seeing a man lynched, which helps the audience to feel his pain. I thought they were all great public speakers, but James did the best job in the end.
I chose Samantha's speech. Her speech was effective because she used an appeals to logic and and value. She is stressing the importance of America as a place for justice, freedom, and equality. if America doesn't do anything about change, then it will never happen. Her language in her short speech uses rhetorical questions. Her voice projected very loudly near the end of her speech to display the importance of fairness and change. During those hard times for colored people. It is very disturbing that they had to see someone lynched and take unlawful arrests and injustices from law enforcement.
I chose Samantha's speech. Her speech was effective because she used an appeals to logic and and value. She is stressing the importance of America as a place for justice, freedom, and equality. if America doesn't do anything about change, then it will never happen. Her language in her short speech uses rhetorical questions. Her voice projected very loudly near the end of her speech to display the importance of fairness and change. During those hard times for colored people. It is very disturbing that they had to see someone lynched and take unlawful arrests and injustices from law enforcement.
Alex Soohoo
I choose James’ speech. I found it very effective. He used personal experiences and he uses questions through out his rebuttal. He also used the aspects of ethos, pathos and logos in his speech. This causes his speech to be stronger. He tells his examples very vividly and you can really see the passion he has.
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