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Nobel Speech
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Al Gore's Nobel Speech
Ms. McCormick's 7th Grade
Persuasive Techniques
Al Gore's Nobel Speech
The Nobel Peace Prize is an award given to people that put extraordinary work into achieving world peace. Former VP Al Gore won in 2007 for his work on climate change.
Reading & Annotation
Analyze particular phrases
Key annotations
Literary Elements
- Annotate the words in paragraph 7 that indicate the two different futures to which Gore refers.
- Why might Gore have chosen this quote to show the two different futures facing society?
- What effect of the inclusion of this quote have on the reader?
Text & Ideas
"Life or death, blessings or curses."
I think that Gore might have chosen the quotation to emphasize how serious this problem is. This makes me think about the importance and urgency of this issue. Gore is saying that this is a matter of life and death.
Paragraph 15 - "web of life"
Why do you think Gore chose this particular phrase? How does Gore's use of this phrase make his speech more powerful?
I think Gore chose this phrase because it includes all living things. Again, Gore is emphasizing how big the problem of climate change is. For me, Gore's use of this phrase make his speech more powerful because it says that everything on Earth is being affected by climate change and we are in danger of hurting all life on our planet.
Paragraph 34
Analyze a Quote
- Annotate the quotation in paragraph 34
- Why does Gore use this quotation?
- What effect does this quotation have on the reader?
Text & Ideas
"If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
I think Gore uses this quotation to emphasize the idea that everyone on Earth must work together to deal with global warming. The quotation gives me a sense of increased urgency because it conveys the idea that global warming is too big a problem for individual people to solve. It will take everyone on the planet to deal with it.
Paragraph 56
Emphasis
- Annotate the word that Gore emphasizes in paragraph 56.
- Why does Gore emphasize this word?
- How does this word in italics make Gore's point stronger?
Text & Ideas
"will"
I think Al Gore emphasizes this word to drive home the point that future generations are going to demand an answer from us. For me, these italics make Gore's point stronger because they make it clear that we will not be able to avoid having to answer this question. That makes it all the more important that we do something about global warming, so our answer will be a good one.
Assignments
To do to complete the assignment:
- Close Read "Nobel Speech"
- Annotate for persuasive techniques used in the speech
- Complete the Comprehension Check
SHort Response questions
Text Dependent Questions
Question # 1
Question #1.(a)
What are two central ideas, or overall messages, in Al Gore’s Nobel Speech? Use details from the speech to explain how Gore develops these ideas over the course of the speech.
(b) Write an objective summary of the Nobel Speech. Your summary should include main ideas but not personal opinions or judgments. Remember to include the author and title of the text in your summary.
Question 1.a.
One of the central ideas in Gore’s speech is to express the seriousness of the results of climate change. He refers to climate change as a “planetary emergency.” Several times, he compares battling climate change to waging a war. Another central idea is that, although humans have contributed to climate change, we have the power and resources to fight it. Gore says that in one day we contribute “70 million tons of global-warming pollution into the thin shell of atmosphere surrounding our planet.” He then explains what people and governments can do to help reverse the effects of climate change. He says that heads of state should “take personal responsibility for addressing this crisis” and that “we need to put a price on carbon.”
2. (a) Reread paragraph 15 of Gore’s Nobel Speech. What details does Gore give
about the effects of climate change? CIte at least two pieces of textual evidence.
(b) What inference can you make about climate change based on the details given
in paragraph 15 of the Nobel Speech? Support your inference using both
details from the paragraph and your background knowledge.
#2
#2A
Question 2A
In paragraph 15, Gore describes some specific events related to climate change that have happened across the planet in the past few years, and he explains how they affect all the earth’s inhabitants. He mentions that major cities on different continents are almost out of water “due to massive droughts and melting glaciers.” Some people will need to evacuate their homes to escape flooding. Because people will have to leave the homes they have known forever, they will be in unfamiliar cultures that will then increase “the potential for conflict.” People such as farmers are losing their jobs, and other people are dying from fires and floods.
#2B
Question 2B
Because Gore mentions so many different areas of the world, I can infer that climate change is truly a global problem and not limited to certain areas. He talks about cities on four continents—North America, South America, Asia, and Australia—that are already being affected. Two very different areas of the world, the “frozen Arctic” and “low-lying Pacific islands,” are facing the same problem in that their residents will need to evacuate. This emphasizes the seriousness of the problem.
#3
3.Reread paragraphs 38-41 of the Nobel Speech. According to Gore, how did the events of World War II influence his passion to protect the environment? Use relevant details from the text to support your response.
Question #3
#3
Previously in the speech, Gore compared fighting against climate change to fighting a war, and in these paragraphs, he strengthens the comparison. He mentions a man from his hometown, Cordell Hull, who previously won the Peace Prize and who was described as the “Father of the United Nations” after World War II. Gore says that Hull’s generation had the “moral authority and long-term vision” to facilitate “the emergence of democracy and prosperity in Germany, Japan, and Italy.” The courage and the foresight shown by Hull and others of his time inspire Gore to believe that “so too can we find our greatest opportunity in rising to solve the climate crisis.” He describes our need to “gain the moral authority and vision,” just as members of Hull’s generation did.
4.(a) In paragraph 54 of the Nobel Speech, Gore says that “we are standing at the
most fateful fork in that path.” Explain what he means by this metaphor.
How do these words impact your understanding of the author’s purpose?
(b) How does this use of the figurative language “fateful fork” affect the tone of the Nobel Speech? Use details from the text to support your response.
#4
Question #4A
#4A
Gore is using a metaphor to compare the decision on whether or not to act against climate change to a fork in a road. This use of figurative language helps us understand his purpose by showing that he is asking us to make a decision, or choose a path. One path would be to do nothing, while the other path would be to take action to reverse climate change. His purpose is to encourage people to take the path of action. By using this language, Gore is showing that he believes we have a choice between bad and good.
Question #4B
By using the word fateful with his metaphor, Gore is conveying a serious tone. This word tells us that whichever path we choose to take will have consequences far into the future. But the language also gives the speech a hopeful tone because it means that if we do take the path towards fighting climate change, we will be able to reverse some of its effects.
#4B
5. Identify the key claim that Gore makes in his Nobel Speech. Explain the details that he uses to support this argument. Then, determine whether the reasoning for his claim is sound and if there is sufficient evidence to support it.
Use these guidelines in your writing or discussion.
• Identify the author’s key claim, or argument, in his speech.
• Look for details that the author uses to support this argument.
• Are all the details given relevant to his argument?
• After reading the text, think about whether the author has convinced you to agree with his argument.
#5 - Mini Essay
Assignments
To do to study text dependent questions
1. Complete the Short Response Questions we discussed today
2. Complete the Analyze the Text questions on page 382 from the textbook
Latin prefix uni-
Words like:
- University
- Unity
- Union
-Universal
-Unicycle
-Unified
Concept Vocabulary & Word Study
Vocabulary Terms
* Crisis
* Pollution
* Urgency
*Universal
* Illusion
* Environment
ASSIGNMENTS
What to do to study your vocabulary
1. Page 384 from the textbook
2. All three vocabulary worksheets
Analyze Craft & Structure - Persuasive Speech
Appeals to emotion
Appeals to Authority
Appeals to authority
This persuasive technique uses the statements of experts and well-known people to convince the reader.
- Examples include using the work of doctors or scientists, citing texts written by authorities, or well-known documents (like the Constitution).
- Can be used to push a false argument, so be careful to examine WHO the source is.
Appeals to Emotion
This persuasive technique uses words that convey strong emotions to convince the reader.
EXAMPLES include inspiring the reader to feel sad or upset about a topic in order to convince them. Imagine all of those commercials that show people helping each other, then try to sell you insurance or a Toyota. Another example is those commercials that show the abused animals with sad music to get you to donate money.
Appeals to Reason
Appeals to reason
These persuasive techniques use logical arguments backed by facts to convince the reader.
Examples include arguments that include several facts and make sense. For example, we can improve our grades if we complete the classwork. This is proven by the fact that students doing their work are learning more as evidenced by their test scores going up.
Assignments
To Do to Study your structure lesson:
1. Complete page 383 from the textbook.
2. Analyze Craft & Structure handouts
Infinitive Phrases
Assignments
To do to study your conventions lesson on Infinitive & Gerund phrases
3
2
1
Complete page 385 from the textbook
Complete the practice handouts
Make sure you know the difference between infinitive & Gerund phrases
Writing to Sources
Writing to Sources (pg. 392-397 from the textbook)
Use the knowledge that you have gained from Silent Spring and Al Gore's Nobel Speech to write an argument in which you take a position on the following question:
DO PEOPLE HAVE A MORE POSITIVE IMPACT OR A MORE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT?
This is an essay, therefore this assignment requires 5 paragraph minimum, a clearly defined claim, and evidence from both readings.