FORUM for Online Writing #7

1. Your final speeches are an Informative Speech (a speech to educate us about a particular policy issue related to the theme of ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE) and a Persuasive Speech (a speech to convince us to take action on the policy issue you educated us about.) We will talk about these speeches in more detail during our next class. Be sure to take a look at the assignment descriptions which I haded out in class and is also in the March 30 module on CANVAS.

The final speeches in this class all involve questions of policy about peace. As you know, questions of policy in a persuasive speech ask the speaker to advocate for an appropriate course of action. A question of policy demands societal change in how we live and what we do. And often, it is about collective action, rather than simply an individual choice. As you consider your topics for the final speech what issue of policy has you intrigued. As you consider ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE in ways that demand collective action and social change keep in mind the same policy issue topic will be the foundation of both your informative speech and your persuasive speech.
Use this week to brainstorm ideas for your final speeches. Keep in mind the rules for brainstorming: get all your ideas on the table without judgement, merge ideas, don’t feel you have to completely develop an idea, just get it down.
Brainstorm ideas for your speeches. Post your brain storm of at least ten potential ideas (You’re welcome to post more than ten. . . ) which could form the basis for both an informative and a persuasive speech about a policy issue related to the topic “ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.” Keep in mind, in your brainstorm:
At least three of the ideas you post must look at environmental justice on a global scale.
At least three of those ideas must look at environmental justice on a national scale.
At least three of those ideas must look at environmental justice on a local scale.

Some examples:

TOPIC: Global Warming or Global delusion
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: What is the science behind global warming?
PERSUASIVE SPEECH: Don’t believe everything you read about global environmental catastrophe

TOPIC: Underwater

INFORMATIVE SPEECH: Where the seas will rise

PERSUASIVE SPEECH: Who benefits/who suffers from sea level rise?

TOPIC: Gender and environment
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: Access to birth control globally
PERSUASIVE SPEECH: Only women can save the planet.

TOPIC: Teaching Environment Justice
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: The language of environmentalism
PERSUASIVE SPEECH: How elementary schools can teach about environmental justice

TOPIC: Nuclear weapons development and the environment
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: What is Lawrence Livermore Lab?
PERSUASIVE SPEECH: Lawrence Livermore Lab: Why You NEED to work there

TOPIC: The United Nations
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: The history of the United Nations
PERSUASIVE SPEECH: Three changes to make the United Nations a more powerful advocate for environmental justice

TOPIC: Global Warming and Culture
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: Three cultures’ visions of people and their environment
PERSUASIVE SPEECH: The American flag, Apple Pie, and Environmental justice

TOPIC: Money and the Fossil Fuels
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: What it costs to mine, market, sell, and use fossil fuels
PERSUASIVE SPEECH: Less bang for the buck: How change the financial equation on fossil fuels to protect the environment.

TOPIC: Radiating Justice
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: What have the great impact from radioactive sites and activities?
PERSUASIVE SPEECH: Planned changes in radiation hazard rules target low income communities

Take a look at your brainstorm of potential ideas that you posted and select three that particularly interest you. Write a paragraph on each idea, fleshing out the things about these topics you want to — for the informative speech — learn, share, explain, demonstrate — and for the persuasive speech — convince us of and call us to action.

Which of these three ideas is most compelling to you today?