Question

If you had to pick one of these two quotes to expand upon to create a persuasive speech which would you choose? And could you suggest a focus topic for me?

Answer 1

Wendell Berry once said: "There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.” In a persuasive speech, write about the desecration of "a sacred place" in modern society. You may wish to focus on an environmental issue, the disappearance of indigenous cultures, the modern media's attack on religious symbols, or focus on a particularly personal "scared place." In your writing be sure to cite specific examples to support your ideas. Draw conclusions about the implications of the portrayal of the environment in our society. Revise your speech until you are satisfied with it.

Answer 2

Joseph Campbell has said: "The whole world was (once) a sacred place. But our life has become so economic and practical in its orientation that, as you get older, the claims of the moment upon you are so great, you hardly know where the hell you are, or what it is you intended." Write about the demands of a technologically driven world on young people and the pressures that come to bear when our "scared places" no longer exit as we move into adulthood. Is it possible to reclaim these personal and private spaces? What do we need to do?

Answer 3

Personally, I would pick the second one.

Answer 4

The second one seems more relevant to younger students. I remember a time before cell phones. Most students today do not. How do you obtain peace and quiet to focus on whatever it is you'd like to focus on when there is technology always buzzing or beeping around you? (assuming there is such tech around all the time)