Year 11 speaking task 2011

Stories

A good story has the power to make us …

laugh

cry

feel proud

or ashamed

or imagine a better life

or a life less fortunate.

Stories can teach us how to be better people …

… or how to live a better life.

Stories can provoke thoughts about …

prejudice

hatred

injustice

wisdom

honour

… and beauty.

In ancient times, and still in tribal cultures today, the

story-teller is a highly valued and powerful

individual.

In ancient Ireland to kill a story-teller in war was as

bad as killing a king.

Today our story-tellers are novelists, playwrights and writers for television and

film.

These people create narratives that bring to

life …

compelling characters …

unexpected plot-lines …

realistic or fantastical settings …

and powerful themes.

We want YOU to take on the role of story-teller!

We are giving you 3-4 minutes to tell us a story that will spark our imaginations, provoke deep

thoughts and evoke strong emotions.

So … what story will you tell?

What do you want your reader to feel?

frustration

shame

pride

love

empathy

desire.

What do you want your reader to think about?

everlasting love?

the need for change?

the complexities of adolescence?

the power of faith?

What do you want your reader to imagine?

another world?

a disaster?

life on the streets?

life as a young woman in Africa?

life in the past?

life without a mother?

… or the future?

Great stories centre on a main idea or message - often

referred to as a ‘theme’. We’d like your story to

explore a theme of your own choosing.

Some possible themes are included on the

assessment sheet for you.

Now go on …

… tell us a story!!