You should write a speech addressing cultural and/or artistic aspects found in at least two different sources: Denise Duhamel’s poetry collection Kinky, and Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton’s film Little Miss Sunshine. I have provided a list of potential options that would work with Kinky and Little Miss Sunshine. Ultimately you must construct an ARGUMENT (likely about contemporary culture or art, but potentially about anything). You might suggest and defend an interpretation; argue for the purpose/meaning of your topic; assert a “message” (one of many perhaps) that you have reason to believe these writers/directors are trying to convey, etc. Regardless of your focus, you must provide evidence (specific details and examples) to support your claims and conclusions. You might address how successful/unsuccessful the writers/directors were in getting their point(s) across, or shed new light on the topic by discussing the greater context.
The categories below are broad, so you should narrow your topic, and identify specific examples that speak to (support, challenge) your argument.
Options to consider:
1. Function of Humor, Irony, and/or Satire
2. Influence of Media
3. American Dream (dreams of personal prosperity)
4. Capitalism and/or Commodity/Commercial Culture
5. Competition
6. Conformity and/or Independence
7. Friendship, Family, and/or Community
8. Individual and/or Communal Identities
You should construct your speech in such a way, that it would include the following components:
-Hook: an interesting first statement that draws the audience in
-Introduction: including a central thesis and preview/map of the speech (shouldn’t be too long)
-Body: demonstrating an appropriate organizational pattern, key points, transitions, supporting evidence (details, examples, etc.)
-Conclusion: summary of main points & ideas, ending with a satisfying reminder of how the points raised in your speech tie together/support your thesis.
