Argumentation in "The Girl Who Silenced the World for Five Minutes" "Assignment"

Based on what you have read, write two to three sentences explaining the message of Severn Cullis-Suzuki's speech.

SAMPLE RESPONSE: Cullis-Suzuki wants to point out the damage happening to the environment and to remind delegates to think of future generations. She asks the delegates to take serious action to make big changes

Do not forget why you're attending these conferences, who you're doing this for. We are your own children. You are deciding what kind of world we are growing up in. Parents should be able to comfort their children by saying, "Everything's going to be all right," "It's not the end of the world," and "We're doing the best we can." But I don't think you can say that to us anymore. Are we even on your list of priorities? My father always says,"You are what you do, not what you say." Well, what you do makes me cry at night. You grown-ups say you love us. I challenge you: Please make your actions reflect your words. —"The Girl Who Silenced the World for Five Minutes,"Severn Cullis-Suzuki According to the passage, why does Suzuki believe parents can no longer say things like, "Everything's going to be all right"?

because their actions do not match their words

Here, you may be delegates of your governments, business people, organisers, reporters, or politicians, but really you are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles—and all of you are someone's child. I'm only a child yet I know we are all part of a family, five billion strong—in fact, 30 million species strong—and borders and governments will never change that. —"The Girl Who Silenced the World for Five Minutes,"Severn Cullis-Suzuki What reasonable conclusions can you draw from this passage?

-Suzuki wants to remind the delegates of their children. -Suzuki wants the delegates to think of the world as one big family. -Suzuki wants the delegates to realize that even a child understands the problem.

We are a group of twelve- and thirteen-year-olds trying to make a difference: Vanessa Suttie, Morgan Geisler, Michelle Quigg, and me. We've raised all the money to come here ourselves to come five thousand miles to tell you adults you must change your ways. Coming here today, I have no hidden agenda. I am fighting for my future. Losing my future is not like losing an election or a few points on the stock market. I am here to speak for all generations to come. —"The Girl Who Silenced the World for Five Minutes,"Severn Cullis-Suzuki Use the drop-down menus to identify each statement as a fact or opinion. We are a group of twelve- and thirteen-year-olds ___________________________ We've raised all the money to come here ourselves ___________________________ [Y]ou must change your ways. __________________________

-fact -fact -opinion

Do not forget why you're attending these conferences, who you're doing this for. We are your own children. You are deciding what kind of world we are growing up in. Parents should be able to comfort their children by saying, "Everything's going to be all right," "It's not the end of the world," and "We're doing the best we can." But I don't think you can say that to us anymore. Are we even on your list of priorities? My father always says, "You are what you do, not what you say." Well, what you do makes me cry at night. You grown-ups say you love us. I challenge you: Please make your actions reflect your words. —"The Girl Who Silenced the World for Five Minutes,"Severn Cullis-Suzuki What reasonable conclusion should the listeners draw from this part of the speech?

Suzuki wants adults to mean what they say.