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Q+A: The climate change debate

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People sit on Q+A panel
Q+A: The climate change debate

SUBJECTS:  English, Science

YEARS:  9–10


Climate change is a hot topic.

Watch this clip to see examples of how some well-known Australians use language and persuasive techniques in a very public Q+A panel discussion on the issue.


Things to think about

  1. 1.Have you ever been in an argument where your opponent just keeps getting the better of you, even when you know you're right? How did your opponent manage to 'win' the debate? Language is a powerful tool. Those who can use it well may themselves become powerful or influential. Can you think of some examples of this?
  2. 2.Identify each panellist's occupation from their name labels. Which three of Greg Hunt's phrases suggest he is appealing to both sides of the debate? How does Jennifer Morohasy, in her opening statement, create a sense of inclusion with her audience? How does Tim Flannery create distance between himself and Jennifer in his first sentence? Can you see any examples of one panellist undermining another? What are they and who uses them?
  3. 3.Identify which views on the climate change debate each panellist subscribes to. Which strategies noted in this clip include or empower the audience? Which are designed to exclude or disempower? Watch the clip again and keep a tally of who attempts to use inclusive and exclusive strategies. Which panellist do you feel dominates the debate?
  4. 4.Return to Corey and Hilary at the beginning of the clip. What is their question and how do they present it in their video? What views are embedded in it? Do you find the video effective? Compare the perspectives and views of each of the panellists in the clip. What evidence do the panellists use to support their views, if any?



Date of broadcast: 18 Oct 2010


Copyright

Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia Ltd 2012 (except where otherwise indicated). Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). Video © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). All images copyright their respective owners. Text © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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