Speaking for Animals

Name:

Date:

📖 Part 1: Read and Analyse

Stimulus: Behind the bright glass, the tiger paced the same narrow path again and again. Visitors lifted their phones, eager for a photograph. The tiger’s golden eyes followed them, but its world had shrunk to concrete, steel and noise. A sanctuary cannot be measured only by clean water and full bowls; an animal also needs space, choice and a life that feels like its own.

Think: Should animals ever be kept for human entertainment?

1. What is the tiger’s perspective about its life in the sanctuary? Use evidence from the stimulus.

2. Identify one value expressed in the stimulus. Explain how the writer shows this value.

3. Choose one language choice, such as imagery, contrast or emotive language. Explain how it affects the audience.

The word or technique ________________ represents the tiger as ________________. This makes the audience feel or consider ________________ because ________________.

4. Who is the likely audience for this text? What does the writer want the audience to understand or do?

✏️ Part 2: Plan Your Animal Speech

Write a 90–120-word persuasive speech in the first person. Speak as an animal affected by a human decision. Your audience might be zoo visitors, a wildlife park board or local decision-makers.

5. Complete your speech plan.

Animal and audience: I am a __________________________ speaking to __________________________.

Claim: I want my audience to believe or do ________________________________________________.

Reason 1 and evidence/example: _________________________________________________

Reason 2 and evidence/example: _________________________________________________

Emotive words I will use: ____________________________________________________

Rhetorical question: _________________________________________________________

Call to action: ______________________________________________________________

6. Draft your speech. Use first-person pronouns such as I, me and my. Include a clear position, two reasons, an example and a persuasive ending.

Language Toolbox

Sentence starters: “I am more than a __________.” “Every day, I __________.” “My life has changed because __________.” “You may think __________, but __________.” “Will you allow __________?” “Please __________ before it is too late.”

Persuasive devices: direct address (you), emotive language (fear, lonely, precious), repetition, rhetorical questions, facts or examples, and a strong call to action.

7. Write three first-person sentences from your animal’s perspective. Include one sensory detail and one statement about what the audience should understand.

🎤 Part 3: Speak, Respond and Reflect

Rehearse your speech for 1–2 minutes. Adjust your volume, pace and emphasis so your audience can follow your ideas.

Self-assessment: Tick each statement that is true.

I used a clear first-person voice.

I stated a clear claim or position.

I included two reasons and a relevant example.

I used persuasive devices and emotive language.

I addressed my chosen audience.

I used an effective call to action.

Peer feedback

One effective language choice was: ____________________________________________

The speech represented the animal as: _________________________________________

One suggestion for clearer delivery or stronger persuasion: _______________________

Exit reflection: One language choice I used was ____________________. It represented the animal as ____________________ and encouraged the audience to ____________________.

Teacher Answer Guide

1. The tiger feels confined, restricted or unhappy. Evidence may include “paced the same narrow path”, “shrunk” and “concrete, steel and noise”.

2. Possible values include freedom, animal welfare, ethical responsibility, compassion and respect for living creatures. Students should explain how the text shows the value.

3. Accept well-supported answers. For example, “bright glass” contrasts with the tiger’s limited world, encouraging the audience to question whether the setting is truly positive.

4. Possible audiences include zoo visitors, animal lovers or people making decisions about animal care. The text encourages the audience to consider animals’ need for space, choice and wellbeing.

5–7. Responses will vary. Look for a clear viewpoint, first-person voice, logical reasons, relevant evidence or examples, purposeful persuasive language and attention to audience. Strong responses may acknowledge and rebut a counterargument.