3.6 Meaning Through Language and Performance

This assignment asks you to discuss how an artist's message is conveyed through language and performance techniques. How do artists communicate their perspectives?  How is personal identity conveyed in language and performance techniques, remembering that the way we present our information is tied to our identity?

Task:

Select one of the following performances and write a personal response paragraph of approximately 250 words that discusses how the speaker's message is conveyed through language and performance techniques.  What is the main idea of the performance?  How is personal, social, and/or cultural identity conveyed in the performance? You  might also consider if the message changes before and after listening.  How does the performance help with comprehension?

Option #1:  Countdown by PrufRock Shadowrunner.  Shadowrunner is a well-known veteran of the slam poetry scene in Canada. Based in Ottawa, he's a member of the city's slam team, and also DJs, raps and acts. His video Countdown is an insanely clever, effortlessly delivered monologue about being black in the 21st century.

Option #2:  Explaining My Depression to My Mother by Sabrina Benaim.  On Twitter, Sabrina Benaim describes herself as a poet, dance party enthusiast and Slytherin. We have another three words to add: powerful, brilliant and courageous. In her viral video, , Benaim gives an excruciatingly bang-on description of what it's like to explain depression to someone who loves you, but just doesn't get it.  Here is the text version.

Source:  https://www.cbc.ca/books/7-must-see-canadian-poetry-performances-1.4266637

Option #3:  Pretty by Katie Makkai. Makkai delivers a powerful performance on the broad difference between prettiness and beauty in current society. Her use of humour and irony combine to emphasize the seriousness of societal expectations on image.  Here is the text version.  *Be aware there is a swear word in this performance.

Use the following guiding questions and handouts to help brainstorm notes for your paragraph response.  Identify some of the performance techniques the speaker uses to create meaning. How do they contribute to your understanding of the message?

Identity and Message

  • What is the main idea or message of the performance?
  • What does this performance reveal about personal, social, and/or cultural identity?

Language (handout)

  • What language does the speaker/storyteller use?

Performance Techniques (handout)

  • What voice techniques does the speaker use to convey the message?
  • What performance techniques does the speaker use?

***Would you like to see an example?

Try this performance first.  In 2007, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, unveiled the first iPhone during Apple's Macworld keynote, marking a crucial moment in the company's history and a revolutionary new project.  His keynote speech is still noted as one of the best presentations of all time.  Watch his presentation and assess how he uses language and performance techniques to communicate his message.  Here is an answer guide for you to follow as you watch the video.

 

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target(s): Exemplary (6/6):  Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective.  Student recognizes language, and voice and performance techniques and how they contribute to meaning.  Student clearly communicates how the speaker's point of view and identity is conveyed through language and performance.

Written Expression:  Exemplary (6/6):  Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen.  Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.  Content contributes to the central idea and makes insightful connections with logical organization.

 

Estimated Allotted Time: 1 hour

Submission

This is where you will upload your assignment to your teacher for marking.
You will upload the file (.docx, .pdf, .png, .ppt, etc.) containing your assignment.  

Name the file with your name and the title.  eg. First name Last name Meaning Through Language and Performance

    • Click Add submission.
    • Upload the file containing your assignment under File submission.
    • Click Save changes.

OR provide the shareable link from your google drive in the online text box.