CBC Archives

Ask students to discuss the process of point and counterpoint in an argument. Ask: Who are some persuasive public speakers you have heard or know about? How do they convey their points effectively?

Direct students to the topic Butting Out: The Slow Death of Smoking in Canada on the CBC Digital Archives website and show the additional clip Smokers are the lepers in a participacting society. As a class, discuss the points that Rex Murphy makes and the techniques he uses to convey them. Have each student write a speech to rebut Murphy’s speech, encouraging them to use strong techniques to make their point.

Assessment Tip
Look for qualities in the speech that emulate those shown by Murphy. Have students used irony, humour, plays on words, or sarcasm? Look for these as effective ways to counter Murphy’s commentaries.

Have students present their rebuttal speeches in small groups. From each group, students select a representative speech, which speakers present to the whole class. As a class, select the best rebuttal, film it, and play it to the class on another day after showing the Murphy clip again.

The class can send a copy of the filmed rebuttal to Murphy and ask him to consider their point of view.