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11-12
Playing Mordecai Richler
Project type: Assignment
Related topic:
Mordecai Richler Was Here
Mordecai Richler Was Here
Subjects
History
English Language Arts
English Language Arts
Summary
Students role-play a debate or discussion between Mordecai Richler and an interviewer.
Duration
2 to 3 lessons
Purpose
To debate or discuss a controversial issue, to write a role-play
Before Exploring
If students have not completed the Introductory Activity, Richler in a Sentence, have them do so now. Discuss with the students the public persona of Mordecai Richler. Identify Richler’s acerbic wit, brutal honesty, and controversial opinions. Then view the Additional Clip “Rex Murphy, Mordecai Richler was here” on the topic Mordecai Richler Was Here on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Ask: Why do you think Richler was both loved and hated? How did his personal beliefs influence his public opinions?
Outline the Opportunity
Have pairs of students select one interview clip from the topic Mordecai Richler Was Here on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Students will write a three- to five-minute script for a discussion or debate that might have occurred between Richler and the interviewer or interviewee either just before or just after the interview took place. Students should focus on one of the more controversial aspects of the interview and can use the download sheet Playing Mordecai Richler as a guide.
Allow students time to write, practice, and revise their role-play.
Revisit and Reflect
Ask students to present their role-plays to the class. Students should be prepared to ask and answer questions about the role-plays and the choices made by the performers.
Extension
Students can write a few paragraphs describing what they learned about Mordecai Richler and his public persona.
