Smoke signals is a 1998 independent film directed by Chris Eyre and written by Sherman Alexie, based on the short story "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona" from his book "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven." The film tells the story of two Native American young men, Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, who embark on a journey from the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation in Idaho to Phoenix, Arizona to retrieve the ashes of Victor's estranged father, Arnold.
The film explores themes of identity, family, and cultural heritage as Victor and Thomas navigate their complex relationship and the challenges they face on their journey. Victor, who is angry and resentful towards his father for leaving the family and abandoning their cultural traditions, initially resists Thomas's attempts to connect with him and share stories about their people and history.
However, as they journey together and confront the difficulties they face, including a car breakdown and encounters with racism and violence, Victor begins to understand and appreciate the value of his cultural heritage and the importance of storytelling in preserving it. He also begins to see Thomas in a different light, recognizing his intelligence and wisdom despite his sometimes quirky and eccentric behavior.
The film also highlights the struggles of Native American communities, including the impact of colonialism and the loss of traditional ways of life. It shows the complex and often troubled relationships between Native Americans and white society, and the ways in which the past continues to affect the present.
Overall, Smoke signals is a powerful and moving exploration of identity, family, and cultural heritage. Its engaging and nuanced portrayal of the experiences of Native American characters and the themes it tackles make it a poignant and thought-provoking film that remains relevant and meaningful today.
A persuasive speech is a type of public speaking that aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular belief or course of action. In order to be effective, a persuasive speech must be well-organized, well-researched, and well-delivered. Here is a template that you can use to structure your own persuasive speech:
- Introduction:
- Start by capturing the attention of your audience. This can be done through a powerful opening statement, a rhetorical question, a personal anecdote, or a striking statistic.
- Clearly state the purpose of your speech. This should be the main point that you want your audience to take away from your presentation.
- Preview the main points of your speech. This will give your audience a sense of what to expect and help them follow your argument more easily.
- Body:
- Begin with your strongest argument. This should be the argument that is most likely to persuade your audience.
- Follow this with your second strongest argument, and then your third strongest argument, and so on.
- Use evidence to support your arguments. This can be in the form of research, statistics, examples, or personal experiences.
- Address counterarguments. It is important to anticipate and address any objections that your audience might have to your argument. This will show that you have thought critically about your position and that you are willing to engage with differing viewpoints.
- Conclusion:
- Summarize the main points of your speech. This will help reinforce the main points of your argument in the minds of your audience.
- Restate your purpose. This will help your audience remember the main point of your speech and will give them a sense of closure.
- End with a call to action. This can be a request for your audience to take a specific action, such as signing a petition or volunteering their time. Alternatively, you can simply encourage your audience to think more deeply about the issue at hand.
Remember that a persuasive speech is all about convincing your audience to adopt your point of view. In order to do this, you need to make a strong, well-supported argument and deliver it with conviction and passion. By following this template and putting in the necessary preparation and practice, you can deliver an effective persuasive speech that will persuade your audience to see things your way.
