“But I Disagree”: Fabrications 2013

2 November 2013Toby CH

Although it produces speeches widely varied in tone, tactics, and topic, Brentwood’s Fabrications contest is always a fun and engaging experience. The Task: to write a speech that, when presented, will take you under 4 minutes to perform. The Goal: to be the best in your grade and present your original speech in front of the whole school at assembly. This is a venerable achievement that only a select few have been fortunate enough to attain. I am not one of those few. Perfection has been achieved three times in the history of human life: 1] The birth of Theo Walcott, Arsenal FC’s right midfield soccer player. 2] The invention of the poptart. 3] My Grade 9 speech on why Brentwood should be underwater. Despite my speech’s presence on this of list perfections, I assume that the stuffy judges rejected my sensitive and thought-provoking speech because the humor was too high-brow. Having said that, it was also the year Sara T, Mackenzie ‘15 won with her superlatively executed speech about the troubles of being a Grade 9. This was the closest I’ve come to winning Fabrications so it is still a goal I strive for, along with all the other students of Brentwood, every single year. Given only the prompt “But I Disagree” each Brentwood student wrote a speech that they felt was informative, interesting, or just plain funny. In English classrooms across the campus, an excellent range of speech topics were heard. From eloquently written speeches about the ideals of beauty from Claire A, Allard ’15 to truly insightful opinions on academic achievement from Tyler P, Rogers ‘15 to the immediate rearrangement of the alphabet by a cynical and hilarious Nick M, Ellis ‘15, it was fantastic to see students show their creative initiative and present these important and outlandish ideas. Speakers such as Tobi A, Whittall ‘15 chose to enlighten others about his favourite cultural pastime, eating sushi, whereas Charlie M, Whittall ‘15 illustrated his latent yet unrivaled rap sills with a consequential standing ovation. We heard logos from Jordan S’s, Whittall ‘15 riotous women drivers’ speech; we heard ethos from blonde Karli S’s, Hope ‘15 blonde speech, and we heard pathos from Scott W, Ellis ‘15 about his ignorant friends’ subpar table etiquette. These topics, along with uses of effective rhetoric, made for a large group of entertaining speeches, and a thoroughly successful Fabrications 2013 Although the semifinalists are still to be officially announced, the winners know who they are and they will surely be continuing to practice their speech as we speak. The unfortunate non-placers, such as me, I urge not to worry about their loss. They say the judging is fair, but I disagree. After every speech of mine has been marked, I always get the same type of comments: “silly,” or “nonsensical” or “your thinking process is comparable to that of a small child.” Surely they must be mistaking me for somebody else! Later on this year the winner from each grade will bask in the ultimate glory. On the stage of the Killy Theatre a spotlight will be trained to their inspired face, their speech ready to be delivered, and their peers waiting anxiously to hear their words. I wish luck to whomever wins the contest, and I am already excited to hear their speech. Toby CH, Privett ‘15

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