Hi guys! Your language device test is tomorrow so check out the PPTs in the post below! You could also look at some of these short pieces and see which language devices are used.
Enough already: Australia was built by refugees
How low our leaders have fallen in pursuing the votes of Australians blinded by prejudice. They should be ashamed of making political capital out of the suffering of people who are in the same kind of ”boat” as most of our forebears. We should treat asylum seekers as we would wish to be treated in similar circumstances. All of us who are non-indigenous are descendants of refugees of some sort or another. Our country is built on, and by, refugees.
Let us demand an end to this scaremongering; let us demand it be put in its correct context: a global problem caused by stupid, cruel men fighting. Let us demand a focus on what matters: how to make our mineral wealth work for all; how to maintain a society where work is respected and rewarded, no matter how lowly the task; how to care for water, soil and air as the highest priority; and how to encourage and reward creativity in every field of endeavour. Lift your game, leaders. Millions of us are waiting for a sign of hope.
RAE BARCLAY, Highton
We’ve become selfish
”Why do Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd keep referring to them as boat people?” my 10-year-old brother asked me while watching the news. Unknowingly, he had brought up the most important issue. Why don’t our politicians regard ”boat people” as humans? More importantly, why has the public followed in their footsteps? We have become a selfish people. We refuse to help the thousands who are coming here; who need a place where they won’t be shot at. We have convinced ourselves that the little aid we give is enough – we don’t want our social services clogged up by newcomers, who, by the way, do become taxpayers.
OLIVER JOHNSON, 15, Camberwell
We’re a selfish bunch
Charlie Pickering accurately summarises our feelings about the saga of the election campaign (”No disguising this dog of a debate”, 18/8). Sadly, however, he leaves it until the last line to ascribe blame for this woeful situation – a less demanding audience and media, as well as politicians who cannot act.
As Shakespeare said on at least one occasion, the fault is in ourselves. Why do politicians promise handouts at this particular time instead of exposing their deeply felt political philosophies? In essence, because the majority of us don’t give a stuff. If we can see a few dollars in our pocket for maternity leave or keeping the car industry going we will vote accordingly, with little to no reference to the broader needs or future of the nation.
Australians, although clearly capable of great generosity of spirit, have become a very selfish bunch and it takes little encouragement from the media to focus this angst on the political process. Politicians know this very well and respond accordingly.
TONY PRIESTLEY, Fitzroy
Miss Carpenter's Classroom 