1. In your view, how does David feel about his birthday? 2. Do you think David’s parents are loving people? Explain your answer.
3. Do you think this is a typical 14-year-old’s birthday celebration? Give reasons for your answer.
4. ‘... for about the hundredth time this summer I mourn my life’s failure to follow the plot of a perky teenage movie.’
(a) Do you think young people are heavily influenced by what they see on television and in films?
(b) List some teenage films that are not considered ‘perky’. Investigate
Conduct a survey to find out how people in your community feel about birthdays. You may wish to ask your classmates, other members of your school community, family and friends. One way to conduct an informal survey is to ask people at random and record their responses. This is called a vox pop. The term ‘vox pop’ comes from the Latin phrase vox populi, meaning ‘voice of the people’. Reporters frequently use vox pops to obtain a snapshot of public opinion.
Create
1. Design the front cover for the book The Art of Being Normal. 2. Write the next paragraph, continuing the story. 3. Write a speech to be delivered to your classmates entitled ‘The Art of Being Normal’. 4. Write a feature article for your school magazine on the subject of birthdays.
