Puritanism Lit . . .

Sinners in the Hands

of an Angry Principal
English III

The preacher Jonathan Edwards wrote and delivered speeches with passion fueled by fire and
brimstone. He didnt deliver his message with many gestures or movements, but his sermon,
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, had a dramatic effect on his parishioners, many of
whom wept and moaned. Some even considered suicide.

Thats powerful stuff.

Do you think you can achieve that same level of impact? Well, we are going to find out.

Imagine that our school has just hired a new principal. Using Jonathan Edwards sermon as a
model, write a modern day speech that this principle might make in front of an audience of
students. Imagine that the new principal views all students as potential troublemakers and is
addressing our student body in the auditorium, with language designed to intimidate them and
frighten students into being good.

Here are the specifics of what your speech should include:

Use strong & appropriate language
Choose a specific sin (e.g. skipping class) to focus on
Include powerful, emphatic opening & closing statements
Incorporate figurative language (e.g. simile, metaphor)
Should be about 1 page (take it and run with it!!)

After you turn your speech in via Google Classroom, we will also be giving the speeches in class
at a later date.

This assignment is worth the following:

Written Speech: 25 points
Delivered Speech: 25 points

You should write your speech in the space below. When you are all done, simply click the Turn
In button above.
 Hello Students of SHS it is a new school year and Im excited to tell you that I hate all of
you. I will continue to hate all of you until otherwise proved differently. I will not be your,
friend. You cannot come to me with your high school drama and problems between one
another. You are in Highschool now, so you need to learn how to talk to others in order to sort
out your issues in life. I know how High School kids act, so i will not hesitate to do what needs
to be done, whether that be, suspension, hitting your knuckles with a ruler, and insulting you
until you feel worthless. Maybe thatll get it through your stupid inconsistent head, to follow my
orders at any given moment of the day.
I will treat you all with respect if i get it in return, such as, Thank you Sir, Yes Sir,
Yes Maam, Please and thank you, No thank you, etc. if you do not treat your teachers
and peers with the respect deserved, then you will receive what youve given to others in return.
Now I know you all of you cant seem to live without your phone 2in. in front of your
face, but I am here to tell you that you will not be allowed to have your technology out at
anytime of the school day. Now, i have specifically warned you, and if you need reassurance on
the rules, go ahead and take your phone out and I will explain in more detail, yet again. Only this
time your phone will be taken away promptly and you won't get it back until the next morning. If
its an emergency, then your parents have the ability to call the front office if need be.
I also will not tolerate any profound language including, any word that indicates any
sexual references, a donkey, and/or other animal names that may cause inappropriate behavioral
language. I will not allow any language that discriminates against ethnicity, physical appearance,
and lifestyle choices. If any inappropriate language is heard or spoken of then you will have the
joy of tasting anti-bacterial soap and get suspended immediately. I will choose how many days
you are suspended and it will be your job to still finish your homework and have your parents
bring any homework that is due that day. If any of your assignments from the suspension are
turned in late, its an automatic F and your suspension period will be lengthened. If your
suspension period gets lengthened 3 times, then you will be expelled from this schools facility
immediately.
Finally, I will not tolerate clothing above your knees. I will not tolerate any clothing that
shows shoulders. I will not tolerate dresses. I will not tolerate anything with colorful patterns and
designs that could lead to distractions. You will follow these dress codes, or immediate
suspension and/or janitor duties will be put into place. We are not here to show off our bodies
and flashy clothing items. We are here to learn, so that is all we will be doing in this building.
Now, this may seem overwhelming at times, but if you paid attention then you should be
great and start the school year with a bang. You should know how to respect your elders and
peers. You Should know to leave your phone at home or in your bags at all times. You should
know that any discrimination and/or profound language will cause great consequences if broken.
You should also know to not wear anything revealing in any way, or more consequences will
come your way in the future. Now sit up straight and lean in closely to understand my last
statements. If you listened to my speech then we will have a great year, but if you didnt listen,
then these next 4 years of your life will be a living.. Infernal region.