GRADE 9 ASYNCHRONOUS TASK #3 April 8, 2024

Read the oratorical speech below written by JL Ecleo and was performed and won by Rey
Chen Bahinting in an inter-high school oratorical contest held at the Luce Auditorium in
Silliman University. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Read Today, Lead Tomorrow

Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are…Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall...the eensy weensy spider climbed up the waterspout, down came
the rain and washed the spider out…sound familiar? But of course, these are nursery rhymes that we
enjoyed so much as children. How about the damsel in distress who was rescued by her knight in
shining armor from a fire-belching dragon, the beauty who lived with the seven dwarfs, and the little
girl who got warped into wonderland and experienced all those interesting adventures? Such great
fairy tales these were tickled our imaginations and inspired us to create stories of our own.
What joy reading brings. Many of us young readers would say that first and foremost, the reason we
read something is because we enjoy it. True, and then, in time, we realize there’s so much more to it.
As we grow older, we find out that reading is not only for mere enjoyment but for us to develop a lot
of skills, and leading is one of them. Read to Lead, is an online movement that promotes “reading as
an essential component in creating, developing, and inspiring our future leaders.”
Three words struck me from that statement: creating, developing, and inspiring. How does
reading create, develop, and inspire would-be leaders?
Allow me to tackle each one. First, how does reading create future leaders? “Good leaders are
made, not born,” these were the words of Colin Powell, a former U.S. secretary of state. While it is
true that there are individuals who are confidently learned and skilled, it does not necessarily mean,
though, that they have been born that way. Literacy, more often than not, has something to do with it.
With literacy, I mean the “deep, broad reading” referred to by John Coleman in his publication entitled
“For Those Who Want To Lead, Read” or the “meaning-filled reading” suggested by the International
Reading Association. When we do “deep, broad, meaning-filled reading” we learn to empathize, solve
complex problems, and engage others, as well as, make meaningful contributions to diverse
conversations. Are these not qualities that make a good leader? These may not be all, but surely
these, too, are.
Second, how does reading develop future leaders? Dr. John Kline in his May 2011 column
titled “Leaders Must Be Readers” mentioned many areas that are developed by reading. He wrote
that by trying to understand written words, minds get to be exercised and thus, become stronger; that
having the ability to process written information promotes positive self-esteem; and that by perusing
over a reading material the creative and imaginative part of the brain is enhanced. Now, whose mind
gets to be worked out? Who gets a boost of self-image? And, whose artistic and ingenious brain gets
to be stimulated by reading? It is a person; an individual who could also be a budding leader. A
person who reads, improves, excels, and leads.
Finally, how does reading inspire future leaders? Inspiration it says? Ah, two personas would
make the point: Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi and of course, our very own Dr. Jose Rizal. Mahatma
Gandhi who “led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and
freedom across the world” read the epic poem Bhagavad Gita. This sacred text presented Gandhi
with new ideas and concepts that founded his beliefs by dedicating himself wholesale to the service
of the Supreme Being without asking for anything in return. Coleman wrote that “reading inspires
thought, thought inspires action.” Dr. Jose Rizal wrote several books like Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, and with these Coleman’s words rang true. Upon reading and understanding, the
patriotic hearts of many Filipinos ignited, prompting them to act to liberate themselves from the
tyrannical rule of the Spaniards. As Dr. Kline puts it, “The power of written ideas is foundational to a
democracy.”
 Regardless of how we were motivated to read, from Hickory Dickory Dock, to the magical kiss
that brought Snow White back to life, and down to epics and novels that kindled passion for freedom;
all these contribute to who we are now and who we might be – leaders. Morton Blackwell put it nicely
when he said, “By not reading, you limit what you can achieve, make mistakes you could avoid, and
miss opportunities that could improve your life.” So, hear me out! Eenie meeni miini moh, let’s read
today and lead tomorrow.

Name: ___________________________________________ Date: __________________

Grade & Section: __________________________________

ACTIVITY:
What do you think about the speech?
Evaluate the speech in terms of relevance and worthiness, soundness, and effectiveness by
accomplishing the table below.

CRITERIA Yes No Maybe

Relevance and Worthiness
1. The main idea of the text, its point and sentences relate to
the topic of the presentation and should be on point.
2. The supporting details or evidences provided support the
central idea.
3. The listener or the audience can infer the author’s main
idea.
Soundness
4. The 'evidence’ is strong enough to hold up the author's
main idea or belief.
5. The reasoning of the author is both valid and its premises
are all true.
Effectiveness
6. The audience are taken into consideration.
7. The text has clear logical structure (brief overview, reason
and main findings, summary and result) in such a way that it
helps the audience understand it.
8. The proper use of spoken English is taken into
consideration - formality, complexity of vocabulary and
grammatical structure.
9. It is evident that the presentation is well-studied and
prepared, and the presenter shows being well-versed about
the topic.

10-11. If your answer is YES in No. 1, what is the main idea of the paragraph?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

12-14. Give at least three supporting details that will justify your main idea.

12. _____________________________________________________________________

13. _____________________________________________________________________

14. ______________________________________________________________________
15. What can be concluded from the reading material?
_________________________________________________________________________