ORAL COMMENTARY

PRESENTATION
'FREEDOM WRITERS' (2007)
NIK NUR AFIFAH BT SUHAIMI
2018473342
CS1103C
 Overview of Plot
• This has to be one of the most inspirational movies I have ever seen. The storyline was very
interesting. The characters, the heart, the message and the dialogue in this movie are
amazing. The acting by everyone especially by Hillary Swank (the teacher) was great. When I
watched this movie, it made me become a part of the story. The entire cast that I follow
throughout the movie do an excellent job of getting into my heart. The spirit of Erin Gruwell
to help their students was really great. What ever challenges that she had to face, she never
give up to teaches. Eventhough other people try to put her down, but she still stick with her
decision to give her best to her students. Everythings that she did, all of her hard works finally
paid off when at last her students change and realise what the right things are.
 Overview of Plot
• Give an overview (short and sweet brief synopsis)
of the plot, only include IMPORTANT details.
 SUMMARY OF THE MOVIE
• Freedom Writers is a movie about a naive young teacher whose finally lands the job
that she has been trying to get. Being the new teacher at a hard knock high school,
she learns that her students are a bit uneducated. She was supposed to teach them
English, but everyone seems to be against her. There are many people who say that
she can't do the job. Many say that she's too young and that no one else has been
able to get through to them. So, how does she think can teach them. To the top that
off, she's dealing with a school that fails to get her the materials she needs to teach
the class. They won't allow her to give them books as they say that they can't read or
that they would just damage the books.
• While everyone seems not going to support her and wanna let her down, she starts
to rise. The kids are all at odds with one another. Being raised in New York where
this takes place, the kids are all from different parts of the hood where there are
racial lines. There are also gangster related lines as well.
 SUMMARY OF THE MOVIE
• She forms a bond with some of the students as she learns which ones have beef with one another. It's
really hard for her to get her point across that the hate they have for one another won't help them in the
classroom nor will it help them out in the real life. Therefore, she teaches them history. She takes them
on field trips, but what really gives this movie it's name is that she has them write. She tells them that she
won't read them if they don't want her to. However, you find that they all leave it for her. These kids have so
much to say and no one to listen.
• In the meantime, as she gives so much time to them, she loses her husband. The only thing she has left
are her students who grow to love her. The things she reads is so amazing. They start writing about
their own life, then about the things they encounter as they go on these field trips. The students start
earning money so that they can go on field trips and having guest speakers at the school and make a
good name for the school that gets such a bad rap. They take their stories and create a book which is
what Freedom Writers really is.
 SUMMARY OF THE MOVIE
• Provide a very short summary/synopsis of the movie (please
do not describe every details of the movie, only provide the main idea/ the
gist of the movie)

• Inform us on the setting and genre of the movie

 MEMORABLE SCENE

This teacher is a hero. She proves all those narrow minded ignorant people that doubt her that these kids do want to make
something of themselves, that they are just victims of terrible situations. When the students enter the class the teacher already prepared the
goodie bags that contain books for that semester and a drinks for an activity that she called “Toast for Change”. She wants the student to
share their story and change from that moment. The drinks are for a toast which is a promise that they will change.
She said to her students, “From this moment every boys that told you that you can’t, is silent. Every reason that tells you that
you will never change, will disappears and the person you were before this moment, that person is over. Now it’s your turn.” (Qoutes)
This scene was emorable for me because of her words which is very inspirational and make their students wanna become a
better person. This is why it is so important to our economy and building our workforce that we make it easier for older teachers to retire, so
that teachers like this, with a passion for teaching and reforming have a shot, instead of letting crappy teachers who would bail out and give
up on these poor students.
 MEMORABLE SCENE
• Insert 1 picture of memorable scene
• Justify why is it memorable to you.
• Describe ONE memorable scene of the movie. Include picture of the
scene. (What are the quotes or film techniques that made it memorable?)
 CHARACTER
(Describe TWO characters that you like – why?

Erin Gruwell
• Caring for her students
• Strong spirit teacher who want to help their student
become better

Eva Benitez
• Love her family very much
 CHARACTER
(Describe TWO characters that you like – why?

Actor 1
• Characteristic 1
• Characteristic 2

Actor 2
• Characteristic 1
• Characteristic 2
 Overall opinion of the movie.
• Critique
• The overall strength(s) of the film/television programme.
• Weakness(es) of the film/television programme
• Why do you like/choose this movie? Would you
recommend the movie to others?
 Overall opinion of the movie.
• Critique
• The overall strength(s) of the film/television programme.
• Weakness(es) of the film/television programme
• Why do you like/choose this movie? Would you
recommend the movie to others?
 Values
• What did you learn from the movie? Provide TWO moral
values and justify your reasons.
• Because in everyday life, we faced so many obstacle. We need to be strong so that we will never give up.
• Mrs G is a new teacher teachers in school which have a racist problem among students. For man of the
students, Mrs G method were their first experience including detailed stories of abuse, explicit street language
Never give up and extreme violence. She always try her best to help their students even other teacher never support her.

• Because family is the one who always be with us and support us even though other people put us down
• Eva loves her family so much. Her dad was in jail so she had to take care of her family by herself. She join a
gang so that she can make sure her family is save from treats. She willing to protect her family because she
Love our family believes by doing that will bring her honor.
wholeheartedly
 Values
• What did you learn from the movie? Provide TWO moral
values and justify your reasons.
• Reason 1
Moral values
1 • Evidence 1

• Reason 1
Moral values
2 • Evidence 1
 TIPS
• Prepare only 1 slide for significant pictures that may assist your presentations.
(example).You may put several pictures in 1 slide.
• Practice presenting within the time limit which
is 7 minutes.
• Prepare cue cards for your presentations,
please do not refer to any other electronic devices.
• Reading instead of presenting, marks
will be deducted.
• Provide a few questions to ask the audience.