Optimism

by anonymous
(US)

Q: I'm in the 8th grade and trying to form ideas to write about in a speech contest that is a month away. The topic is optimism. Help?

A: Good luck in your speech contest! Optimism is actually a great topic, just stay away from platitudes like 'It's always darkest before the dawn,' or 'every cloud has a silver lining.' Talk about simple things that are in your experience, on the good things life has to offer. (Sorry, that was a platitude also.) Find a way to remind your listeners that they are the only one responsible for their attitudes and emotions, and isn't it more pleasant to be optimistic than pessimistic?