My speech

                                       Conformity

Have you ever agreed with someone even though they’re not right? Have you ever not done what you wanted to do just so you don’t stand out? Have you ever gone along with the crowd so that you’re not different? This is called conformity. Otherwise known as fitting in, not wanting to stand out or following the crowd. Conformity can make you forget that you are special and unique. You shouldn’t change that for the world. Firstly, let’s look at some everyday types of conformity - like following fashion. So, say your friend cruises into class wearing a mind blowingly crazy outfit which looks a bit ridiculous. She tells you that everyone on Instagram is wearing it and you notice others start to follow. BUT what do you know? You’re going to the store to buy the exact same outfit even though you know you’ll look like a prize turkey. It is so easy to be influenced by others because we always want to fit in, to be like everyone else. But, conformity is not ok when you change important things about yourself. Secondly, did you know that lots of research has been done on conformity? The famous Asch experiment showed that 75 percent of the students their gave an answer they knew to be wrong just to fit in with the group. 75%! That means that ¾ of us will change our opinions and ideas just to be like everyone else. It’s important to remember to be true to yourself and know which things to stand up for - even if it makes you ‘different’. We should always try to live up to our own dreams, form our own opinions, love what we love and feel good about the way we treat others. But there are some times when it is ok to conform. For example: If we all don’t conform with traffic lights and go when we see red... Absolute chaos. Having manners, you I can instantly know that this is a good way, is also conforming. How would we know if we liked something if we hadn't seen someone else wearing or doing it? Lastly, remember that everyone has a time when they conform its part of being human. I’ve learned, your listening and I hope that later on you will learn too. But just remember to not ever forget and let the things that are important to you wash away. You need to remember who you are. No one else chooses for you. Your you and everyone else is taken. The only part that counts is the inside not what you look like. You are beautiful just the way you are. As August’s sister Via says in the book Wonder: “You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out” 
Thank You


I loved writing my speech. I had already known what the topic was going to be from the start of the year. Sharing my speech in front of everyone was harder but I managed to get into the speech finals. I did not place but I had fun all the same.