Still got a long way to go to finish this essay. So before I make any more mistakes (not sure if I'm on the right track? sounds pretty formulaic), please critique what I wrote! Thanks
In response to the increasing prevalence of volunteers in Australia, there has been much heated discussion of the significance of volunteering, as well as the need for volunteers to be recognised and valued. In her speech, Stephanie Bennett fervently contends the need to appreciate volunteers’ efforts, which her company does. Arguing in a different vein is Matthew Nguyen, who humbly asserts in his speech that volunteers do not need to be rewarded, whilst simultaneously promoting his organisation.
Bennett argues that Australians need to appreciate volunteers’ work. Volunteers are dubbed as “heroes” and as a “wonderful”. Such positive words accentuate their outstanding achievements and noble qualities. Thus, by likening volunteers to beings of godlike prowess and beneficence, readers are positioned to not simply dismiss their efforts and instead, admire and honour their special abilities. Moreover, the iteration of volunteers as “taken for granted” impresses upon readers that the value of volunteers is underestimated due to the expectation that volunteers will always be available to serve the community without thanks or recognition. Thus, Bennett challenges readers to consider the consequences stemming from a lack of appreciation to those who form the backbone of society. Furthermore, the repetition of “no-one” to undertake crucial tasks, such as saving lives, stresses that the role volunteers play in our society is paramount and must not be undermined. By conjuring up an image of a world without volunteers, Bennett seeks to perturb members of the community through this exaggerated hypothetical situation. However, Bennett juxtaposes Australians’ lack of regard for volunteers with Bigsplash, who treasure them. The alliteration “helping hand” emphasises the company’s contribution in fulfilling the need to prize volunteers, and thus their benevolence. In so doing, Bennett invites members of the public to commend her company’s altruistic and generous acts for the betterment of volunteer organisations.