Ohio Standards Connections:

Communications:

Oral and Visual

 

Benchmark B

Evaluate the clarity, quality, effectiveness and overall coherence of a speaker'’ key points, arguments, evidence, organization of ideas, delivery, diction, and syntax.

 

 

Benchmark C

Select and use effective speaking strategies for a variety of audiences, situations, and purposes.

 

 

Benchmark E

Give informational presentations that contain a clear perspective; present ideas from multiple sources in logical sequence; and include a consistent organizational structure.

 

Lesson Summary:

The students will analyze the types of arguments used by speakers, critique the clarity, effectiveness and overall coherence of the speaker’s key points, and evaluate how language choice impacts the audience.


Estimated Duration:

4-5 days  (Class periods – 43 minutes)

 

Commentary:

 


Pre-Assessment:

The students will view a videotape of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering his most famous speech, “I Have a Dream.”  They will then fill out a questionnaire about the speech.  This questionnaire will ask them to evaluate the effectiveness of the speech in terms of its message and its delivery. We will then have a group discussion comparing the students’ impressions of the speech.

 

Post-Assessment:

Assessment is based on the rubrics.

Scoring Guidelines:


Instructional Procedures:

After viewing and discussing the “I Have a Dream” speech, students will choose a speech from American history and:

·        Research the speech, including the speaker, the circumstances of its delivery, and the historical context.  All information will be properly documented according to the MLA guidelines.

·        Interpret and analyze the speech, and use the analysis to write an informative essay.  Use the project assessment sheet as a guide.

·        Deliver the speech in class, including a brief summary of the most important points of the analysis.  A separate assessment rubric will be use as part of the assignment.


Differentiated Instructional Support

Adaptations for students will be made as needed.


Extension

Students will apply their knowledge in all situations in which they are listening to speeches, from those of the high school principal to those of the President of the U.S.


Homework Options and Home Connections

After the introduction the lesson on analyzing speeches, the students will take home a printed copy of the speech to read and analyze. 

Any research or preparation not completed at school will need to be done at home.


Interdisciplinary Connections

This speech unit could be completed in conjunction with a social studies class, since one requirement is that students analyze historical context of the speech, including the events leading up to the speech and the impact of the speech (if any) on history.


Materials and Resources:

For teachers

Videotape of “I Have a Dream” delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Pre-assessment questionnaire.

Print copy of “I Have a Dream” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Speech project description

Assessment rubrics

 

For students

Print copy of “I Have a Dream” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Study questions for “I Have a Dream.”

Speech project description

Assessment rubrics

 


Key Vocabulary

Rhetorical devices (parallelism, repetition, rhetorical question,etc.)

Figurative language  and sound devices (alliteration, assonance, metaphor, simile, personification, rhyme, etc.)


Technology Connections

 

Students will use the Internet to locate appropriate speeches and to research the author and the historical context of the speech.


General Tips


Attachments

Assessment rubric