Argument and Methods Analyzing Speeches SPI 3001.6.5 Synthesize information across two or more informational or technical texts

Unit Essential Questions

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How do three different leaders across time imagine solutions to reach racial equality? What methods do these speakers use to build and support their arguments?

Text 1

“I Have a Dream” Martin Luther King, Jr. August 28, 1963

1.1 Prior Knowledge & Build Background:

        Who is Martin Luther King, Jr.? What do you know about him? What do you know about his famous speech, “I Have a Dream”? Record you answers individually Share with your group/then whole class discussion Teacher records responses on board Primary and Secondary sources graphic organizer/use device to finish completing this activity.

Let’s share any new information.

Read Speech silently p. 269

  Please write down at least 10 vocabulary words you do not know. Create Word Wall

1.2 Comprehension:

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What is an argument?

Argument - a statement, reason , or fact for or against a point: 

What is a claim?

Claim – a claim is an arguable statement or assertion made by the author.

Let’s watch the “I Have a Dream” speech.

 Complete the Accounting for an Author’s Claim w.s using your speech   What is King’s argument? Cite evidence supporting your answer. Complete the Analyzing the Author’s Evidence w.s.

Who is his audience and what does he want them to do?

  Complete the Author’s Purpose w.s. – refer to the word list describing the author’s tone on the back Group discussion (discuss Accountable Talk)

1.3 Structure

    How does King organize his speech? How does each section advance his argument?

Chronological Past – Present – ends the speech with a future vision

1.4 Author’s Methods:

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What does it mean to be compelling?

Compelling - to have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc. The next 3 method’s we will be discussing are what the author uses to build and support his/her argument.

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What are methods?

Methods are the strategies that authors use to develop their arguments in ways that are appropriate for their audience. Examples: anecdotes, figurative language, rhetorical questions, allusions, words and phrases that clarify relationships between and among claims, counterclaims, reasons, evidence, etc.

Figurative Language

   Language that is not meant to be taken literally and uses figures of speech, to get across a point. Figurative language can be expressed through similes, metaphors, onomatopoeias, personification, hyperbole, understatement, allusions, etc.

Example #1: “The trees danced in the wind” is an example of personification because trees cannot literally dance. Personification is an example of a figure of speech. Example #3: “Separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand” is an example of a figure of speech as a simile in “The Atlanta Compromise Address” (Washington).

Author’s Methods:

  What is a metaphor and simile? Let’s watch a Video clip on Similes and Metaphors  Write your own definition of a simile and metaphor.

Simile – Comparing 2 unlike things using “like” or “as”.

For example – “This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames withering injustice.” Metaphor - Comparing 2 unlike things not using “like” or “as” For example, when King compared the Emancipation Proclamation to “a great beacon of hope” and to “a joyous daybreak,” he was making the point that just as a beacon or daybreak can bring light and hope, the Emancipation Proclamation brought enlightenment and hope to millions of slaves.

Extended Metaphor

   Extended Metaphor - An extended metaphor is a metaphor that extended to be longer than a sentence or phrase. An extended metaphor could also be the use of a single metaphor that occurs frequently throughout the text. Review extended metaphor together.

You try! – Look through MLK speech and locate one example of a simile. Write in table on back of notes.

Complete metaphor w.s in groups. Be read to share your analysis of the metaphors.

Writing Assessment

Using your notes, write a complete paragraph for one metaphor answering the following two statements:  Identify the metaphor that you find most compelling to King’s argument.  Explain that metaphor and what you find most compelling about it given King’s argument, purpose, and audience.

Alliteration and Personification

 Alliteration – the repetition of initial consonant sounds. Example – What a world of merriment their melody foretells! (“The Bells” poem by Edgar Allan Poe) You try! – Look through MLK speech and locate one example of alliteration. Write in table.

 Personification – is a figure of speech in which an animal, a thing, a force of nature, or an idea is described as if it were human or is given human characteristics.

Example – “Dawn spread out her finger tips of rose.” (In The Odyssey, Homer personifies dawn by giving it hands.

You try! – Look through MLK speech and locate the example of personification. Write in table.

What is the difference between illusion and allusion?

   Let’ watch a couple of video clips of each and discuss the differences. Illusion - A mirage, hallucination, or a magic trick is an

illusion.

Allusion - An allusion is a reference, something you allude (to refer casually or indirectly) to.

1.5 Author’s Methods: Allusion:

What is an allusion?

 An allusion is a reference to an artifact, be it a person, place, thing, event, or quote. It must be well known and identified by a large group of people, and it is often a proper noun.

 Allusions draw upon the Bible, historical documents, current events, patriotic songs, and spirituals.

Why is it important?

 Allusion connects the content of a text with the larger world. Allusion calls to mind the ideas and emotions associated with a well-known event or published work. Those ideas and emotions then contribute to what the author conveys.  Let’s look at a few examples in a mini-lesson.

Let’s Practice Identifying Examples of Allusion      It has rained so long, it seems as though it has rained for 40 days and nights. Harriet Tubman was called the Moses of her time.

To act or not to act, that was Maria's dilemma.

Sue did not want to endure Eve's curse, so she opted for the epidural. The killer wore a mark of Cain as he stalked his brother.   "The girl's love of sweets was her Achilles heel," http://blog.flocabulary.com/allusion/ Let’s watch a quick video that gives allusions used in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

References to Famous Words & Historical Figures & Events In “I Have a Dream” Speech

    Emancipation Proclamation Gettysburg Address

America

by Samuel F. Smith

Free at Last

spiritual traditional Negro   Declaration of Independence Bible

References to Famous Words & Historical Figures & Events

  Slavery Governor of Alabama, George Wallace   States Rights Interposition: R efers to an asserted right of U.S. states to protect their individual interests from federal violation or any abridgement of states' rights deemed by those states to be dangerous or unconstitutional  Nullification: U.S. State has the right to nullify, or invalidate, any federal law which that state has deemed unconstitutional

Group Research

   Each group will be assigned a paragraph that contains an allusion in the “I Have a Dream” speech. You will be given a graphic organizer to record you answer.

Once you are finished be ready to present your findings to the class.

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2.

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Instructions: Identify the allusion in your paragraph.

Raise your hand when you find it so I can check your answer.

Use your device or the computer to research your allusion. What is MLK referencing?

Discuss as a group why MLK used this allusion in his speech. Write down your answer on your graphic organizer.

Allusions

   “justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a might stream” “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” “governor having his lips dripping with the nullification,”   “every valley shall be exalted together,” “My country ‘tis of thee… ring,”  “fivescore years ago” alluding to Lincoln’s “Four score and seven years ago.” The opening sentence of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech is an allusion to Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. He opens up the same way as the address (“4 score and 7 years ago”) and talks about President Lincoln in the rest of the sentence as well. He does this to show that the same problem that was discussed in the time is still going on today.

1.5 Author’s Methods: Allusion: Independent Practice:

Complete Allusion W.S. for homework.

Extended Writing:

Write a one paragraph response to the following research statement.

 King makes several allusions in this speech. What was your favorite allusion King uses and explain its role in his argument.

Rhetorical Devices (refer to speech notes)   Rhetorical devices are techniques used by speakers to achieve a particular effect, especially to persuade or influence.

There are 3 common types of rhetorical devices.

1. Parallelism 2. Repetition 3. Rhetorical Questions

Parallelism

  Parallelism is used when a writer emphasizes the equal value or weight of two or more ideas by expressing them in the same grammatical form.

Example: “… on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection, on unselfish performance…” (Roosevelt 506).

Watch BrainPOP on Parallel Structure

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Parallelism

If you ever want to jazz up a crowd, use some parallelism in your sentences. It will make people ready to fight…peacefully, of course. It also makes the lines memorable, and perhaps represents the equality of the people fighting together.

“Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.” “With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”

Let’s Practice Parallelism

 Basically, you want to balance a noun with a noun, a phrase with a phrase, and a clause with a clause. Examples p. 461 in Holt Handbook

Not parallel

I am not much of an athlete, but I like softball, soccer, and playing hockey. (two nouns and a phrase) What is unbalanced?

Parallel

I am not much of an athlete, but I like softball , soccer , and hockey . (three nouns)

Let’s Practice Parallelism

Example:

Not Parallel

Dominic does not have enough time to play soccer, join the debating team, and band. (two phrases and a noun) What is unbalanced?

Parallel

Dominic does not have enough time to play soccer, to join the debating team , and to participate in the band . (three phrases)

Let’s Practice Parallelism

Example:

Not Parallel

He said that he would meet you at the soccer field and not to be late. (clause and phrase) What is unbalanced?

Parallel

He said that he would meet you at the soccer field and that you should not be late. (two clauses)

You turn!

     P. 462 1-10 Holt Handbook Bring balance to the following sentences by putting the ideas in parallel form. Rewrite the sentence with the correction. You may need to add or delete some words. If a sentence is already correct, write C. Hint: there are only 2 correct sentences.

Let’s practice the first one together. You will have 10 minutes to complete this activity.

Rhetorical Question

  Rhetorical Question – this kind of question is asked for effect, but is not meant to be answered.  Get’s the audience thinking See example on p. 267 "When will you be satisfied?"

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Repetition

Repetition – is a writer’s intentional reuse of a sound, word, phrase, or sentence. Writers often use repetition to emphasize ideas.

“If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time – a tremendous whack.”

Winston Churchill In other words….say it loud and clear and again and again and….yes, again.

Notice how in his “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. uses both parallelism and repetition :  " But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free hundred years later , . One hundred years later of segregation and the chains of discrimination . One poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material , the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles the Negro lives on a lonely island of prosperity . One hundred years later himself an exile in his own land.

, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition."

Identify the Repetition

As you watch King’s speech, underline the words and phrases that King repeats. Then, analyze how King uses repetition by discussing the questions below. Take notes on your conversation so that you are prepared to share their ideas during the whole group discussion.

 What do you notice about the words and phrases that King repeats?  How do those words and phrases relate or link to King’s argument and purpose?

Group Presentations

    Each group will share one paragraph that contains repetition. The group shares the words and phrases that they identified What they noticed/discussed about the words/phrases that King repeats How those word/phrases link to King’s argument and purpose.

1.6 Author’s Methods: Repetition

Write a short one page essay answering the following questions.

Study King’s use of repetition.   What does he repeat and for what purposes? How does his use of repetition link to and advance his argument?

Watch Speech

 SPI 3001.2.6 Determine the most effective methods of engaging an audience during an oral presentation (e.g., making eye contact, adjusting speaking rate).

 Look for the effective methods King uses for engaging his audience. Complete the worksheets.

Text 2 Speech “Remarks to the Convocation of the Church of God in Christ” William J. Clinton November 13, 1993

Prior Knowledge

 Who is William J. Clinton? What do you know about him?

Read Text

  Mark the text using the strategies we’ve discussed Please write down at least 10 vocabulary words you do not know.    Read the text aloud. What is a thesis statement? Let’s do a mini-lesson on how to identify and write a thesis statement.

Antithesis (Rhetorical Device)

Antithesis, literal meaning opposite, is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence for achieving a contrasting effect .

Rhetoric

a. the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in “Give me liberty or give me death.” b. the second sentence or part thus set as “or give me death.” in opposition,

Antithesis example

Example:

“Setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man but a giant step for mankind.”  Contrasting ideas of “a small step” and “a giant step” are used in the sentence above to emphasize the significance of one of the biggest landmarks of human history.

Common examples of Antithesis

         To err is human; to forgive, divine. (Pope) It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. (Pope) Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.

Man proposes, God disposes.

Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.

Speech is silver, but Silence is Gold.

Patience is bitter, but it has a sweet fruit.

Money is the root of all evils: poverty is the fruit of all goodness.

You are easy on the eyes, but hard on the heart.

Anecdote (Rhetorical Device)

  A very short story (usually a paragraph) used to illustrate a point. Usually contains action & dialogue and is longer than an example. Often used in expository essays to develop an idea. Used in persuasive essays as one method of

developing pathos (emotional appeal). It can also

be used as a "hook" to draw a reader into a story.

2.1 Comprehension  Write a summary of Clinton’s speech. Include his argument, the specific claims and counterclaims he makes, and who his audience is.

2.2 Relationship Among Ideas:

 Identify and explain the claims you find most significant to Clinton’s argument. How does he support each claim? What is the relationship among the claims and between the claims and counterclaims?

2.3 Author’s Methods:

 What methods does Clinton use to build and support his argument? How does each advance his argument?

2.4 Drawing an Inference:

 What do you see as the main goal of Clinton’s speech? Write an argument using claims and counterclaims that are grounded in evidence from the speech to support what you see as the main goal of his speech.

Watch the speech

 SPI 3001.2.6 Determine the most effective methods of engaging an audience during an oral presentation (e.g., making eye contact, adjusting speaking rate).

 Look for the effective methods Clinton uses for engaging his audience.

Text 3 Speech “Ending Racial Inequality” George W. Bush NAACP Annual Convention July 10, 2000

Prior Knowledge:

 Who is George W. Bush? What do you know about him? What is the NAACP?

Read Text

  Mark the text using the strategies we’ve discussed Please write down at least 10 vocabulary words you do not know.

3.1 Comprehension:

 Write a summary of Bush’s speech. Include the specific claims and counterclaims he makes, who his audience is, and what he wants them to do.

3.2 Structure:

 How does Bush organize his speech? How does each section advance his argument?

3.3 Author’s Methods:

 Compare two methods that Bush and another speaker use. Explain how each uses these methods and argue for which you find more effective given the speaker’s argument, purpose, and audience.

3.4 Language:

 Reread paragraph 5. What is Bush saying and doing in this paragraph? Imitate Bush’s writing by writing a paragraph like this one using your own ideas.

Watch Speech - Engaging the Audience

 SPI 3001.2.6 Determine the most effective methods of engaging an audience during an oral presentation (e.g., making eye contact, adjusting speaking rate).

 Look for the effective methods Bush uses for engaging his audience.

SPI 3001.6.5 Synthesize information across two or more informational or technical texts 

4.1 Comparing Texts: Speaking almost 40 years after King, Bush says, “Discrimination is still a reality, even when it takes different forms.” Compare the inequities or forms of discrimination that each of the three speakers is speaking about. What evidence and methods does each speaker use to convince his audience of these inequities?

4.2 Comparing Texts:

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King, Clinton, and Bush all argue for ending racial inequality.

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Compare their solutions and the claims, reasoning, and methods they use for those solutions.