Analyzing Famous Speeches

Recommended References:

American Rhetoric Website

http://americanrhetoric.com/

Barbara Jordan’s Speech

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarajordan1976dnc.html

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Speech

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

John F. Kennedy’s Speech

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkinaugural.htm

Assignment:

You will be listening to and reading three famous, patriotic speeches: John F. Kennedy-Inaugural Address, Martin Luther King Jr.-“I Have a Dream,” and Barbara Jordan-Democratic Convention Keynote Address. Annotate these speeches for rhetorical devices while listening and reading.

JFK

1. Kennedy uses antithesis (two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed) to begin the address. What does he compare? How does the antithesis reflect the time period?

2. Find, and write down the parallel structure in the fourth paragraph of Kennedy’s speech. Label the pauses in this paragraph.

3. Why do you believe, “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country” became the most remembered line of Kennedy’s speech? Explain how this line is an example of antimetabole.

MLK

1. A traditional characteristic of Black Baptist sermons is the generous use of metaphors. Find the metaphors in the first two paragraphs of “I Have a Dream”. In the third paragraph, King introduces another metaphor, which continues for two paragraphs. What is it? Why is it effective? Other techniques used by King are alliteration (dignity and discipline) and repetition. Find examples of these two techniques.

2. King used allusions to familiar songs, speeches, and the Bible. What are these allusions? Why are they effective? Ineffective?

3. What aspects of The American Dream is King referring to? What approach does he suggest to achieve this dream?

Barbara Jordan

1. Jordan uses anaphora (repetition of phrases) to add emphasis to the relationship between the American people. What phrase is repeated, and how is this effective?

2. Jordan uses several questions throughout her speech: some rhetorical, some not. Pick two of the best questions she asks and what you think the audience’s reaction would be.

3. Who does Jordan quote at the end of her speech? What does the quotation mean, and how is it relevant to Jordan’s speech?

Note: You may have to do some historical research to effectively answer all of these questions.