A Eulogy to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Name______

By Robert F. Kennedy CHHS English 10 Date______

Now let’s apply what we learned from William Safire to another well known speech. Do Robert F. Kennedy’s words pass the Safire test?

TIP / QUESTIONS AND NOTES
Occasion / 1. What tragic event called out for these words of “uplift and release” from Robert Kennedy?
Forum / 2. Based on the introductory information, where might you infer this speech was given?
Shake Hands with the Audience / 3. Our textbook adapts the first portion of the speech which actually reads as follows below. Underline the portion in which Kennedy “shakes hands with his audience.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm only going to talk to you just for a minute or so this evening, because I have some -- some very sad news for all of you -- Could you lower those signs, please? -- I have some very sad news for all of you, and, I think, sad news for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world; and that is that Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight in Memphis, Tennessee.
4. Based on the introductory information, why were the people holding signs and why do you think he asked the audience to lower those signs?
Structure / 5. Once he has the audience’s attention, his first task is an unpleasant one—giving them the bad news about Dr. King’s death. What does Kennedy then say that fulfills one common purpose of a eulogy—to honor the dead?
6. Now Kennedy clearly identifies two ways in which the audience can react to Dr. King’s death. What are these two ways?
7. Kennedy now gives two personal details that relate directly to the current situation. Describe each of these.
a.
b.
8. Kennedy provides a shift when he says, “So I shall ask you tonight…” At this point, Kennedy explains what he wants his audience to do. What is that?
Pulse / 8. A good speech must have pulse. Kennedy makes use of anaphora—the repeated sentence beginning. Find at least 2 examples and write them below.
a.
b.
Purpose / 9. A great speech must have a worthy purpose. What do you see as Kennedy’s overall purpose in this speech? Is this worthy? Explain.
Phrase / 10. Memorable speeches require a catchy phrase. Identify one phrase or sentence from this speech that you feel is well said.
Theme / 11. If a friend asked you what this speech was about, how would you sum it up in a single sentence?
Thin Words / 12. Do you see any “fat words”? If so, what are they?
A Sense of Completion / 13. Safire encouraged the use of parallelism as a speech nears its end. In what way are the final comments parallel?
14. While Safire encourages us to raise the rafters, Kennedy’s speech ends more quietly. . Why would this be a more appropriate approach under the circumstances of this speech?
(Clue: think about the occasion, purpose, and theme)
Evaluate: Consider what we have learned about speech and rhetoric so far. How would you rate the quality of Kennedy’s remarks upon assassination of Dr. King?