Name: ______________________
Dr. Martin Luther King Essay Writing Contest
DueThursday, November 8th, 2012.
Theme:Commemorating the March on Washington, D.C.:
Leading Social Change 50 Years Later.
Martin Luther King's Speech: 'I Have a Dream' By The Rev. MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr.
Aug. 28, 1963
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for
freedom in the history of our nation.
In my words…..
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow
we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This
momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions
of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering
injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of
captivity.
But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the
Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro
is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains
of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a
lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material
prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in
the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own
land. So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling
condition…
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on
the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the
process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of
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wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of
bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity
and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to
degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must
rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul
In my words…..
force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro
community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many
of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today,
have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our
destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our
freedom. We cannot walk alone.
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of
former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit
down together at a table of brotherhood…..
I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the
content of their character.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to
sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet
land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died,
land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let
freedom ring."
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ESSAY GUIDELINESRULES
The purpose of the Poster and Essay Contest is
to challenge students to think critically about Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and develop
goals that illustrate how they will help others
within their communities. Dr. King and many
other leaders in the American Civil Rights
Movement served as role models for achieving
equality through means of civility. Several
notable historical figures such as Mohandas
Gandhi, Henry David Thoreau, Ernest
Hemmingway, John F. Kennedy, and Leo
Tolstoy also shared in Dr. King’s philosophy of
advocating methods for nonviolent social
change.
1.
An entry form must be submitted with the
essay.
2.
The essay should be typed and double
spaced although neatly written essays will be
accepted.
3.
Essays should be no longer than four
pages, should include a bibliography on a
separate page for materials used in support of
the essay.
4.
The essay must reference the theme and
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
5.
Originality, creativity, relevance to
theme, and personal perspective, are the
criteria used for judging.
In our current society, students from a variety of
backgrounds are often faced with intimidating or
seemingly inescapable conditions each day.
Using Dr. King’s approach, how would you
demonstrate nonviolence or civility if confronted
with a similar type of situation? Please feel free
to share effective ways in which you either
overcame or could encourage others who may
face bullying, harassment, peer pressure,
various types of abuse, or any other major
challenges, etc.
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World Book Encyclopedia Note Page
Directions: As we read from World Book, take notes IN YOUR OWN WORDS of important dates, names, and
accomplishments.
Early Life (Growing Up)
Accomplishments
Later Life and Death
1.
2.
3.
March On Washington/“I Have a Dream” Speech
Detail:
Detail:
Detail:
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BrainPop Note Page
Directions: As you watch the video, take notes IN YOUR OWN WORDS of important dates, names, and accomplishments
that are NEW and not in your last notes.
Early Life (Growing Up)
Accomplishments
Later Life and Death
1.
2.
3.
March On Washington/“I Have a Dream” Speech
Detail:
Detail:
Detail:
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Biography.com Note Page
Directions: As you read the internet page, take notes IN YOUR OWN WORDS of important dates, names, and
accomplishments that are NEW and not in your last notes.
Early Life (Growing Up)
Accomplishments
Later Life and Death
1.
2.
3.
March On Washington/“I Have a Dream” Speech
Detail:
Detail:
Detail:
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Martin Luther KingOutline
Directions: Use your brainstorming packet to LIST some important details to include in your paper. Put
these events in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
First Paragraph
I. Martin Luther King’s Life
Topic Sentence: _____________________________________________________________
(Opinion Statement about MLK Jr.’s success)
A. Early Life (List events in order)
1._____________________________
2._____________________________
3.______________________________
4.______________________________
5.______________________________
6. _________________________________
B. Accomplishments (and dates if available)
1. ____________________________________
2.____________________________________
3._____________________________________
4.__________________________________
5.____________________________________
6._____________________________________
C. Death
1._____________________________
2. _____________________________
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Second Paragraph
II. March on Washington – “I Have a Dream” speech
Topic Sentence: _____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(Include the words “March on Washington” and “Martin Luther King Jr.” in this statement.)
A. Details of the March (in chronological Order)
*You may include one favorite quote from the “I Have a Dream” speech as a detail.
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3.______________________________
4.______________________________
5.______________________________
6. _________________________________
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Part III – Body
Body Paragraphs (2 total) :
Make a list of some LARGE, fundamental, basic problems in our
community or country? (This is something you deeply believe).
__________________________
_________________________
_________________________
__________________________
________________________
__________________________
Circle one problem and put it as the central idea in the graphic organizer
below.
Main ideas: Put the main points to show where your theme exists.
Details: Give examples of your points here.
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SIX STEPS OF NONVIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE –
(modified by Mrs. Gifford)
These are the steps to resolve conflict and social change as based on Dr. King’s teachings.
======
(1.) Information gathering and research to get the facts straight;
Don’t believe what other people say – find out the truth by researching for yourself.
(2.) Education of adversaries (those who are against you) and the public about the facts of
the dispute;
Others who are against you may not be able to see things from your side because they are
uninformed. It’s up to you to inform them.
(3.) Personal Commitment to nonviolent attitudes and action;
Don’t wait for someone else to take action. Make it your personal goal to be the one who makes
a difference.
(4.) Negotiation with adversary in a spirit of goodwill to correct injustice;
Do not do wrong when working with someone against you. Talk matters over to work out
differences between you.
(5.)Nonviolent direct action, such as marches, boycotts, mass demonstrations, picketing,
sit-ins etc., to help persuade or compel adversary to work toward dispute-resolution;
It’s not right to fight or shed blood over a disagreement. Resolving matters peacefully is best.
These examples above help your voice be heard without hurting anyone.
(6.) Reconciliation of adversaries in a win-win outcome in establishing a sense of
community.”
We are all in this together. We need to think about situations from all perspectives so that
everyone feels a part of the solution.
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Quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.
You MUST include one of these quotes* in your paper. Circle your favorite below:
A lie cannot live.
A riot is at bottom the language of the unheard.
Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.
At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.
I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is
right and that is good.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'
Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.
Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be... The
nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and
convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead,
and the unborn could do it no better.
* OR choose a quote from the “I Have a Dream” speech on the other page.
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Including Quotes:
Copy one quote from someone else to include in your paper(Given in class OR use your own):
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Write one quote by Dr. Martin Luther King to include in your paper. (See p. 1)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Putting it all together – Analyze a winning essay before filling in the blanks below.
Purpose (circle one):Persuade
Audience: _________________
Inform
Entertain
Tone: (circle one):: Formal
Informal
Title:Commemorating the March on Washington, D.C.:
Leading Social Change 50 Years Later.
Introductory Paragraph: Already completed. (See p. 3)
3rdParagraph:
Topic Sentence:
Introduce the central idea that needs to be changed: ( Sort of an ”I believe” statement)
___________________________________________________________________________
Include 2-3 reasons (details) why. (See web). **Include mostly facts here.**
1) _____________________________________________________
2)_____________________________________________________
3)_____________________________________________________
End with an opinion sentence to persuade the reader: (Write the sentence below):
____________________________________________________________________________
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4th Paragraph
Topic Sentence:
Introduce the idea; Explain how you will non-violently solve the problem you listed on the previous
page. (Use the Six Steps of Non-Violent Social Change for ideas).
_______________________________________________________________________________
Include 2-3 reasons (details) why. **Include mostly opinions here.**
1) _____________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________
End with an feeling sentence to persuade the reader: (Write the sentence below):
____________________________________________________________________________
5th Paragraph:Conclusion – tie up loose ends. Call to action. Refer back to Martin Luther King and
his overall vision for non-violent social change.
Topic Sentence: Reference Martin Luther King and March on Washington fifty years later:
____________________________________________________________________________
Tie Dr. Martin Luther King’s Goals in with your goals:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Leave the reader with a feeling:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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Rough Draft –
****Due Tuesday, November 6th at the end of class!!!*1) Write your essay on a blank sheet of
loose-leaf paper.
Suggested vocabulary
non-violent social change
passive
change
discrimination
worth
inequity
plan of action
legacy
goals
purpose
dignity
determination
achieve excellence
great challenge
2) Use as many of the suggested vocabulary below to write your paper.
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