“I Have a Dream” by martIn LutHer KIng Jr.
Vs.
“tHe baLLot or tHe buLLet” by maLcoLm X
Directions: Answer on your own paper. You may go in any order you please. Remember to number as
you go, so I can tell which one you are answering.
Answer at least 4 out of 6. COMPLETELY FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS.
1. Compare and Contrast
2. Debate!
3. Evaluate
A) Make a Venn Diagram or Double
Bubble. Compare and contrast the
two speeches.
Consider the following: tone of voice,
attitude toward white people, what
they want their listeners to do…,
rhetorical fallacies, quotes from…,
they both desire…, they both feel…,
etc.
4. You be the teacher!
Narrate the dialogue between Dr.
King and Malcolm X. What would
their argument sound like?
“Dr. King, the time for sit-ins is
over. It is time to act!” insisted
Malcolm X.
“Bloodshed is not the answer…”
Which speech do you prefer? Pick
one and explain why in about 4
sentences.
5. Who Said It?
6. Poem about MLK
Write four quiz questions about the
speeches. They must be upper-level
thinking questions! (Hard questions.)
Answer your own questions.
Look at the quotes below. Either
MLK or Malcolm X said each of
them. Your job is to figure out
who said what. You must explain
your thinking. See example on
board.
Look at “Martin Luther King” on
page 670.
A. Use three words to describe
MLK based on this poem. (The
words can’t be in the poem.)
B. What do you think the last two
lines mean?
C. What characteristics of MLK
does the photograph show?
Also, write about the other one.
What do you dislike about it?
Explain why in 2 or more
sentences.
Quotes for number 5.
A. We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive
is devoid of the power to love.
B. I believe in treating people right, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody
right who doesn't know how to return the treatment.
C. Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on
you, send him to the cemetery.
D. Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness
of destructive selfishness.