Write an essay explaining why it is important for someone to be themselves.
It is important to be yourself so that others can trust you and in order to learn to be more courageous.
Martin Luther King Jr. did not listen to others who told him he couldn’t be himself. He worked to lead
our country into a time when anyone could be themselves, not matter their skin color.
MLK also had to learn a great deal of courage while fighting for the privilege of being himself. He faced
many hateful words and actions, yet treated them with kindness.
Write an essay explaining why it is important to overcome difficulty in the face of adversity.
Overcoming difficulty is essential because it will make you a stronger person and it will inspire others
to also overcome.
During the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King learned strength while others attacked him. The
more resistance he met, the more determined he became to represent what was right.
Additionally, MLK inspired many people to fight alongside him. Without his leadership, they may never
have had the courage to face those who were wrong.
Write an essay explaining why it is important to get to know someone before forming an opinion about
them.
Getting to know someone is important because you don’t know their full story and because you may
end up identifying with them.
Martin Luther King had to fight for equal rights because others didn’t take the time to get to know
him. Rather than evaluating him on his actions and abilities, they judged him on his skin color.
Although it took many years, many Americans identify with MLK, what he stands for, and who he was.
During his own lifetime, others could have appreciated his work if they had only gotten to know
him better.
Write an essay explaining how actions are more powerful than words.
Actions may be more powerful than words because they require more follow-through and because
they are more costly.
A speech coming from Martin Luther King meant more than others because he was willing to do the
hard work of also boycotting and facing the discrimination with kindness and resolution. He
didn’t just tell others to work for equality; he did so himself.
MLK’s actions also cost him everything: he went to jail, was investigated by the FBI, and ultimately died
for his work. His actions, and even his death meant more to the civil rights movement because
they cost more than just saying words.
PROMPT
THESIS
CD #1
CD#2