Argument and Methods
Analyzing Speeches
SPI 3001.6.5 Synthesize information across two or more
informational or technical texts
Unit Essential Questions
How do three different leaders across
time imagine solutions to reach racial
equality?
 What methods do these speakers use to
build and support their arguments?
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Text 1
“I Have a Dream”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
August 28, 1963
1.1 Prior Knowledge & Build Background:
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Who is Martin Luther King, Jr.?
What do you know about him?
What do you know about his famous speech, “I Have a
Dream”?
Record you answers individually
Share with your group/then whole class discussion
Teacher records responses on board
Primary and Secondary sources graphic organizer/use
device to finish completing this activity.
Let’s share any new information.
Read Speech silently p. 269
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Please write down at least 10 vocabulary words you do
not know.
Create Word Wall
1.2 Comprehension:
What is an argument?
Argument - a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point:
 What is a claim?
Claim – a claim is an arguable statement or assertion made by the
author.
Let’s watch the “I Have a Dream” speech.
 Complete the Accounting for an Author’s Claim w.s using your speech
 What is King’s argument? Cite evidence supporting your answer.
Complete the Analyzing the Author’s Evidence w.s.
 Who is his audience and what does he want them to do?
 Complete the Author’s Purpose w.s. – refer to the word list
describing the author’s tone on the back
 Group discussion (discuss Accountable Talk)
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1.3 Structure
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How does King organize his speech?
How does each section advance his argument?
Chronological
Past – Present – ends the speech with a future vision
1.4 Author’s Methods:
What does it mean to be compelling?
Compelling - to have a powerful and irresistible effect,
influence, etc.
The next 3 method’s we will be discussing are what the author
uses to build and support his/her argument.
 What are methods?
 Methods are the strategies that authors use to develop their
arguments in ways that are appropriate for their audience.
 Examples: anecdotes, figurative language, rhetorical questions,
allusions, words and phrases that clarify relationships between
and among claims, counterclaims, reasons, evidence, etc.
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Figurative Language
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Language that is not meant to be taken literally and uses
figures of speech, to get across a point. Figurative language
can be expressed through similes, metaphors,
onomatopoeias, personification, hyperbole,
understatement, allusions, etc.
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Example #1: “The trees danced in the wind” is an example of
personification because trees cannot literally dance.
Personification is an example of a figure of speech.
Example #3: “Separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand” is an
example of a figure of speech as a simile in “The Atlanta
Compromise Address” (Washington).
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Author’s Methods:
What is a metaphor and simile?
 Let’s watch a Video clip on Similes and Metaphors
 Write your own definition of a simile and metaphor.
Simile – Comparing 2 unlike things using “like” or “as”.
For example – “This momentous decree came as a great
beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had
been seared in the flames withering injustice.”
Metaphor - Comparing 2 unlike things not using “like” or “as”
For example, when King compared the Emancipation
Proclamation to “a great beacon of hope” and to “a joyous
daybreak,” he was making the point that just as a beacon or
daybreak can bring light and hope, the Emancipation
Proclamation brought enlightenment and hope to millions of
slaves.
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Extended Metaphor
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Extended Metaphor - An extended metaphor is a
metaphor that extended to be longer than a sentence or
phrase. An extended metaphor could also be the use of a
single metaphor that occurs frequently throughout the
text. Review extended metaphor together.
You try! – Look through MLK speech and locate one
example of a simile. Write in table on back of notes.
Complete metaphor w.s in groups. Be read to share your
analysis of the metaphors.
Writing Assessment
Using your notes, write a complete paragraph for one
metaphor answering the following two statements:
 Identify the metaphor that you find most compelling to
King’s argument.
 Explain that metaphor and what you find most compelling
about it given King’s argument, purpose, and audience.
Alliteration and Personification
Alliteration – the repetition of initial consonant sounds.
Example – What a world of merriment their melody
foretells! (“The Bells” poem by Edgar Allan Poe)
You try! – Look through MLK speech and locate one
example of alliteration. Write in table.
 Personification – is a figure of speech in which an
animal, a thing, a force of nature, or an idea is described as
if it were human or is given human characteristics.
Example – “Dawn spread out her finger tips of rose.” (In
The Odyssey, Homer personifies dawn by giving it hands.
You try! – Look through MLK speech and locate the
example of personification. Write in table.
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What is the difference between illusion and
allusion?
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Let’ watch a couple of video clips of each and discuss the
differences.
Illusion - A mirage, hallucination, or a magic trick is an
illusion.
Allusion - An allusion is a reference, something you
allude (to refer casually or indirectly) to.
1.5 Author’s Methods: Allusion:
What is an allusion?
 An allusion is a reference to an artifact, be it a
person, place, thing, event, or quote. It must be well
known and identified by a large group of people, and it is
often a proper noun.
 Allusions draw upon the Bible, historical documents,
current events, patriotic songs, and spirituals.
Why is it important?
 Allusion connects the content of a text with the larger
world. Allusion calls to mind the ideas and emotions
associated with a well-known event or published work.
Those ideas and emotions then contribute to what the
author conveys.
 Let’s look at a few examples in a mini-lesson.
Let’s Practice Identifying
Examples of Allusion
It has rained so long, it seems as though it has rained for
40 days and nights.
 Harriet Tubman was called the Moses of her time.
 To act or not to act, that was Maria's dilemma.
 Sue did not want to endure Eve's curse, so she opted for
the epidural.
 The killer wore a mark of Cain as he stalked his brother.
 "The girl's love of sweets was her Achilles heel,"
 http://blog.flocabulary.com/allusion/
Let’s watch a quick video that gives allusions used in the
original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
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References to Famous Words &
Historical Figures & Events
In “I Have a Dream” Speech
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Emancipation
Proclamation
Gettysburg Address
America by Samuel F. Smith
Free at Last traditional Negro
spiritual
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Declaration of
Independence
Bible
References to Famous Words &
Historical Figures & Events
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Slavery
Governor of Alabama,
George Wallace
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States Rights
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Interposition: Refers to an asserted
right of U.S. states to protect their
individual interests from federal
violation or any abridgement of states'
rights deemed by those states to be
dangerous or unconstitutional
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Nullification: U.S. State has the right to
nullify, or invalidate, any federal law which
that state has deemed unconstitutional
Group Research
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Each group will be assigned a
paragraph that contains an
allusion in the “I Have a
Dream” speech.
You will be given a graphic
organizer to record you
answer.
Once you are finished be
ready to present your
findings to the class.
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Instructions:
Identify the allusion in
your paragraph.
Raise your hand when you
find it so I can check your
answer.
Use your device or the
computer to research
your allusion. What is
MLK referencing?
Discuss as a group why
MLK used this allusion in
his speech. Write down
your answer on your
graphic organizer.
Allusions
“justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a might
stream”
 “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal,”
 “governor having his lips dripping with the nullification,”
 “every valley shall be exalted together,”
 “My country ‘tis of thee… ring,”
 “fivescore years ago” alluding to Lincoln’s “Four score and
seven years ago.”
The opening sentence of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech is an
allusion to Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. He opens
up the same way as the address (“4 score and 7 years ago”)
and talks about President Lincoln in the rest of the sentence as
well. He does this to show that the same problem that was
discussed in the time is still going on today.
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1.5 Author’s Methods: Allusion:
Independent Practice:
Complete Allusion W.S. for homework.
Extended Writing:
Write a one paragraph response to the following research
statement.
 King makes several allusions in this speech. What was
your favorite allusion King uses and explain its role in his
argument.
Rhetorical Devices (refer to speech notes)
Rhetorical devices are techniques used by
speakers to achieve a particular effect,
especially to persuade or influence.
 There are 3 common types of rhetorical
devices.
1. Parallelism
2. Repetition
3. Rhetorical Questions
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Parallelism
Parallelism is used when a writer emphasizes
the equal value or weight of two or more
ideas by expressing them in the same
grammatical form.
 Example:
“… on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of
obligations, on faithful protection, on unselfish
performance…” (Roosevelt 506).
Watch BrainPOP on Parallel Structure
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Parallelism
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If you ever want to jazz up a crowd, use some parallelism in
your sentences. It will make people ready to fight…peacefully,
of course. It also makes the lines memorable, and perhaps
represents the equality of the people fighting together.
“Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to
South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana,
go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities,
knowing that somehow this situation can and will be
changed.”
“With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray
together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to
stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be
free one day.”
Let’s Practice Parallelism
Basically, you want to balance a noun with a noun, a
phrase with a phrase, and a clause with a clause.
Examples p. 461 in Holt Handbook
Not parallel
I am not much of an athlete, but I like softball, soccer, and
playing hockey. (two nouns and a phrase)
What is unbalanced?
Parallel
I am not much of an athlete, but I like softball, soccer, and
hockey. (three nouns)
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Let’s Practice Parallelism
Example:
Not Parallel
Dominic does not have enough time to play soccer, join the
debating team, and band. (two phrases and a noun)
What is unbalanced?
Parallel
Dominic does not have enough time to play soccer, to join
the debating team, and to participate in the band.
(three phrases)
Let’s Practice Parallelism
Example:
Not Parallel
He said that he would meet you at the soccer field and not
to be late. (clause and phrase)
What is unbalanced?
Parallel
He said that he would meet you at the soccer field and that
you should not be late. (two clauses)
You turn!
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P. 462 1-10 Holt Handbook
Bring balance to the following sentences by putting the
ideas in parallel form. Rewrite the sentence with the
correction.You may need to add or delete some words. If
a sentence is already correct, write C.
Hint: there are only 2 correct sentences.
Let’s practice the first one together.
You will have 10 minutes to complete this activity.
Rhetorical Question
Rhetorical Question – this kind of question is
asked for effect, but is not meant to be
answered.
 Get’s the audience thinking
 See example on p. 267
 "When will you be satisfied?"
Repetition
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Repetition – is a writer’s intentional reuse of a
sound, word, phrase, or sentence. Writers often
use repetition to emphasize ideas.
“If you have an important point to make,
don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a
pile driver. Hit the point once. Then
come back and hit it again. Then hit it a
third time – a tremendous whack.”
Winston Churchill
In other words….say it loud and clear
and again and again and….yes, again.
Notice how in his “I Have a Dream” speech,
Martin Luther King Jr. uses both
parallelism and repetition:
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"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."
Identify the Repetition
As you watch King’s speech, underline the words
and phrases that King repeats.Then, analyze how
King uses repetition by discussing the questions
below.Take notes on your conversation so that you
are prepared to share their ideas during the whole
group discussion.
 What do you notice about the words and phrases that
King repeats?
 How
do those words and phrases relate or link to
King’s argument and purpose?
Group Presentations
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Each group will share one paragraph that contains
repetition.
The group shares the words and phrases that they
identified
What they noticed/discussed about the words/phrases
that King repeats
How those word/phrases link to King’s argument and
purpose.
1.6 Author’s Methods: Repetition
Write a short one page essay answering the
following questions.
Study King’s use of repetition.
What does he repeat and for what purposes?
 How does his use of repetition link to and
advance his argument?
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Watch Speech
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SPI 3001.2.6 Determine the most effective methods of
engaging an audience during an oral presentation (e.g.,
making eye contact, adjusting speaking rate).
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Look for the effective methods King uses for engaging his
audience. Complete the worksheets.
Text 2 Speech
“Remarks to the Convocation of the
Church of God in Christ”
William J. Clinton
November 13, 1993
Prior Knowledge
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Who is William J. Clinton? What do you know about him?
Read Text
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Mark the text using the strategies we’ve discussed
Please write down at least 10 vocabulary words you do
not know.
Read the text aloud.
What is a thesis statement?
Let’s do a mini-lesson on how to identify and write a
thesis statement.
Antithesis (Rhetorical Device)
Antithesis, literal meaning opposite, is a rhetorical
device in which two opposite ideas are put together
in a sentence for achieving a contrasting effect.
Rhetoric
a. the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against
another to which it is opposed to form a balanced
contrast of ideas, as in “Give me liberty or give me
death.”
b. the second sentence or part thus set in opposition,
as “or give me death.”
Antithesis example
Example:
“Setting foot on the moon may be a small
step for a man but a giant step for
mankind.”
 Contrasting ideas of “a small step” and “a
giant step” are used in the sentence
above to emphasize the significance of
one of the biggest landmarks of human
history.
Common examples of Antithesis
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To err is human; to forgive, divine. (Pope)
It is easier for a father to have children than for children
to have a real father. (Pope)
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.
Man proposes, God disposes.
Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.
Speech is silver, but Silence is Gold.
Patience is bitter, but it has a sweet fruit.
Money is the root of all evils: poverty is the fruit of all
goodness.
You are easy on the eyes, but hard on the heart.
Anecdote (Rhetorical Device)
A very short story (usually a paragraph) used
to illustrate a point. Usually contains action &
dialogue and is longer than an example. Often
used in expository essays to develop an idea.
 Used in persuasive essays as one method of
developing pathos (emotional appeal). It can also
be used as a "hook" to draw a reader into a story.
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2.1 Comprehension
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Write a summary of Clinton’s speech. Include his
argument, the specific claims and counterclaims he makes,
and who his audience is.
2.2 Relationship Among Ideas:
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Identify and explain the claims you find most significant to
Clinton’s argument. How does he support each claim?
What is the relationship among the claims and between
the claims and counterclaims?
2.3 Author’s Methods:
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What methods does Clinton use to build and support his
argument? How does each advance his argument?
2.4 Drawing an Inference:
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What do you see as the main goal of Clinton’s speech?
Write an argument using claims and counterclaims that
are grounded in evidence from the speech to support
what you see as the main goal of his speech.
Watch the speech
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SPI 3001.2.6 Determine the most effective methods of
engaging an audience during an oral presentation (e.g.,
making eye contact, adjusting speaking rate).
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Look for the effective methods Clinton uses for engaging
his audience.
Text 3 Speech
“Ending Racial Inequality”
George W. Bush
NAACP Annual Convention
July 10, 2000
Prior Knowledge:
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Who is George W. Bush? What do you know about him?
What is the NAACP?
Read Text
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Mark the text using the strategies we’ve discussed
Please write down at least 10 vocabulary words you do
not know.
3.1 Comprehension:
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Write a summary of Bush’s speech. Include the specific
claims and counterclaims he makes, who his audience is,
and what he wants them to do.
3.2 Structure:
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How does Bush organize his speech? How does each
section advance his argument?
3.3 Author’s Methods:
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Compare two methods that Bush and another speaker
use. Explain how each uses these methods and argue for
which you find more effective given the speaker’s
argument, purpose, and audience.
3.4 Language:
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Reread paragraph 5. What is Bush saying and doing in this
paragraph? Imitate Bush’s writing by writing a paragraph
like this one using your own ideas.
Watch Speech - Engaging the Audience
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SPI 3001.2.6 Determine the most effective methods of
engaging an audience during an oral presentation (e.g.,
making eye contact, adjusting speaking rate).
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Look for the effective methods Bush uses for engaging his
audience.
SPI 3001.6.5 Synthesize information across
two or more informational or technical texts
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4.1 Comparing Texts:
Speaking almost 40 years after King, Bush says,
“Discrimination is still a reality, even when it takes
different forms.”
Compare the inequities or forms of discrimination
that each of the three speakers is speaking about.
What evidence and methods does each speaker use
to convince his audience of these inequities?
4.2 Comparing Texts:
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King, Clinton, and Bush all argue for ending racial
inequality.
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Compare their solutions and the claims, reasoning,
and methods they use for those solutions.