Final Essay on MLK and Malcolm

Your final assignment from last week's blog and the in class assignments will be to write an essay answering the central question, " Were Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.'s messages as different as people often portray them? Using the biography information, analysis of their speeches from the blog last week and in class videos, and other documents support your conclusions.  You should set up your essay with a thesis and textual support.  I expect to see specifics in your essay. This will be your blog for the week and due on Thursday by 4:00 instead of Wednesday.

Converging Ideas

This week we are examining a few different speeches by two men working for Civil Rights.  Below are two speeches to watch.  I would like you to listen to their words.  Instead of our usual analysis of the speeches, I would like to know what you know about Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.  I would also like you to listen to these two speeches and then based on what they are saying write what they have in common and what is different about their messages.  In class we will also examine a few more of their speeches and continue comparing and contrasting these to men and their ideas on Civil Rights.  Remember to think about their intended audience and what techniques they use to build their ethos, logos and pathos.

Transcript for "Where Do We Go From Here Speech"

Transcript for "I have a Dream Speech"

The transcript for this speech is in the show more info below the speech on Youtube.

Transcript for "Ballots and Bullets" Speech Below is the complete speech, we only will listen to a few excerpts from the speech.  Listening to the full speech is optional and you do not have to listen to the full speech.

Sonia Shah: 3 Reasons We Still Haven’t Gotten Rid of Malaria

After watching this informative speech analyze her techniques and what she did well in presenting her information.  This is the next type of speech you will be doing for class.  Be sure to note things you might be able to emulate in your own speech.

* Be sure to read previous comments I have left for you, so you can correct things that may be costing your points.

Blog Post Week 2 Steve Jobs Speech

We have heard a lot about story telling in speeches.  Steve Jobs uses the story telling technique to make some great points in this graduation speech. Use your analysis tools to write your analysis of this graduation speech. Listen carefully and be a great audience.  You will definitely learn a few things from this speaker.

Blog 1: Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids

We watched this video together as a class.  I would like you to analyse and critique this speech on your own now. Use the handouts on how to analyse a speech to help you take notes. As you watch the speech again.  Then use your handout on how to write a critical analysis of a speech to help you write your critique of Adora Svitak's speech.
A few simple reminders to help you:

 -What do you like about this speech?
 -  Is it necessary? Why or Why not?
 - What were key points did she/he use? What techniques did the speaker use? Were these techniques effective? Why or why not?
 - How ethical was the speech? Did you find the speaker believable? What techniques did the speaker use to gain our trust? Were they effective? Why or why not?
 -What do you dislike about this speech?
-  Is it necessary? Why or why not?
-  What is the most powerful moment in the speech as a listener? Why?
- What is the least interesting moment in this speech as a listener? Why?
-What was the purpose of the speech? Did the speaker do an effective job? What did she/he do well? What could she/he have improved upon?
-What can we learn from this speaker and their  speech techniques?

When writing your analysis be sure you use precise language to describe with examples from the clip.

Welcome!

Welcome to Speech and Debate! 
The purpose of this class is to help you develop solid thinking skills as well as learning how to most effectively speak in public. I hope this semester you will know what you believe and why, that you will be able to analyse media and other spoken communication to disseminate what is truly being said and why.

 Therefore we will learn to:
Examine the underlying premise of a position
Learn to locate the values/mindset and assumptions behind positions expressed by others
Articulate your position clearly & persuasively
I believe that students who have the thinking skills to analytically process the ideas they are confronted with in our culture, are better equipped to stand firmly for what they believe when challenged by opposing worldviews.

Most often you will have speeches to watch, analyse and respond to for your blog assignments.  Occasionally there may be other prompts or activities for which you will be required to respond.
Your posts will be due on Wednesdays at 4:00pm. Your first post will be due on September 4.