Online Task 4

Speech

 
1. Think of at least 3 benefits of using speeches by famous figures, in the classroom.

• It has less grammatical error. So, students can make use of the speech to learn grammar and sentence structure.
• The language used is standard. 
• It can be a sample for students to write persuasive essay. They can learn many persuasive words and techniques which can make their essay more interesting. 
• It provides higher level of critical thinking skill. 
• It usually provides a lot of useful historical events, discussing global issues and inculcate moral values.

2. Go to www.youtube.com and find the audio-visual on the speech. In not less than 50 words, state would the audio-visual be of any use in helping understand the speech better? State your reasons.

    

     The audio-visual is definitely a useful device in helping understand the speech better. This is because 75% to 90% of all a human learns comes to him via the visual pathways. By using the audio-visual aid, students can see a lot of things that give extra information. For example, the speaker’s body language, eye contact, facial expressions, emotions and articulation. Thus, students can understand better the purpose of the speech. Furthermore, the audio-visual can attract the students’ attention to listen and focus. It also trains students to be active listeners through various responding.  

3. Who is Martin Luther King?
   

    Martin Luther King (January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968) was the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He was also a member of the executive committee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the leading organization of its kind in the nation. In 1957, he was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization formed to provide new leadership for the now burgeoning civil rights movement. Besides, he is the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

4. Based on the questions below, analyse the features of the given written speech:
a. What is the purpose of the speech?
    The purpose of the speech is to fight for black man's freedom and equality. He wanted to stop the racial discrimination in United States.

b. What is the tone of the speech?

    The tone of the speech is full of motivational, influential and passionate. It was delivery in a natural rhythm which can easily caught the intention of audiences.

c. What interesting major feature(s) can you see from the speech? (i.e.Repetition of 
    phrases, emphasis on certain things said etc)

    The interesting feature that I can see from the speech is anaphora, the repetition of phrases. Martin Luther King had repeated eight times "I have a dream" in his speech. Futhermore, he also repeated the phrases such as "One hundred years later", "Let freedom ring", "free at last", "Now is the time", " We can never be satisfied," and "With this faith". The repetition phrases also show emphasis. It makes the speech more memorable and more persuasive.

d. Any interesting facts that you can gather based on the background of the speech?

• Martin Luther King drew his references from a wide variety of sources, including the Bible, the US Declaration of Independence and Shakespeare.  
• As a result of the speech, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
• His teacher, Miss Lemon inspired him to fight for freedom and equality. 

5. Suggest a while-reading activity that can be derived from this particular speech. 
    Mind-mapping. Students list down the main ideas of the speech in chronological order using mind-map.