The Power of Speech Subject: Language Arts Grade: 9-12

Brief Description

Students prepare and deliver a speech on equal rights.

Objectives

Students explore equal rights issues as they practice the skills necessary for public speaking.

Keywords

equal rights, women, speech, persuasion, women's history

Materials Needed

• copies of speeches on women's rights issues, such as Sojourner Truth's Speech to the Akron Convention, 1851, Anna Howard Shaw's 1915 speech about suffrage, or Hillary Rodham Clinton's Remarks to the 1995 U.N. World Conference on Women
• resources on writing and delivering persuasive speeches such as Persuasive Speaking or Public Speaking Website
• writing paper
• pens or pencils

Lesson Plan

• Locate two or three speeches on women's issues, particularly speeches delivered by women. Ask for volunteers to read those speeches aloud to the class.
• Discuss the main point of each speech, and brainstorm with students why the speeches were effective. Ask the following questions:
  1. What was the speaker's goal?
  2. What are the main points of the speech?
  3. How does the structure of the speech help the speaker make the argument?
  4. How does the speaker try to make the reader care?
  5. How does the speaker use evidence?
  6. What kinds of sources does the speaker use?
• Have students research issues related to women's rights. Then have each student use the results of his or her research to write a speech designed to sway, or persuade, others to a particular opinion.
• Ask students to deliver their speeches to the class.

Assessment

Evaluate students on the content and presentation of their speeches.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Linda Starr

National Standards

Social Sciences:
  NSS-WH.5-12.7
  NSS-WH.5-12.8

Social Sciences:
  NSS-USH.5-12.9

Language Arts:
  NL-ENG.K-12.4
  NL-ENG.K-12.5
  NL-ENG.K-12.7
  NL-ENG.K-12.8
  NL-ENG.K-12.11
  NL-ENG.K-12.12