Reader questions and feedback on great speeches. Also refer to John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, Fidel Castro, Jesse Jackson, Barack Obama, format, vision, mission, politics, imagery, emotional appeal, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Great Speeches
Martin Luther King Dream
The following 15 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- How did King make his speech persuasive?
- What is the Emancipation Proclamation
- Why is King giving this speech?
- African fight for a fair share in global trade
- How does King's speech relate to dreams?
- Were King's speeches longer than 7 minutes?
- What was Dr. King trying to say?
- Mississippi
- Why did he use those specific states?
- Introduction and conclusion
How did King make his speech persuasive?
Question
September 30, 2009
What body of language did MLK use (I have a dream) to make his speech persuasive?
Would a written version be less persuasive? why or why not?
How may a writer create persuasive message without body language?
what word choice and tone did the speaker use?
what was the effect? did he use logic or emotion to persuade the audience?did you find the speech persuasive? why or why not?
angelee - USA
18411
Answer
You could say King used metaphors to get his point across. But I don't know if he was really trying to persuade people to take action or to change their views. Most of the people listening to him believed in what he believed. He was just telling about his dreams for the equality of all people and for peace.
What is the Emancipation Proclamation
Question
June 10, 2007
What is the Emancipation Proclamation the King mentions at the beginning of his speech? Who signed it?
thadsha - India
13908
Answer
The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln to free the slaves.
Why is King giving this speech?
Question
June 9, 2007
WHY IS KING GIVING THIS PARTICULAR SPEECH?
TO WHOM KING SPEAKING? HOW DOES THIS INFLUENCE THE CONTENT OF HIS SPEECH?
THADSHA - India
13902
Answer
He is giving the speech to inspire the people that are protesting for Civil Rights at the Lincoln Memorial.
African fight for a fair share in global trade
Question
August 26, 2006
Good mine is not a queston but a quick comment. I persoally consider the speech as a very great speech ever made which still have its impact felt accross the terrains of global culture, should serious delibration be granted it most especially by present age Africans. It just reflects the fight for the fair share to global trade.Indeed he was having a dream but as to whether poeple still have will materialize it in his absence? Thank you.
Jonathan - Ghana
11774
Answer
Martin Luther King was seeking harmony and equal opportunity among all people, especially his own race. The fight for a fair share in global trade among African nations is not hindered by a lack of opportunity as it is as a lack of economic strategy. China and India have had national strategies of education in manufacturing, such that they are now growing as leaders in the global economies. Other smaller countries, such as Ireland, have also emphasized education and have greatly increased their global trade. Leaders of African countries need to follow those examples. In this way, King's dream of equality can occur.
How does King's speech relate to dreams?
Question
February 2, 2006
how does MLK's speech'i have a dream' relate to the concept of dreams.and how effectively do you think he conveys his message?
anna - Australia
9908
Answer
The type of dream that King is talking about is not the type of dream a person has at night. Rather, it is a goal, hope or desire. It is like dreaming during the day of something you really want.
I think everyone got the idea that he was dreaming and hoping for racial equality.
Were King's speeches longer than 7 minutes?
Question
January 17, 2006
Did Martin Luther King ever deliver a speech that lasted longer than seven minutes?
Joe - USA
9705
Answer
Many of his speeches were much longer than 7 minutes. Typically, he spoke from 15 minutes to 1/2 hour. The famous "I Have a Dream" speech was only one part of a much longer speech that day.
What was Dr. King trying to say?
Question
September 27, 2005
what would you say Dr. king was saying/trying to teach in the i have a dream speech?
how could you relate that to informal education?
How can it be suitable to young people nowadays(teenagers)around the world not just in the usa?
P.s. Thank you for your time.
Lawrence - England
8315
Answer
Note that the "I have a dream" was only one part of his speech that day. He was saying how he dreamt that people of all races, religions and nationalities would be able to get along together. This is an important goal to learn and believe in. Unfortunately, some children are taught hatred for those who are different. Dr. King was trying to stop such views.
But many of the young people around the world do not accept the hatred of some adults, so they also dream of peace and cooperation.
Mississippi
Question
May 3, 2005
Why did King refer to Mississippi in his closing?
- USA
6857
Answer
Much of the civil rights movement had to do with problems in Mississippi.
Why did he use those specific states?
Question
February 21, 2005
Why did Martin Luther King use those specific states at the end?
- USA
6056
Answer
Those are distinctive mountains from states that people can recognize. Also, calling from a mountain is better than from a valley.
Introduction and conclusion
Question
October 24, 2004
How do you think the introduction and conclusion in the speech, it is effectiveness?
rao - Canada
4781
Answer
The introduction gets people's interest and the conclusion wraps things up. It goes full circle. Usually the conclusion is very dramatic.
Summary
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