Req 6 — A Historic Speech

Throughout American history, leaders have used speeches to inspire, challenge, comfort, and unite the nation. The right words at the right moment can change the course of history. This requirement asks you to choose one of these speeches, study it deeply, and explain why it still matters.

Choosing Your Speech

First, get your counselor’s approval for the speech you want to study. Pick one that genuinely interests you. Here are some well-known speeches to consider — but you are not limited to this list:

• George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796) — Warned against political parties and foreign entanglements as he left office after two terms.
• Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (1863) — Redefined the meaning of the Civil War and the promise of equality in just 272 words.
• Frederick Douglass, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” (1852) — A powerful challenge to the nation to live up to its founding ideals.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address (1933) — “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” — spoken during the Great Depression.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” Speech (1941) — Asked Congress to declare war after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address (1961) — “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech (1963) — Called for racial equality and justice at the March on Washington.
• Ronald Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” Speech (1987) — Called on the Soviet Union to open the Berlin Wall.

How to Analyze Your Speech

Once you have chosen a speech, work through each part of the requirement. Here is a framework to guide your research:

Who the author was (6a): This is more than just a name. Learn about the person’s background. What was their role at the time? What experiences shaped their views? Why were they the person delivering this speech at this moment?

The historical context (6b): What was happening in the country and the world when this speech was given? Was there a war, an economic crisis, a social movement, or a political turning point? Understanding the context helps you understand why the speech mattered so much.

The nation’s difficulties (6c): What specific problems or challenges was the nation facing? Why did the speaker feel compelled to address the public? Was there a crisis of confidence, a threat to the nation’s values, or a need to rally people to action?

What the author said (6d): Summarize the main message of the speech. What was the speaker’s argument? What did they ask the audience to do, believe, or understand? You do not need to memorize the entire speech, but you should be able to explain its key points in your own words.

Why the speech is important (6e): How did this speech affect the nation? Did it change public opinion, lead to new policies, inspire a movement, or unify people during a crisis? Why do we still study it today?

A personally meaningful passage (6f): This is your chance to make a personal connection. Choose one or two sentences that really speak to you and explain why. There is no wrong answer — what matters is that you can articulate why those words resonate with you.

Making Your Speech Come Alive

When you discuss the speech with your counselor, think about how to make it vivid and engaging. Here are some ideas:

• Read a key passage aloud. Let your counselor hear the words the way the audience heard them.
• Show a timeline. Place the speech on a timeline with other events of the era to show the context.
• Compare it to today. Are the issues the speech addressed still relevant? How have things changed — or not changed — since then?
• Explain your personal connection. Why does this speech matter to you, specifically? Does it connect to your own values, experiences, or hopes for the country?

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