Discursos significativos: Descifrando el poder de la persuasión

WHAT STUDENTS WILL DO

In this interactive class, middle and high school students explore some of the most powerful and iconic speeches in history—speeches that moved nations, sparked movements, and changed minds. From Martin Luther King Jr. to Winston Churchill and beyond, each class unpacks how and why these words made such a lasting impact.


SKILLS THEY’LL BUILD

Through guided discussion and the SPACECAT method (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence, Choices, Appeals, and Tone), learners will build critical thinking, literary analysis, and discussion skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of the historical moments behind each speech.

Students will explore rhetorical and literary techniques, identify persuasive strategies, and reflect on how speeches use both logic and emotion to inspire action. Weekly topics stand alone, so students can join anytime and engage fully. This class supports academic growth in ELA, history, and communication—and encourages thoughtful, respectful conversation among curious learners.


CLASS FORMAT & MATERIALS

📄 PDF or video/audio links to each speech are shared the weekend before class.
✏️ Note sheets are available for learners who like to follow along or jot down thoughts.
🔍 Pre-reading is optional—students can come prepared or dive in fresh!


WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR

This class is a great fit for a wide range of learners, whether they’re outspoken or more reserved.
💬 Students can participate verbally or via the chat feature.
🎥 Cameras can be turned off after check-in.
🧠 No reading aloud or formal writing—just listening, thinking, and respectful discussion.


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Speeches are listed by week below:

Week of June 4:  "Perils of Indifference" by Elie Weisel

Week of June 11: "9/11 Address to the Nation" by George W. Bush

Week of June 18: "The Gettysburg Address" by Abraham Lincoln

Week of June 25: "We Are Virginia Tech" by Nikki Giovanni"

Week of July 2: "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July" by Fredrick Douglass

Week of July 9: "I Have a Dream" by MLK

Week of July 16: Steve Jobs Commencement Speech" by Steve Jobs

Week of July 23: "Lou Gherig's Farewell Speech" by Lou Gherig

Week of July 30: "Woman's Right to the Suffrage" by Susan B. Anthony

Week of August 6: "What it Takes to be Number One" by Vince Lombardi

Week of August 13: "Surrender Speech" by Chief Joseph

Week of August 20: "Space Shuttle Challenger Address" by Ronald Reagan
 
Week of August 27: no classes

Week of September 3: "Pearl Harbor Speech" by FDR

Week of September 10: "And the World is With Men" by John Steinbeck


Other speeches to be discussed include:

"Speech at the March on Washington" by Josephine Baker
"Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat" by Winston Churchill
"Purple is the Noblest Shroud" by Empress Theodora
"A More Perfect Union" by Barack Obama
"The Whiskey Speech" by Noah Sweat
"Aint I a Woman" by Sojourner Truth 
"Opening Address to the Day of Mourning Protest" by Jack Patten
"Women's Rights Are Human Rights" by Hillary Clinton
"Sport has the Power to Change the World" by Nelson Mandela
"A Plea for the Opressed" by Lucy Stanton
"Ghana is Free Forever" by Kwame Nkrumah
"Why Sit Ye Here and Die" by Maria Stewart
"First Inaugural Address" by FDR
"Tillbury Speech" by Queen Elizabeth the First
"Their Finest Hour" by Winston Churchill
"Critique on British Imperialism" by Aung San of Burma
"Inaugural Address" by JFK
"I Decline to Accept the End of Man" by William Faulkner
"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry