HOPE L10 Handout MLKSpeechQuest Exemplar PDF

“
I Have a Dream”Guided Reading
(First reading – vocabulary & literary devices)
A march on Washington _
1. What was the occasion for this speech? _____ ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
_
Read the beginning of King’s speech, from “I am happy to join with you today…” to “…long night of captivity.
2. What metaphors does Dr. King use? a fire
He compares slavery to ____________ _
________________________,
the
beacon
Emancipation Proclamation to _________a __ _
_________________ and slavery to _______a long night of
captivity_______________________.
Read the paragraph that begins “But one hundred years later…” to “… finds himself an exile in his own land.”
3. What is segregation? ___
Setting a group apart from another
_
_____________________________________________
__Treating a person with specific prejudice because of a characteristic.
4. What is discrimination? ____
_____________
➢ 5. What metaphors does Dr. King use? ___
_
_”manacles of segregation and “ chains of discrimination”
Read the following section which begins “And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition” and ends
with “… that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”
➢ 6. What metaphors does Dr. King use? __________He compares the lack of freedom to an uncashed check
and the promise of the Declaration of Independence as a “promissary note”; “bank of justice”.
Read the next paragraph: “We have also come to this hallowed spot” to “Now is the time to make justice a reality for
all of God’s children.”
7. Why is “Now” capitalized? __
To emphasize the idea that it is important for things to happen now.
8. What do you suppose “gradualism” is?
____
Allowing something to slowly take place

➢ 9. What metaphors does Dr. King use? ________ _”tranquilizing drug of gradualism” ; “dark and desolate
valley of segregation” ; “quicksands of injustice”; “solid rock of brotherhood”;
Read the next section from “It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment” ending with “The
whirlwind of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.”
➢ 10. What metaphors does Dr. King use? ” s
weltering summer...discontent”; invigorating autumn of freedom
and equality”; “whirlwinds of revolt”; “bright day of justice”.
Read from “But there is something that I must say…” through “We cannot walk alone.”
➢ 11. What metaphors does Dr. King use? _________ ”palace of justice”; “cup of bitterness and hatred”;
“majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force”
__________________________________________
Next, read from “And as we walk, we must make the pledge…” through "justice rolls down like waters, and
righteousness like a mighty stream."
The Bible_____
12. Where do you think the quote came from? _________
Read the paragraph “I am not unmindful…” to “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my
friends.”
➢ 13. What metaphors does Dr. King use?
”storms of persecution”; “winds of police brutality”; “valley of
despair”
Read “And so even though we face the difficulties of today…” to “that all men are created equal.”
14. Where do you think the quote came from? _
Declaration of Independence
Read from “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia” to “… join hands with little white boys and white
girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today!”
15. What do you suppose “interposition” and “nullification” mean in this context? __
They are examples of how the
governor of Alabama refused to give African American citizens equal rights.
Read from “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted...” through “knowing that we will be free one
day.”
16. Where do you think the quote came from?
_The Bible
___________________________

➢ 17. What metaphors does Dr. King use?
”mountain of despair”; “stone of hope”; “jangling discords of our
nation”; “beautiful symphony of brotherhood”
Read the rest of the speech.
18. What phrase does Dr. King repeat in this section?
Let freedom ring.
_______________________________
19. Where do you think the first quote came from? ____
_A national anthem_____
_____________________
20. What is a “Negro spiritual”?_
A religious spiritual song sung by slaves_
21. What does the ending mean? _ _______African American people will finally achieve equal rights

22. What message did you understand from this first reading? ______King is attempting to impress upon his
audience the necessity of achieving equal rights for all people by working together now.

“I Have a Dream”Guided Reading
(Second Reading – Meaning)
Read the beginning of the speech until “end the long night of their captivity.”
1. Who was this “great American”? ____
Abraham Lincoln
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the Emancipation Proclamation? ____
Lincoln’s proclamation that freed slaves. ___
______
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What are “the flames of withering injustice”? ____
racism and prejudice__
_____
4. Paraphrase this section into your own words:
Dr. King asserts that he is happy to be give his speech and fight
for freedom in the same location Abraham Lincoln gave a the Emancipation Proclamation to help slaves years
ago.
Read from “But one hundred years later…” to “an exile in his own land.”
5. Using your knowledge of history, why does Dr. King say that “the Negro…finds himself an exile in his own
land”? ___Dr. King is arguing that the slaves were never truly free as African American citizens were never
given equal civil rights.
6. Paraphrase this section into your own words:_ Dr. King asserts that African American citizens are not given
the same rights as white citizens and thus are still slaves in their native America.
Read from “And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition” to "…the riches of freedom and
the security of justice."
7. What is this “check” that Dr. King refers to? ______
the promise of equality given to all American citizens
8. How has America defaulted on this check? ___
not all American citizens have been given equal rights

9. Paraphrase this section into your own words:_
Dr. King asserts that it is time for America to ensure that all of
its citizens are given equal rights.

Read from “We have also come to this hallowed spot…” to “ make justice a reality for all of God's children.”
10. Who is Dr. King addressing to in this section (what race)?
White Americans.

11. What is the main idea in this section?
Equal rights must be given to all Americans now. There is no time for
waiting or making excuses.
Read from “It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.” To “the bright day of
justice emerges.”
12. Who is Dr. King addressing to in this section?
Racist people who resist the civil rights movement.
13. What does this section mean? Only bad things will happen if American continues to ignore the need for
equal civil rights for all of its citizens.
Read from “But there is something that I must say to my people…” to “ meeting physical force with soul
force.”
14. Who is Dr. King addressing in this section?
African Americans
15. What is Dr. King’s message in this section?
The fight for civil rights must be done in a nonviolent and
disciplined manner in order to be successful.
Read from “The marvelous new militancy…” to “We cannot walk alone.”
16. What is Dr. King’s message in this section?
White citizens and African American citizens must work
together to achieve equal rights. They cannot be achieved unless both races work together.
Read from “And as we walk…” to "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."
17. Paraphrase this section into your own words: The need for equal rights will not be satisfied until all of the
racist policies in America are ended and justice is given to all.
Read from “I am not unmindful…” to “I say to you today, my friends.”
18. Who is Dr. King addressing to in this section?
Those who have suffered as a result of fighting for equality.
19. What is Dr. King’s message for the intended audience? They must continue to fight for equal rights and go
back to face adversity, knowing that they can help enact change. They also must not succumb to despair
because of their situation.
Read from “And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow…” to “all men are created
equal.”
20. What “American Dream” is Dr. King talking about?
The dream of earning a home and family.
21. How could America live out the meaning of this creed?
Treat all men equally.
Read from “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia…” to “This is our hope.”
22. In your own words, explain the “dream” that Dr. King has:
Dr. King essentially dreams for equality for
African American citizens which would mean that racist politicians would be silenced, white children and black
children can play together, and the problems created because of racism and hatred would be solved.

Read from “With this faith…” to “the curvaceous slopes of California.”

23. Paraphrase this section into your own words: Having faith that equality can be achieved will allow those
pursuing equality to continue on until there mission is successful.
24. What do these geographical locations have in common?
They are higher locations in Northern and
Western America.
Read from “But not only that” to “From every mountainside, let freedom ring.”
25. What do these geographical locations have in common?
They are higher locations in the South.
Read the end of the speech.
26. Paraphrase this section into your own words:
When equality is finally given to all American citizens,
humankind will be able to embrace each other despite differences and slavery will be ended.

“I Have a Dream”Guided Reading
(Third Reading – Interpret, Author’s Purpose & Tone)
Read from the beginning of the speech to “And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful
condition.”
1. What was Dr. King’s purpose in beginning his speech by talking about the Emancipation Proclamation?
He is adding credibility to his argument by referencing how the fight for equality for African American citizens
is a historical reality.
2. What tone does Dr. King immediately establish and how?
By using this historical allusion, King establishes a
serious tone.
Read from “In a sense we've come to our nation's capital” to “the riches of freedom and the security of
justice.”
3. What was Dr. King’s purpose in using the extended metaphor about the check:
The use of the check
metaphor makes equal rights seem like a debt which Americans owe.
4. What tone does Dr. King use in this section?
King has an urgent and serious tone.
Read from “We have also come to this hallowed spot…” to “Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of
God's children.”
5. Why is it an appropriate metaphor for Dr. King to call racial injustice “quicksand”?
Racial injustice drowns
those who are attempting to fight against it.
King is very intense and urgent.
Read from “It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment” to “until the bright day of
justice emerges.”

7. Dr. King seems to be responding to something in this section. Make an inference about what Dr. King may
be responding to.
He’s responding to people who say that achieving racial equality or equal rights should be postponed or taken
“slowly.”
Read from “But there is something that I must say to my people” to “We cannot walk alone.”
8. Infer what “new militancy” Dr. King is addressing:
The growing group of African Americans fighting for civil
rights across the nation.
9. What can you infer about Dr. King’s views based on this section?
He believes that white and African
American citizens must work together and live together peacefully.
His tone is confident and assuring.
Read from “And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead” to "justice rolls
down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."
11. List the reasons Dr. King gives for why people must continue to fight for civil rights:
African American citizens are victims of police brutality. They cannot stay in hotels or motels. They have
limited resources due to some stores, shops, etc. having a “Whites Only” policy. They also are unable to vote
in certain cities and states.
12. Why does Dr. King list these reasons?
By listing reasons, Dr. King establishes logical and credible reasons
that African American citizens need equal rights.
Dr. King’s tone is aggrieved and defiant.
14. Do these conditions still exist for AfricanAmericans today?
Yes, but to a lesser extent.
Explain your
answer:
There are still racist people in the United States that attempt to deny African American people their basic
rights through discriminatory policies; however, laws have prohibited citizens from being as racist as
conditions were at the time of King’s speech.
Read from “I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations” to “Let us
not wallow in the valley of despair.”

15. Dr. King addresses the “trials and tribulations” that many in his audience have suffered while fighting for
their civil rights. Explain why he does this.
He does this to acknowledge the struggle of the African American community as they are increasingly
frustrated.
His tone here is uplifting.
Read from “I say to you today my friends” to “the content of their character.”
17. The last line in this section is one of the most famous lines from the speech. Why do you suppose this line
resonates with people?
King references his own children and the racism that has already affected their lives which elicits an emotional
response in his audience.
forceful and righteous.
19. How is the tone in this section different than the tone in the previous section?
King is more impassioned
here as he discusses his dreams for the future than when he acknowledged the current level of despair in his
community.
20. Has America achieved Dr. King’s dream, as explained in this section?
No.
21. Explain why or why not? Racism still exists in America, and thus not all men are treated as if they were
created equally as King had dreamed.
Read from “I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama” to “This is our hope.”
22. Dr. King keeps repeating “I Have a Dream.” Why? By repeating the phrase, King is reinforcing that this is
his dream and very different from the realities of his life.
dream
23. Specifically, why does Dr. King repeat “I have a today?”
Because the need for this dream to become
a reality is imperative now not in the future.
24. What tone does Dr. King use when talking about Alabama? Explain.
Scornful. He is subtly criticizing the
Alabama governor, who made very racist remarks and actions toward the African American community.
25. Why does Dr. King quote scripture?
This adds credibility to his argument.

Read from “This is the faith I go back to the South with” to “F
rom every mountainside, let freedom ring!”
26. Why does Dr. King use these song lyrics? _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
27. What goal does Dr. King explain in this section? ________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
28. Has America achieved this goal? Explain why or why not? _______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
29. What tone does Dr. King use in this section? ___________________________________________________
Read from “And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true” to “the curvaceous slopes of
California.”
30. Explain why Dr. King chose to list these states first? _____________________________________________
Read from “But not only that” to “From every mountainside, let freedom ring.”
31. Explain why Dr. King chose to list these states last? _____________________________________________
32. Why does Dr. King keep repeating “let freedom ring”? __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Read from “And when this happens” to the end.
33. Why did Dr. King end with this particular quote? _______________________________________________
34. How is this quote related to the beginning of the speech? ________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
35. Describe the tone Dr. King uses at the end of his speech? ________________________________________

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