"I Have a Dream" Argumentative Essay

Name__________________________________________Date___________________Period___________________
“I Have a Dream”
Watch Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Break it down as an argumentative essay.
In an argumentative essay, information is given (thesis statement) that is supported with outside sources. It also includes counter arguments and refutations (opposing ideas). The thesis should be very clear on what position is taken ( to persuade people to adopt new beliefs or behavior).
Elements of an Argumentative Essay:
• it should contain an argument
• it should be a topic that can be adequately supported (with statistics, outside source citations, etc.)
• it should contain at least one counter-argument and refutation
Rhetorical elements:
• ethos: ethics of speaker (how believable/reliable is this speaker?)
• pathos: emotion (anger, frustration, sadness, fear, etc.)
• logos: logic (reputable outside sources—studies, facts, surveys, etc.)

Carefully read through “I Have a Dream” and identify the following with a concrete detail. Remember to include page numbers and quotation marks. (This should be in columns, but Blogspot doesn't do that, for whatever reason!)

Column 1:Element
Column 2: CD (include quotation marks and page number)
Column 3: Is this effective? Why or why not?
Find an example of the elements below and respond with a CD and an explanation for each.

Argument (thesis statement. May be directly stated or implied)


Topic Support (outside sources, examples—NOT feelings)


Counter Argument



Refutation



Ethos



Pathos



Logos