MLK "I Have a Dream" Speech Close Read Graphic Organizer CCS

On this two-page handout, students examine four key passages from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech," a U.S. seminal text. Students mark the text, paraphrase, and examine the text for author's purpose and rhetorical devices in a graphic organizer. This guided, editable close read aligns with Common Core standards RI.9-10.3, RI.9-10.4, RI.9-10.6, RI.9-10.9, RI.9-10.10, which are indicated on the handout.

Recommended lesson sequence: Students listen to a video of MLK's "I Have a Dream." Teacher models analysis of the first passage, students work with a partner to analyze the second and third passages, students independently close read the fourth passage.

The editable passage page numbers refer to Holt McDougal Interactive Reader pages. This activity pairs best with prior instruction on rhetorical and persuasive writing techniques.

The Google doc version is linked in the Word doc when you click on "Passage-based Close Read Activity." When the link opens, you are in "view only" mode so you need to make a copy for yourself. When the sheet is open, go to File > Make a Copy. This will automatically save the file to your Google Drive.