Page 9 Key Words in Speeches

Powerful words can incite violence or unify a country.


Read  "Mandela" a persuasive news editorial on pages 161-165 of SightLines 8.


The author's purpose is to convince the reader that Mandela is a hero, who changed South African history. Both Lesson 5 and Lesson 6 will refer to this article.

Whether creating war or peace, memorable speeches can change the shape of the future.



A good speech will...

  • connect the listener to something greater than himself or herself — an ideal

    In the sentence below key words are ideal, democratic or free.

    "I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society, in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities."

  • repeat simple but powerful words to convey a message

    Consider the two excerpts from Mandela's speeches on pages 162 and 164.

    "I cherish my own freedom dearly, but I care even more for your freedom."

    "I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination."

  • speak from the heart

    "Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. " ~ Mandela's South African presidential inauguration speech 1994.



View  ONE of the following memorable speeches.

Choose ONE of the following memorable speeches and complete your downloaded assignment file as you listen to it. (You are welcome to listen to all, of course!)

1.  Nelson Mandela, honorary citizen of Canada


Mandela thanks Canadians for their help in ending apartheid in South Africa.

Watch a video on Mandela.




2.  Malala Yousafzai — highlights at UN


Malala, a teenage Pakistani activist for education, was shot in the head by the Taliban and survived. She is an honourary Canadian citizen and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Watch a video on Malala.




3.  John F Kennedy - Ich Bin Ein Berliner Speech


At the end of WWII, Berlin was divided between East Germany and West Germany. A wall was built between the two countries so that East Berliners could not escape to the West. The American President, John F. Kennedy, gave a speech to encourage West Berliners.

Watch a video on John F. Kennedy.




When you have completed all parts of Assignment 5,

be sure you have renamed your file (YOURNAME) la 8-2-5
upload the completed assignment into the 2.5 Assignment file on the next page.
Check in two to three days to retrieve the marked assignment and review the feedback from your teacher.