"I have a dream" – Just words?

"We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal" – Just words?

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself" – Just words? Just speeches?

It’s true that speeches don’t solve all problems.

But what is also true is that if we can’t inspire our country to believe again, then it doesn’t matter how many policies and plans we have, and that is why I’m running for president of the United States of America.

And that’s why we just won 8 elections straight because the American people want to believe in change again.

Don’t tell me words don’t matter!

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Founders Day Gala, 16 February 2008

B. Read carefully. Identify the references Barack Obama uses. What do they have in common ? 

C. According to Barack Obama, why do "words matter"?

D. Have you ever been influenced or motivated by a public figure's words ? How ?

BEFORE CLASS! CO/ VIDÉO Masters of Speech : une rédactrice de discours américaine, Lindsey Hayes, parler de son métier

Word Leaders : How important is public speaking in the U.S.?

The Power of Storytelling : How is storytelling used to captivate audiences?

Actitvity 1 : Once upon a time : CO/ video : from James Wedmore’s YouTube Channel.

Actitvity 2 :The science behind storytelling : CE/ extrait d’article

Actitvity 3 : Inspirational speeches : CO/ trois discours audio

Speech A: “I Have a Dream”, Martin Luther King Jr.

Speech B: J.K. Rowling at Harvard University on June 5th, 2008

Speech C: Oprah Winfrey on January 8th, 2018 (the Golden Globes)

Actitvity 4 Words matter : CE/Texte : Barack Obama répond aux critiques lancées par Hillary Clinton à son encontre

B. Barack Obama refers to  :

– “I have a dream”: Famous speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. in front of more than 250,000 people at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August 1963. This speech brought great attention to the Civil Rights Movement and made Congress move faster in passing the Civil Rights Act. –

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal”: Preamble to the US Declaration of Independence, which was adopted on the Fourth of July 1776. This is a founding text in the USA, which celebrates freedom and equality. – “We have nothing to fear but fear itself”: Sentence taken from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 Inaugural address, when he became the 32nd President of the USA during the Great Depression. = A sentence that gave hope and courage to the American people.

These well-known references were taken from two famous speeches and from one of the founding documents of the USA. These words have inspired (and continue to inspire) many people in America and around the world to change things for the better or to give hope.

C. According to Barack Obama, words matter because people remember them: every American knows what the sentences he quoted refer to. These words can inspire a country to solve certain problems. Words and speeches can also allow a country to have hope and believe in a better future. Obama says that words have been powerful in his campaign because he thinks that he won eight elections straight thanks to the speeches he gave.

D. → I have already been influenced by famous actors or actresses who speak at the Academy Awards about a cause they fight for. I have already done some research to know more about the cause(s) they defend. → I am not usually influenced by what public figures say, I think that they are not honest when they defend a cause, it is just an opportunity for them to be in the limelight, to catch the audience’s attention

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!"

Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what constitutes failure, but the world is quite eager to give you a set of criteria if you let it. So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me.

You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.

So given a time machine, I would tell my 21-year-old self that personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a checklist of acquisition or achievement; your qualifications, your CV, are not your life, though you will meet many people of my age and older who confuse the two. Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone's total control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes."

In 1982, Sidney received the Cecil B DeMille Award right here at the Golden Globes, and it is not lost on me that at this moment, there are some little girls watching as I become the first black woman to be given this same award.

I’d like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association because we all know that the press is under siege these days, but we also know that it is the insatiable dedication to uncovering the absolute truth that keeps us from turning a blind eye to corruption and to injustice – to tyrants and victims and secrets and lies.

What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have. And I’m especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories. Each of us in this room are celebrated because of the stories that we tell. But it’s not just a story affecting the entertainment industry. It’s one that transcends any culture, geography, race, religion, politics or workplace.

Their time is up. Their time is up. And I just hope – I just hope that Recy Taylor died knowing that her truth, like the truth of so many other women who were tormented in those years and even now tormented, goes marching on.

In my career what I’ve always tried my best to do, whether on television or through film, is to say something about how men and women really behave, to say how we experience shame, how we love and how we rage, how we fail, how we retreat, persevere and how we overcome.

So I want all the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon.

And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say, “Me too” again. Thank you."

1. Storytelling: Oprah uses personal anecdotes, such as her childhood memories and experiences, to connect with the audience emotionally.

2. Historical References: She references historical moments like Sidney Poitier's Oscar win and Recy Taylor's story to illustrate the significance of the present moment.

3. Rhetorical Questions: Oprah employs rhetorical questions to engage the audience and prompt self-reflection.

4. Acknowledgment: She acknowledges the role of the press and the importance of speaking one's truth.

5. Empowerment: Oprah empowers women by highlighting their strength and encouraging them to share their stories.

6. Hope and Vision: She paints a vision of a brighter future and emphasizes the role of leaders in achieving it.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech:

1. Metaphors and Symbolism: MLK uses powerful metaphors like "I have a dream" and "sweltering with the heat of injustice" to convey his message.

2. Repetition: He repeats key phrases for emphasis and to create a rhythmic quality in his speech.

3. Appeal to Emotion: MLK appeals to the emotions of the audience by describing a vision of racial equality and justice.

4. Historical and Cultural References: He draws on historical and cultural references, including the Declaration of Independence and spirituals, to connect with his audience.

5. Inclusive Language: MLK uses inclusive language, such as "we" and "our," to create a sense of unity.

6. Call to Action: He encourages the audience to work towards a future where individuals are judged by their character, not their race.

1. Personal Anecdotes: J.K. Rowling shares personal anecdotes from her life, including her struggles and experiences, to connect with the graduates.

2. Motivational Messages: She offers motivational messages about the importance of failure, resilience, and maintaining hope.

3. Narrative Structure: Rowling structures her speech like a story, making it engaging and relatable.

4. Universal Themes: She addresses universal themes like the fear of failure, the pursuit of personal happiness, and the value of speaking one's truth.

5. Quotations: The speech includes quotations from her own work and from historical figures like Rosa Parks.

6. Empowerment: J.K. Rowling empowers the graduates to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.

Efficiency Assessment:

• Oprah Winfrey's Address: The most efficient strategy is her ability to connect emotionally through storytelling and her empowering message, making it highly impactful.

• Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech: The efficient use of metaphors, repetition, and emotional appeal made his speech a powerful call for civil rights.

• J.K. Rowling's Commencement Speech: Rowling's efficiency lies in her relatable personal anecdotes and motivational messages that resonate with the graduates.