Curated OER
Famous Speeches and the Art of Persuasion
Students can learn speech writing skills and analyze famous speeches with these activities.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Introduction to Speech
This is a comprehensive unit introducing speech including key words, lessons, discussion of audience, purpose, analyzing speeches, speech components, planning a speech, quizzes, and a final assessment with rubric.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Site Search
This is the search engine for American Rhetoric, a site that offers thousands of primary source speeches. Just type in the name of the speech or the speaker and select from the choices.
Other
Liberty Online: "Addresses, Messages, and Replies"
This site provides students access to the full text of selected Thomas Jefferson's speeches.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Ronald Reagan: Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate
This is Ronald Reagan's "Tear Down the Wall" speech delivered on June 12, 1987, at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. It is offered in YouTube video, mp3 audio, and text. [4:52]
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Woodrow Wilson: The League of Nations
This is the text of Woodrow Wilson's speech explaining the content and purpose of The League of Nations.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Abraham Lincoln: "Cooper Union Address"
This is the text of Abraham Lincoln's "Cooper Union Address" which was delivered on February 27, 1860, in New York, NY. He addresses the question of federal control of slavery in the states.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Abraham Lincoln: First Inaugural Address: Draft & Final
This is the texts of Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address delivered March 4, 1861, in New York, NY. It includes four PDF files: the Forward, the Original Draft, Editorial Changes, and the Final Draft.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Abraham Lincoln: Second Inaugural Address
This is the text of Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address delivered March 4, 1865.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Malcolm X: "Message to Grassroots"
This is the text of Malcolm X's speech "Message to Grassroots" delivered November 10, 1963.
Wyzant
Wyzant: History and Politics Out Loud
A searchable archive of politically significant audio materials for scholars, teachers, and students.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Analyze Famous Speeches for Rhetorical Structures and Devices
In this instructional activity, you will learn to analyze persuasive speeches and examine the impact of rhetorical structure and the use of devices in famous speeches. It includes activities such as matching quotes from famous speeches...
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Abraham Lincoln Address on Repeal of the Missouri Compromise
YThis is the text of Abraham Lincoln's Address on Repeal of the Missouri Compromise delivered October 16, 1854, in Peoria, Illinois.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Abraham Lincoln: "A House Divided"
This is the text of Abraham Lincoln's famous speech, "A House Divided" concerning the issue of slavery it was delivered on June 16, 1858, in Springfield, Illinois. It includes his famous quote: "A house divided against itself cannot...
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Franklin Delano Roosevelt: First Fireside Chat
This is the text and audio of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first Fireside Chat "The Banking Crisis" on March 12, 1933, in Washington D.C.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Huey P. Long Radio Speech: "Share Our Wealth"
This is a radio speech "Share Our Wealth" delivered by Huey P. Long on March 7, 1935, by the National Broadcasting Company, New York. Long was in opposition to Roosevelt's New Deal.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Gerald R. Ford: Oath of the u.s. Presidency Address
This is the swearing in of Gelald R. Ford as President of the United States on August 9, 1974, after President Nixon resigned. After taking the oath of office, Ford speaks to the country. Offered in mp3 audio and in text.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Elizabeth Gurley Flynn: Statement at the Smith Act Trial
This is the text of the testimony of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, a member of the USA Communist Party, who spoke in her own defense at her trial for being a Communist on April 24 1952, in New York.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Jimmy Carter: "A Crisis of Confidence"
This is a speech by Jimmy Carter addressing the country about uniting the country to solve the Engergy Crisis on delivered July 15, 1979. It is offered in YouTube video, mp3 audio, and text [4:16].
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: The Equal Rights Amendment
This is the text of Shirley Chisholm's speech to the House of Representatives on August 10,1970, supporting the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Elie Wiesel: "The Perils of Indifference"
This is the audio and text of Elie Wiesel's speech "The Perils of Indifference" delivered on April 12, 1999, Washington, D.C. He discusses his experience in German concentration camps during the Holocaust and the dangers on indifference.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Gerald R. Ford: Address Pardoning Richard M. Nixon
This is mp3 audio and text of Gerald R. Ford's speech to the nation pardoning Richard M. Nixon for his part in the Watergate coverup. It was delivered on September 8, 1974, Washington D.C.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Lyndon Baines Johnson: "Let Us Continue"
This is Lyndon Baines Johnson's speech "Let Us Continue," on the occasion of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 27, 1963; it is offered in a You Tube Video, an mp3 audio, and in text. [6:11]
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Eleanor Roosevelt: Adopting the Declaration of Human Rights
This is Eleanor Roosevelt's address to the United Nations on its adoption of the Declaration of Human Rights on December 9, 1948 in Paris, France; it is provided in a YouTube video, mp3 audio, and in text. [3:30]