An inaugural address represents the first moments of a new beginning. Using John F. Kennedy's speech as a model for guided practice, groups examine the ingredients of an inaugural address. Individuals then repeat the analysis process with the addresses of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, or Ronald Reagan.

Concepts

presidential inaugurations, john f. kennedy

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Have class members use the provided link to access other speeches provided by the University of California Santa Barbara Project
• For those classes that have studied rhetorical devices, have groups locate those devices in the speech

Classroom Considerations

• Although designed for middle schoolers, the activity is appropriate for high school classes as well

Pros

• The resource includes a video of Kennedy's speech, links to Lincoln's, Roosevelt's, and Reagan's addresses, and a source for all presidential inaugural addresses

Cons

• Only minimal directions are included for how to analyze the elements of the speeches

Common Core

RI.9-10.1 RI.9-10.9 RI.11-12.1 SL.9-10.1.a RH.9-10.1 RH.11-12.1