Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

The Speech that Made Obama President

THNKR

38.9M views 14 years ago

Warm-up Questions

What do you think a “speech that made someone president” might include?
What topics do you expect in a famous political speech?
What do you already know about Barack Obama in 2004?

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The Speech that Made Obama President

An unknown politician introduces his story (00:00 – 01:34)

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1. In 2004, how was Barack Obama described at the beginning?

Totally unknown to most people
A TV celebrity
Already famous nationwide
A long-time president

2. Where was Obama’s father born and raised, according to the speech excerpt?

Kansas
New York
A small village in Kenya
Chicago

3. What does Obama say is possible in “no other country on earth”?

His story
A world war victory
Free college for everyone
A new political party

The Speech that Made Obama President

Unity and rejecting division (01:34 – 04:27)

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1. What is the speech described as in response to a divisive time?

An antidote
A comedy routine
An apology
A business plan

2. What phrase is used to express shared responsibility for others?

I am My Brother's Keeper / I am My Sister's Keeper
Winners never quit
Time is money
Every person for themselves

3. Which contrast is repeated to argue for unity?

Liberal America vs. conservative America
Young vs. old
North vs. south
City vs. countryside

The Speech that Made Obama President

Hope, sincerity, and lasting impact (04:27 – 06:13)

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1. What two kinds of politics are contrasted near the end?

Politics of money vs. politics of charity
Politics of youth vs. politics of age
Politics of war vs. politics of peace
Politics of cynicism vs. politics of hope

2. What phrase is repeated strongly during the conclusion?

Vote now
Hope
Never again
No compromise

3. According to the video, what mattered a lot for being effective when speaking?

Speaking very fast
Using difficult vocabulary
Avoiding personal stories
Sincerity

The Speech that Made Obama President

Transcript will load here…

1. What is the main purpose of including personal family details in the speech?

To avoid talking about politics
To criticize other politicians’ families
To connect a personal story to a larger national story
To explain election rules

2. Which communication technique is highlighted as making the speech effective?

Speaking without examples
Only using statistics
Never using emotion
Antithesis (repetition and contrast)

3. What central message is repeated throughout the quoted lines?

Americans are one people in the United States of America
Americans should separate by state
Only one group represents America
Americans are divided into many countries

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

The Speech that Made Obama President

Why do you think the video says the speech was Obama’s “chance to introduce himself”?
Which lines about being “connected as one people” feel most persuasive to you, and why?
Do you think contrast and repetition (like “there is not… there is…”) make a speech more powerful? Explain.
What does “a politics of hope” mean to you in your country or community?