Hello there! Today, we’re going to introduce you to the wonderful practice of *drumroll* directed writing!

Here’s what that’s all about!

In directed writing…

So why is this directed writing? It’s directed writing because it’s specifically directing you to create a particular type of text – either a discursive/argumentative/persuasive speech, letter, or article.

By the fundamental counting principle, there are a grand total of 9 types of things that you can be asked to do, then.

i) Discursive speech
ii) Discursive letter
iii) Discursive article
iv) Argumentative speech
v) Argumentative letter
vi) Argumentative article
vii) Persuasive speech
viii) Persuasive letter
ix) Persuasive article

But you’re not just going to write these essays offhand!

Have a look at a sample question below, from Summer 2021, Paper 2, Variant 3.

Question 1

Write a speech to give to an audience of young people suggesting how they can make changes
effectively in their lives.

In your speech you should:
• evaluate the views given in both texts about making resolutions
• give advice, based on what you have read, about how young people might manage the
changes they want to make in their lives.
Base your speech on what you have read in both texts, but be careful to use your own words.
Address both of the bullet points.
Write about 250 to 350 words.
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 25 marks for the
quality of your writing.

Oh fun!

As you can see, the question is asking you to write a speech. Moreover, it is asking you to make a speech to young people – how incredible! What a privilege you have in front of you to influence the next generation!

…Does this mean that you can go ahead and tell people that they should all go on TikTok and achieve their dreams by doing the magic bomb dance?

See:

…Unfortunately no, because the text is also asking you to evaluate the views in both texts about making resolutions, and it is asking you to give advice, based on what you have read, about how young people might manage the changes they want to make in their lives.

That is very specific, and you can’t go against that, but there is plenty of excellence that you can achieve!

Well, how do we do that? We have to read the text! Have a look here:

Text A: Anyone up for a New Year challenge?

The article below discusses some strategies for keeping resolutions.

No one seems sure when the idea of making resolutions at the turn of a new year began. The
ancient Babylonians are believed to have celebrated the beginning of a new planting season
by resolving to make changes for the better. The Roman god Janus – the one that looks both
backwards to the past and forwards to the future – inspired citizens to promise improvements in
the coming year. In the modern world, many countries and cultures celebrate their new year with
‘wishes’ rather than resolutions, but social media, perhaps inevitably, has ensured that personal
struggles to exercise more / study harder / eat more healthily / be kinder have become collective
experiences.

Most people will not succeed with challenges for more than a few weeks: willpower is not a talent
that a lucky few are born with, according to some research. Willpower is a skill to be practised.
Frank Ryan, author of ‘Willpower for Dummies’, explains: ‘Our level of willpower fluctuates
according to our motivation in any given situation. Everybody can learn to use their willpower
more effectively.’

To maximise our chances of sticking to resolutions, Ryan says, we should identify our ‘willpower
profile’. ‘Some people are more impulsive than others. That comes down to personality. For
some, scheduling time to reflect on your progress by keeping a diary can be helpful. For others,
signing up for a group where everyone has a common goal can help to strengthen your resolve,
as can sharing even small progress with others.’

Magdalena Bak-Maier, a neuro-scientist and coach, encourages people to make a written plan
which sets specific goals. ‘You might have announced: this year I’m going to write a novel or I’m
going to run a half-marathon, but those are just ideas, not plans. A plan is: I’m going to get up
at 6:30 Monday to Friday and write 500 words of my screenplay before I leave for work. Or I’m
going to sign up for 10 water-colour classes and go every Monday at 18:00.’

Finally, be kind to yourself. ‘Anticipate lapses and plan for them,’ says Ryan. ‘Changing habits,
or establishing new ones, is a motivational marathon, with inevitable trips along the way.’ It’s
important to stay optimistic. ‘Feeling negative and self-critical actually reduces your willpower,’
says Ryan. ‘Negative moods are the enemy of willpower and self-blame is the main culprit.’

Text B

The article below is about some of the benefits of making resolutions.

I like a challenge, and what better way to push myself than at the start of the New Year with
wholly ridiculous resolutions?

One year, I randomly decided I’d practise yoga every day for the following 12 months without
ever having tried yoga before – very ambitious. Last year I promised myself I’d go bouldering
every single Thursday … indefinitely. And of course, for the past two years, I’ve attempted to have
a plant-based diet for the first month of the year knowing I love cheese more than most things in
this life. Needless to say, all my grandiose New Year’s resolutions have been a tremendous flop.
Essentially every year I set myself up for failure. Normally I feel exceptionally guilty about how
much of a slob I’ve become by the end of the year and try to rectify it by attempting resolutions
that are ambitious at best and delusional at worst.

Luckily, I’m not alone with my futile declarations as 80 per cent of New Year’s resolutions fail
within weeks. I lasted 27 days the first time I attempted a plant-based diet – all it took was one
encounter with a margherita pizza and all my hard work was undone 4 short days before the
end of the challenge. And when it came to bouldering, I got a (not so cheap) 10-day pass to a
climbing centre, and let’s just say a year later there’s still about four visiting passes left to use.
Yes, my resolutions never go to plan, but they have taught me a wealth of new, sometimes
pointless, skills. I’m often too hard on myself and forget all the days I did actually stick to my
challenges and what I’d gained from them. I lasted 27 whole days as a vegan yet I was more
upset about the four days that I didn’t manage. I stuck at it the next time though, learning from my
mistakes.

The fully vegan diet didn’t stick but I now know how to realistically work more plant-based meals
into my diet rather than going cold turkey (excuse the pun) and spending a whole month in near
starvation. And I didn’t do yoga every day, because that’s ridiculous, but I did practise it daily for
the first few months and continued on and off long after that – it truly made me feel stronger and
happier in myself. I definitely don’t go climbing as often as I’d like to but the point is I still go when
I can.

Being realistic in my expectations is where I really fail every year. Daily challenges, massive
changes to my diet and physical activity can’t just happen overnight.

Okay, so here’s how you do well on this.

Let’s start.

1. Understand the question:
   
   Before you start writing, read the question carefully and understand what you are being asked to do. Look for specific details, such as the audience, purpose, and format of the writing. Keep these in mind throughout your writing process and make sure to refer back to the question time and time again as you write.
   
   The reality is that many students actually lose track of the writing prompt as time goes by, and thereby become unable to write coherent or correct responses – not just because they don’t understand what the prompt was in the first place, but often because they just lost track after a while!
   
2. Plan your response:
   
   To ensure that your writing is well-organized and coherent, create a brief outline or plan before you begin. This can include jotting down the main points you want to cover and the order in which you want to present them. Planning will help you maintain a clear focus and avoid straying off-topic.
   
3. Use the appropriate format and register:
   
   IGCSE directed writing tasks may come in various formats, such as letters, articles, reports, or speeches. Be familiar with the conventions of each format and adhere to them in your writing. Moreover, consider the register (formal or informal) required by the task and ensure your language, tone, and style match the intended audience and purpose.
   
4. Develop strong arguments:
   
   Make sure to develop strong and relevant arguments to support your ideas. Use a combination of facts, examples, and personal experiences to make your arguments persuasive and engaging.
   
5. Use varied sentence structures and vocabulary:
   
   To achieve a high mark, demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures. This will not only make your writing more engaging but also showcase your linguistic abilities. Avoid using clichés, jargon, or overly complex language that may confuse your reader.
   
6. Maintain coherence and cohesion:
   
   Ensure that your writing flows smoothly from one point to another by using appropriate linking words and phrases, such as ‘however,’ ‘in addition,’ ‘on the other hand,’ etc. This will help create a coherent and cohesive piece of writing that is easy to follow and understand.
   
7. Proofread and edit:
   
   Once you have finished writing, take the time to proofread and edit your work. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, and make sure your writing is clear and concise. Don’t be afraid to make changes if necessary.
   
8. Practice and seek feedback:
   
   The more you practice, the better you will become at directed writing. Try completing past IGCSE directed writing tasks and ask your teachers, peers, or tutors for feedback. This will help you identify areas for improvement and gain valuable insights on how to enhance your writing.

We will update this post a little later with an example directed writing sample, written to the prompt but we hope that you’ve enjoyed this piece so far!

Look forward to it!

Welcome to the best Narrative Composition Bank for the IGCSE First Language English exam on the internet.

Some of the essays were written by students who are working with me or have worked with me in the past, students who would like to contribute their essays for grading, and each essay is graded by a teacher and moderated as well 🙂

Generally, a site membership (free or premium) is required for you to view this Composition essay bank. Still, please feel free to view the samples below!

2021 and beyond:

October/November

May/June

Samples

2020

Prompt: Write a story with the title, ‘An unexpected meeting’

Essay:

The sun was setting, casting a golden hue upon the quiet forest. Emily, a young photographer, was engrossed in capturing the fleeting moment on her camera. As she moved deeper into the woods, searching for that perfect angle, she stumbled upon an ancient oak tree, its bark weathered with time.

Suddenly, an unexpected gust of wind blew through the trees, sending a shiver down Emily’s spine. The forest seemed to whisper a secret, one that felt almost tangible. Following her instincts, she pressed her ear against the oak and listened carefully.

To her surprise, the oak revealed a hidden door. It creaked open, revealing a dimly lit chamber within. As Emily stepped inside, she felt a strange sense of nostalgia, as if she had been here before. The walls were adorned with portraits of faces she recognized – her ancestors.

In that moment, time seemed to bend around them, and Emily found herself transported to a sunlit meadow, her great-grandfather by her side. He shared stories of their family history, tales filled with love, loss, and adventure. Emily felt a profound connection with the man who had been lost to her, but who now felt closer than ever.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, William’s voice softened, and he shared one final tale – a warning about a family curse that had brought tragedy to each generation. He entrusted Emily with the task of breaking the curse, arming her with the knowledge she would need to face it.

As they said their goodbyes, Emily felt a surge of determination. She would honor her great-grandfather’s memory and protect her family. With newfound purpose, she stepped back through the hidden door, ready to confront her destiny.

Comment:

This essay demonstrates excellence in content and structure (W1 and W2) by presenting a complex, engaging, and effective narrative with a strong plot that includes elements of fiction writing such as description, character development, and a climax. The descriptions, such as “a golden hue upon the quiet forest” and “the oak revealed a hidden door,” create vivid imagery that invests readers in the story.

The style and accuracy (W3, W4, and W5) are also strong, with precise, well-chosen vocabulary like “weathered,” “tangible,” and “nostalgia.” Varied sentence structures are chosen for effect, and the register is consistent and suitable for the context. The grammar, spelling, and punctuation are almost always accurate.

One phrase that could be improved is “his eyes piercing the darkness with their intensity.” A possible revision might be “his eyes cutting through the darkness, radiating intensity.” This change strengthens the imagery and enhances the overall emotional impact.

The structure of the essay is effective, with a gradual buildup of suspense leading to the climax and resolution. To further improve, the writer could study the works of renowned authors like Neil Gaiman, whose ability to create immersive worlds and engaging characters could inspire the writer to add depth to their own storytelling.

Mark awarded for content and structure = 15/16

Mark awarded for style and accuracy = 23/24

Total mark = 38/40

Prompt: Write a story with the title, ‘An unexpected meeting’

Essay:

The drizzling rain created an ethereal mist that enveloped the city like a forgotten dream. As Sarah strolled through the dimly lit streets, her thoughts wandered to the recent events that had left her heart heavy with sorrow. The air was damp, and the scent of petrichor hung heavily in the air, reflecting her melancholic mood. The once familiar town seemed alien to her now, as if it were a distant memory she could no longer grasp.

She found herself standing in front of an old, decrepit bookstore, its sagging shelves barely supporting the weight of the dusty tomes that lined them. The welcoming aroma of old paper and ink beckoned her inside, and she obliged, seeking refuge from the relentless drizzle outside. A solitary light illuminated the store, casting shadows that danced in the dark corners like wayward spirits.

As she meandered through the narrow aisles, her fingers trailed along the worn spines of the books, each one whispering a story that yearned to be told. Suddenly, her hand stopped on a particular volume, its frayed leather binding standing out from the rest. A sense of déjà vu washed over her, and she felt inexplicably drawn to it.

She pulled it from the shelf, and as she did, an old photograph slipped out from between its pages. It was a picture of her and a man she had once loved, now faded and yellowed with age. The sight of it brought back memories that had long been buried beneath the sands of time, and her heart ached with longing.

Just then, she felt a presence behind her. She turned around and found herself face-to-face with the very man from the photograph, his eyes filled with warmth and recognition. The years had etched new lines on his face, but the essence of him remained unchanged.

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time stood still. The weight of the past dissolved, leaving only the tender resonance of shared memories. In that unexpected meeting, amidst the hallowed sanctuary of the forgotten bookstore, they found solace in one another’s presence, the tides of fate having brought them together once more.

Comment:

The essay effectively utilizes vivid descriptions and a well-defined plot (W1) to create a story that is emotionally impactful. The narrative builds up to an effective climax (W2) with the unexpected meeting between Sarah and the man from her past. The language employed is complex and engaging, with phrases such as “ethereal mist” and “yearned to be told” capturing the reader’s attention and contributing to the emotional impact (W3).

The essay demonstrates a consistent register suitable for the context (W4) and maintains accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar throughout (W5). One area for improvement is the transition between the introduction and the setting of the bookstore, which could be made smoother to enhance the story’s structure.

The writer might consider studying the works of Haruki Murakami, who expertly employs vivid imagery and emotional depth in his narratives, providing valuable inspiration for refining the writer’s own storytelling abilities.

Mark awarded for content and structure = 16/16

Mark awarded for style and accuracy = 24/24

Total marks awarded = 40/40

One of the many things that First Language English asks you to do is to learn how to write a summary!

Seems obvious?

Well…

It isn’t, really.

See, when people hear ‘summary’, they immediately think that this means shortening an essay until it becomes something miniature – a compression of a long piece into something bite-sized… But is that what you need to do?

Let’s explore!

In the IGCSE First Language English exam, summary-writing is examined in question 1f).

Here’s a text and an example question from Summer 2022, Paper 1, Variant 3, provided here for your consideration:

Alright! We can tell a few things about this:

1. They’re not asking you to shorten the text.
   
   The text is titled “Teaching people to hate snakes is a disaster for ecology”, and the question is asking you “why do people have negative attitudes to snakes and why are these attitudes unfair and unjustified?”. You should be answering the question, not looking at every sentence and trying to find a ‘shorter’ way of writing it.
   
2. They are asking you to find specific points in the text that answer the question.
   
   You are looking for points that answer the specific question that was being asked. “Humans often fear what they don’t understand” is a good point to note – we don’t need to know about the Zoo Chats or anything else in the third paragraph as that doesn’t answer the question.
   
3. They are asking you to cut out irrelevant points.
   
   Not everything in the text is relevant – If I’m receiving a summary from someone titled “Why people have negative attitudes towards snakes and why these attitudes are unfair and unjustified”, I’m not going to care about when World Snake Day is or anything else.

To effectively write a summary for IGCSE First Language English and obtain the highest possible score in an exam, follow these steps:

1. Read the task prompt:
   
   You have no idea how many summaries I have read in my lifetime that didn’t work because the student just went and tried to shorten the text. Please don’t do this – instead, please read the task prompt.
   
   No matter what, your summary needs to match the question, and you need to make sure that it addresses the essential points of the question.
   
   This is crucial, because you are not trying to shorten the entirety of the text – you are looking for the points that respond directly to the question, and hence you will have to select those points out.
   
2. Read the passage carefully:
   
   Remember the task prompt, then thoroughly read the given passage to fully understand its content, context, and main ideas.
   
3. Identify key points:
   
   As you read, make note of the main points and any supporting details in relation to the task prompt – i.e. since they’re asking “Why people have negative attitudes towards snakes and why these attitudes are unfair and unjustified”, look for parts of the text where you can find answers to those specific questions.
   
   Highlight them, then start thinking about how you can arrange or combine them into your summary.
   
4. Organize your ideas:
   
   Once you’ve managed to decide which points belong in your summary, group the main points and supporting details in a logical order that supports the prompt. Note that often, this will cause you to end up with a chaotic list of things – so you need to start thinking about how you are going to combine the points with one another.
   
5. Paraphrase:
   
   By this point, you have a list of points highlighted on the insert – now, you have to think about how to combine them into concise sentences that capture what you need.
   
   Note that often, less is more.
   
6. Keep it concise:
   
   A summary should be brief and to the point.
   
   Aim to include only the most important information, and avoid any unnecessary details, examples, or personal opinions.
   
   When in doubt, look at any part of your summary and ask:
   
   “Does this answer the question?”
   
7. Use appropriate language:
   
   Avoid slang, contractions, and colloquialisms.
   
8. Review the task prompt:
   
   As you write your summary, continually refer back to the task prompt to ensure you’re addressing all requirements. This will help you stay focused and avoid straying from the task at hand.
   
9. Edit and proofread:
   
   Once you’ve written your summary, take the time to carefully review and edit it. Look for any errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling, and correct them as needed.
   
   Oh wait, what’s that? The last tip?
   
10. Practice:
    
    This is probably common sense, but in case it’s not… Practice!
    
    Showing up makes a difference even if you don’t notice that it’s happening – let yourself have the time and space to process things in your mind, and keep doing it even if you don’t immediately see the results; that’s how you give yourself the opportunity to grow and get better at this, one step at a time.
    
    Scheduling a good time for yourself or even using ChatGPT to remind yourself can be helpful, and so is doing the summary task under timed conditions – it might be hard at first to finish in the given time and you may overshoot, but trust your brain and its ability to learn: That’s why we’re here, and that’s something that is perfectly in your capacity.

And that’s it for now!

We hope you enjoyed this piece – enjoy, and have a wonderful one ahead!

V.

Today, I thought to accomplish two separate goals:

Firstly, I’d like to introduce a series that showcases examples of incredible rhetoric throughout human history so that all of you on the site can appreciate it.

Second of all, I’d like to begin having us look at examples of how the tools that we’ve discussed in our Writer’s Effect guide can be used to analyze and break down texts, by example and also by reference, to allow you to break past theory into practice.

How we will start.

I’d like to start this series by talking about one of the most famous speeches of all time:

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech.

Delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the speech is significant for several reasons:

1. Raising awareness of racial inequality: The speech brought the issue of racial inequality and the civil rights movement to the forefront of American consciousness, raising awareness about the injustices faced by African Americans and the need for change.
2. Inspiring hope and change: King’s message of hope and his vision of a future where all people are equal inspired countless individuals to join the struggle for civil rights, sparking a nationwide movement for change.
3. Demonstrating the power of nonviolence: The speech and the March on Washington showcased the effectiveness of nonviolent protest as a means of achieving social and political change, influencing future generations of activists and social justice movements.
4. Impact on legislation: The speech and the broader civil rights movement played a crucial role in the passage of landmark legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to dismantle racial segregation and discrimination in the United States.

We could go into the history of King and what he did for a long while, but let’s not do that, because we’re here primarily to talk about language.

What we will do.

1. Read.
   • In this post, you will find the full text of King’s epic speech. Please feel free to read it.
   • Please recall how to find things on both Windows or Mac; you will need to hit “CTRL + F” or “CMD + F” in order to navigate this post.
2. Guide you.
   • We will provide you with helpful phrases that you can use for your writer’s effect analyses.
   • We will justify each usage of a phrase within the context of an essay, relating this to the way that the phrases can be used to draw out the effect of the words that have been used in the speech.

As a note, these are not a perfect analogue to what you will encounter in the actually exam, whereby you have to seek out three specific phrases in a text and then write your piece. Moreover the phrases will not exactly be used verbatim – still, each of the phrases should give you a good idea about how to proceed.

Concerning the number of examples:

There are two for non-members as a preview, three more for those of you who sign up for a free membership, and 20+ for our premium members.

Sounds good? Let’s go!

Here’s the text of the speech.

“I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.”

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, “When will you be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. **We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: “For Whites Only.”** We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest — quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

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!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”²

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day — this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride,    From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!³

With that said, let’s proceed with our analysis and suggest numerous helpful phrases that you can use as part of your writer’s effect analyses. The first two are provided for free to non-members, and to view the next three, you will need a membership. The remainder will be accessible only to our premium members.

Phrase 1:
“Utilizing parallelism to emphasize a point,”
Justification: In Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the use of parallelism is evident when he repeats the phrase “I have a dream” throughout the speech. By repeating this phrase, King drives home the importance of his vision for a racially equal America. The repetition of “I have a dream” creates a rhythmic pattern that makes the speech memorable and engaging, thus inspiring the audience to take action for social change.

Phrase 2:
“Employing anaphora to create a sense of unity,”
Justification: Anaphora, the repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines, is used by King in “I Have a Dream” to emphasize the collective nature of his message. For example, he repeats “one hundred years later” several times to convey the ongoing struggle for civil rights. This repetition unifies the ideas in his speech, creating a cohesive message that resonates with the audience and emphasizes the need for solidarity in the fight for equality.

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