Nonfiction Speeches and Texts

As you read each nonfiction text or speech, try to identify the nonfiction elements and rhetorical strategies you learned about throughout this module. Nonfiction Reading Assignment Packet. Links to an external site.

"No News from Auschwitz" (1958) by Abraham Michael Rosenthal

By 1958, World War II was over, and the Holocaust, which had taken millions of lives, had ended. There was "no news" to report about regarding the concentration camps, and people seemed to have forgotten that such horrible evil occurred. Rosenthal, who was an editor for the New York Times, wanted to make sure that everyone remembered the Holocaust, so he visited Auschwitz (a notorious concentration camp) and wrote "No News from Auschwitz" to serve as a reminder to make sure nobody would forget the evils of the past.

It is now time to read the nonfiction text, "No News from Auschwitz."

 Nonfiction reading assignment packet Links to an external site.

Did you notice how Rosenthal structured the article? Did he use any kind of rhetorical strategies?

"I am Prepared to Die" (1964) by Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was a South African politician who worked to end apartheid, or racial segregation, in South Africa. Nelson was a controversial figure because he had to use various tactics against a corrupt government in order to fight racism in his country. Mandela spent many years in prison for his work, and in one courtroom, he gave a famous speech in 1964 known as "I am Prepared to Die" that explained the struggles with racism in South Africa and why the accusations against him were false.

It is now time to read part of the speech "I am Prepared to Die" by Nelson Mandela.

Nonfiction reading assignment packet. Links to an external site.

Were you able to pick out any rhetorical strategies used by Mandela? How did he establish credibility as a speaker?

"International Human Rights Experts, States Call for Inquiry into Human Rights Abuses in North Korea" (North Korea Article)

North Korea is a communist country that has little to no interaction with outside countries. North Korean citizens are unable to leave; if they attempt to leave, they put their lives in danger. Any books, music, movies, or other forms of entertainment serve as propaganda that teaches North Korean citizens lies about the country and the outside world. The citizens of North Korea have suffered starvation and other Human Rights violations. The article "International Human Rights Experts, States Call for Inquiry into Human Rights Abuses in North Korea" explains the various Human Rights issues that North Korean citizens face.

It is now time to read the article "International Human Rights Experts, States Call for Inquiry into Human Rights Abuses in North Korea."

Nonfiction reading assignment packet. Links to an external site.

Does the article reveal any kind of propaganda that the North Korean leaders use against their citizens? How does logos appear in the article?

"Did Nasa Discover Alien Life on Titan?"

Space exploration has always been a priority for many different countries, and the possibility of discovering life on other planets has always been a subject of debate. Many movies, books, and magazines have devoted their contents to stories about extraterrestrial life. "Did Nasa Discover Alien Life on Titan?" explores the possibility of life on other planets using evidence found on Titan.

It is now time to read the scientific article about possible life on other planets.

Nonfiction reading assignment packet. Links to an external site.

Did you notice logos used in this article? How was the article structured in order to engage the reader?

"I Have a Dream" (1963) by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a pastor and activist who worked tirelessly to end segregation and racism in the United States of America. Using techniques such as sit-ins and peaceful protests, Martin Luther King, Jr. organized groups of people to fight for equality across the nation. He was the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the "I Have a Dream Speech" at a massive gathering of Civil Rights leaders to promote his desire for equality among everyone. Prior to leading a march, he was assassinated on his balcony in 1968.   "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King is one of the most famous speeches in American History.

It is now time to read "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Nonfiction reading assignment packet. Links to an external site.

What rhetorical strategies does Martin Luther King, Jr. use in his speech? Why does he use repetition so often?

"Irish and German Immigration"

In 1892, Ellis Island, off the coast of New York, opened the first Immigration Station where immigrants were processed and allowed to enter America. However, although immigrants came to America in search of a better life, they often faced harsh working and living conditions due to lack of money and resources. The "Irish and German Immigration" article gives several reasons why people chose to immigrate to the United States.

Nonfiction reading assignment packet. Links to an external site.

What nonfiction text elements appear in the article? Is there a certain structure used by the author?

After reading the articles and seeing the differences in purpose, main idea, structure, and rhetorical strategies demonstrate your understanding with the Nonfiction Rhetoric Assignment.

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