Analyse the Speech by Terry Mallow
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Read or listen to Terry Mallow's speech, find the main idea, supporting facts and emotions, mark persuasive words, and create a one page summary.

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Step-by-step guide to analyse Terry Mallow's speech: find main idea, supporting facts and emotions, mark persuasive words, and write a one-page summary

What you need
Highlighter or colouring materials, paper, pencil, sticky notes, terry mallow's speech (text or audio), timer or clock

Step 1

Gather all your materials and sit somewhere quiet where you can focus.

Step 2

Decide if you will read the speech or listen to it and get ready to do that now.

Step 3

Read or listen to the whole speech once without stopping to mark anything.

Step 4

Read or listen to the speech a second time and highlight the sentence that best shows the main idea.

Step 5

Write the main idea in one clear sentence at the top of your paper.

Step 6

Find three facts that support the main idea and write each fact on its own sticky note or on separate lines.

Step 7

Read short parts of the speech again and circle or highlight persuasive words you notice.

Step 8

Write down the emotions the speaker shows using one or two words for each emotion.

Step 9

Arrange your three supporting facts under the main idea on your paper so they are easy to see.

Step 10

Start a draft of your one-page summary by writing the main idea sentence first.

Step 11

Add the three supporting facts into your summary as short sentences after the main idea.

Step 12

Write one sentence that names the speaker’s main emotion and explains how it helps the speech.

Step 13

Read your summary out loud and fix any spelling or grammar mistakes you hear.

Step 14

Write a neat final copy of your one-page summary on a fresh sheet of paper.

Step 15

Share your finished one-page summary on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use instead of sticky notes or a highlighter if I don't have them?

Use scrap paper or index cards to write each supporting fact (instead of sticky notes) and underline or circle persuasive words directly on the printed speech with a pencil if you don't have a highlighter.

I can't find the main idea—what should I try next?

Reread or relisten to the speech a second time and pick the sentence you highlighted that best connects to all three supporting facts you placed on sticky notes, or choose the sentence that repeats the speaker's main point.

How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?

For younger children, have them identify the main idea and one supporting fact and draw the speaker's emotion, while older kids should circle more persuasive words, write a fuller one-page summary with the three facts, and polish the final copy for DIY.org.

How can we extend or personalize the one-page summary activity?

Enhance the project by recording a short audio of the child reading their final one-page summary, attaching the three supporting sticky notes to the matching parts of the speech, and adding a headline or illustrations to the neat final copy before posting on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to analyse Terry Mallow's speech: identify main idea, supporting facts, emotions, persuasive words, and create a one-page summary

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Facts about speech analysis and reading comprehension for kids

✍️ Teachers ask students to mark persuasive words (strong verbs, adjectives, and repetition) because they reveal the speaker's strategy.

❤️ Messages that tap emotions are more likely to be remembered—emotional words stick in our minds longer than neutral ones.

🧠 Persuasion often uses three classic appeals: ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic).

🗣️ Rhetoric — the art of persuasion — was systematized in ancient Greece by thinkers like Aristotle over 2,300 years ago.

🎭 Terry Malloy is the main character in the 1954 film On the Waterfront, famously played by Marlon Brando.

How do I guide my child to analyse Terry Mallow's speech step by step?

Start by having your child read or listen to Terry Mallow’s speech once for general understanding. On a second pass, ask them to underline the main idea and circle supporting facts or examples. Have them mark words that sound persuasive or emotional. Prompt with questions: What is the speaker trying to convince the audience of? Which sentences show feelings? Finish by writing a one-page summary that states the main idea, three key supports, and one final reflection.

What materials do we need to analyse Terry Mallow's speech?

You’ll need a copy or audio of Terry Mallow’s speech, paper or a notebook, and pens or pencils. Add highlighters or colored pens for marking main ideas, facts, and emotions distinctly. Sticky notes help flag important passages, and a timer can set reading and summarising blocks. Optionally use a printed checklist with prompts (main idea, supports, emotions, persuasive words) and a quiet space or device for audio playback.

What ages is this speech analysis activity suitable for?

This activity suits a wide range: ages 8–10 benefit from guided reading and teacher/parent prompts; ages 11–14 can work more independently, identifying main ideas and persuasive language; ages 15+ should handle deeper analysis, noting rhetorical devices and biases. For younger children, simplify by focusing on main idea and feelings; for older teens, add tasks like evaluating evidence strength and writing a two-paragraph critique.

What are the benefits of analysing Terry Mallow's speech with my child?

Analyzing a speech builds critical reading, listening, and summarising skills while teaching children to spot persuasive language and emotional cues. It strengthens comprehension, logical thinking, and concise writing. The task also supports oral discussion skills when children explain their findings, boosts vocabulary, and encourages media literacy—helpful for homework, debate prep, and becoming a thoughtful listener and reader.
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