Creative and Critical Thinking

ASSIGNMENT 5: Mark Antony's Speech

Learning Target (Curricular Competencies):

  • Apply appropriate strategies to comprehend written, oral, visual, and multimodal texts
  • Respond to text in personal, creative, and critical ways

Shakespeare uses speech/oration as a powerful weapon and resource in his plays. Read this famous speech from his play, Julius Caesar, where Mark Antony speaks in front of the Roman Senate in response to the death of Julius Caesar.

Handout: Mark Antony's Oration from Julius Caesar

You can watch it as you read along. Start watching the recording at :55.

Task:  Consider the following questions and take notes as you listen/read.

  1. What gives this speech power?
  2. What figurative devices are used to empower the message of the speaker? Pick 1 or 2.
  3. What rhetorical devices are being used? Pick 1 or 2.
  4. What is the message of the speech? Consider doing some outside research.
  5. How does Antony develop his point?

You are not expected to know all of these figurative devices and rhetorical devices at this point in the course. The idea here to develop your overall knowledge of the strategies writers use to convey their ideas. Do your best.

Write one expository paragraph that answers all 5 of the questions. Try to link your sentences so you aren't just answering questions. Your writing must flow. Read the next page on expository writing that EXPLAINS how to write an expository paragraph.

Use the topic sentence below to start your paragraph.

"Mark Antony's oration from Julius Caesar is a powerful speech for many reasons."

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target: (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective. Paragraph thoroughly discusses the devices used to create a powerful speech.  Ideas generated are thoughtful and unique. 

Written Expression:  Exemplary (6/6):  Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen.  Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.  Content contributes to the central idea and makes insightful connections with logical organization.

Submission: 

Use the "1.5 Mark Antony's Speech" link on the main page of this section of the course to upload your assignment to your teacher for marking.