In the pre-mass media age, individuals listened for hours to orators. Because most of these speeches were not recorded, we have lost a great deal of this extraordinary aspect of our past. This loss highlights the value of those speeches that have survived.
Throughout history, speeches have touched on a variety of issues and expressed both majority and minority views. The topics about which people spoke indicate the important issues of the time. Yet students must think about not only the subject, but also the audience at which the speech was aimed, the opinions it reflected, and the way in which those opinions were expressed.
Women have not always had the right to speak publicly about issues that were important to them. The arenas in which they were allowed to speak reflected society’s view of women’s “proper place.” The text, context and subtext of women’s public addresses also reveal a great deal about the status of a woman in her community. The speeches by women in the Jewish Women’s Archive collection reflect both women’s individual interests and society’s willingness to hear their voices.
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Teacher Notes contain:
- Overview of the primary source type
- Skill focus
- Directions for conducting the lesson
 Teacher Notes for Speeches
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Student Activity Sheet contains:
- Small group or individual study activities for the primary source type
- Application and follow-up activities
Student Activity Sheet for Speeches
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Document Study Sheets contain:
- Picture of the primary source
- Background material
- Specific discussion questions related to the primary source
Select a Document Study Sheet from those listed on the right side of this page.
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