Ishmael says, “I would try desperately to think
about my childhood, but I couldn't. The war
memories had formed a barrier that I had to
break in order to think about my life before
the war” (149). And references this again
later on p.160 claiming he gets flashbacks,
headaches, and nightmares.
• What does he mean by this? Why do you
think he cannot remember before the war?

a long way gone

the correct answer is c. he speculates on what might happen at given points in the future in a world without people. alan h. weisman is an american author, professor, and journalist. authors organize their information with a purpose. they present their ideas in an organized way. this is called text structure. weisman uses text structure so as to improve overall comprehension and to prove his points.

each year on this day, i make it a point to listen to dr. martin luther king jr.’s great “i have a dream” speech. it’s electrifying every single time.

the content of dr. king’s speech, his inspiring presence, and the moment in history all came together to make the iconic “i have a dream” speech the defining moment of the american civil rights movement. but there are several other reasons why this speech, delivered over 50 years ago, remains an example of one of the best speeches in american history.

since part of my job is to people become better presenters, i’ve noticed several techniques that we can all learn from and be inspired by in this magnificent speech.

it’s anchored in a powerful related location

in most cases, you can’t handpick the spot to give a presentation, as mlk did for supreme symbolic effect when he stood on the steps of the lincoln memorial and echoed the opening words of the gettysburg address (“five score years ago . . ). but you absolutely can amplify your message by adapting it to your setting and location.