The I Have a Dream speech, by Martin Luther King, Jr. references to the country's Founding Fathers and the Bible, he used universal themes to depict the struggles of African Americans before closing with an improvised riff on his dreams of equality.
This speech was important in several ways: It brought even greater attention to the Civil Rights Movement, which had been going on for many years. King’s speech was written for the average American, so he used plain language to deliver a clear message that was understood by everyone. The lesson here is to tailor your speech to your audience. This language will make sense to them and help you gain credibility as a speaker.
However, if you’re presenting to an eighth-grade class, their everyday language is simple words that will be easily understood. Depending on your audience, adjust your language to ensure your listeners get the most out of your speech.
