In general, writing is intended to convey information and explain ideas.

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.

in ray bradbury's short story "a sound of thunder", mr. eckels's fearfulness leads to drastic consequences for the rest of the world.

in the story, mr. eckels, who is a hunter, hires a time travel company to travel to the age of dinosaurs. although he is excited for the hunting expedition at the beginning, when they reach there and mr. eckels sees the tyrannosaurus, he feels frightened. as he is afraid of the tyrannosaurus, he steps off the path although he has been warned not to do it. by stepping off the path, the entire course of the future is affected: mr. eckart alters the future by stepping on a butterfly, which causes a new man to be elected president in the future. in that way, it is mr. eckart's fearfulness what triggers 'the butterfly effect' and what leads to drastic consequences for the rest of the world.