Name: _____________________________ Period: ______ Date



Name: _____________________________ Period: ______ Date: ___________________

A Day of World History Infamy

Analyzing FDR’s Pearl Harbor Address

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, shocked the nation and led to a declaration of war by the United States against Japan the following day. In asking for this declaration, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave a monumental address to Congress and the American people. He knew that this speech would be one of the most important in American history. It is widely known as the “Day of Infamy” speech and is replayed numerous times every year on the anniversary of the attack. However, the word “infamy” was not in the original draft of Roosevelt’s speech. He inserted it in place of the words “world history”. The change in tone that resulted has helped his speech remain one of the most famous in American history.

Task: Determine the meaning of the words selected by FDR as he edited the draft of his December 8, 1941 address to Congress following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Directions:

1. As a class, we will listen to the abbreviated version of FDR’s “Day of Infamy” speech.

2. Pair up with a partner and read the draft of FDR’s “Proposed Message to the Congress”.

3. While you are reading, note the handwritten changes on the document. Compare them to the word, or words, that have been edited. Understand that these instances of editing were for 3 reasons: meaning, tone, and/or clarity.

a. Meaning: Intended to communicate something that is not directly expressed.

b. Tone: the style or manner of a piece of writing or a speech. Tone helps determine the feel of a work for the audience.

c. Clarity: clearness of understanding; ability to perceive the truth directly

4. On the back of this paper, use the “Day of Infamy Artifact Reading Guide” to evaluate the changes made to the original draft of the document and how they affected the meaning, tone, and clarity of the document.

5. You will be given 15 minutes to read the document and complete the Artifact Reading Guide.

6. Before discussing the Artifact Reading Guide, we will listen to the full version of the “Day of Infamy” speech with your documents. Make changes to your evaluation, if needed, after listening to the speech for the second time.

7. As a class, we will discuss the Artifact Reading guide.

Day of Infamy Artifact Reading Guide

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt prepared to give a monumental address to Congress and the American people on December 8, 1941 describing the attack on Pearl harbor and asking Congress for a declaration of war against Japan. He knew that his speech would be one of the most important in American history. Therefore, the meanings and tone of his words were of great importance. Using the draft copy of FDR’s “Day of Infamy” address, identify the changes in meaning and tone with his edits.

Meaning, Tone, and Clarity

1. “World History” to “Infamy”

a. Define “infamy”:

b. Why did he make this change?

c. Is one word choice better than the other? Why or why not?

Meaning

2. “Simultaneously” to “suddenly”

a. Define “simultaneously”:

b. Define “suddenly”:

c. Why did he make the change?

Tone

3. “Diplomatic negotiations must be considered at an end” to “Seemed useless to continue the existing negotiations”

a. What is the tone of “must be considered at an end”?

b. What is the tone of “seemed useless to continue”?

c. Why did he make the change?

Clarity

4. Adding “at the solicitation of Japan” to the first line of the second paragraph

a. What is the meaning of “solicitation”?

b. Why did he make the change?

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_____/10 points

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