Night by Elie Wiesel - The Perils of Indifference Speech Discussion and Activity

Extend your Night by Elie Wiesel unit with this meaningful speech analysis and writing activity centered on Elie Wiesel’s powerful 1999 address, The Perils of Indifference. In this lesson, students examine Wiesel’s message about responsibility, memory, and moral courage, making thoughtful connections to the themes of Night by Elie Wiesel. After analyzing excerpts and engaging in discussion, students apply what they’ve learned by crafting their own persuasive speech about a modern injustice. This post-reading activity encourages empathy, civic awareness, and purposeful writing while reinforcing key ideas from the memoir.

This is included in a unit plan:
→ Night by Elie Wiesel Unit Plan

Included in the Night by Elie Wiesel Perils of Indifference Speech Writing Activity:

➡️ Elie Wiesel Speech Video & Discussion Task Cards: Students watch Wiesel’s historic 1999 speech (video link included) and examine selected excerpts through structured discussion prompts. These task cards guide students in analyzing Wiesel’s message and making personal, global, and text-based connections to Night by Elie Wiesel.

➡️ Speech Response Assignment: After discussing the speech, students choose one excerpt to explore more deeply. They analyze its meaning, explain its significance, and connect it to themes or moments from Night by Elie Wiesel, current events, or their own experiences. This step strengthens analytical thinking and prepares students for their own persuasive writing.

➡️ Modern Injustice Speech Writing Planning Organizer: Using a detailed graphic organizer, students select a modern injustice and plan a persuasive speech inspired by Wiesel’s message. Prompts guide them in developing a strong hook, clearly explaining the issue, incorporating a meaningful personal or historical connection, and ending with a clear call to action.

➡️ Speech Writing Pages: Students use their completed organizer to draft and revise a final version of their speech, modeled in tone and structure after The Perils of Indifference. This culminating task reinforces organization, persuasive techniques, and purposeful language while encouraging students to raise awareness about issues that matter to them.

If you like this, you'll love this resource: 
→ A Year of English Bell Ringers

© Presto Plans

➡️ Want 10 free ELA resources sent to your inbox? Click here!