Paired Texts > Malala Yousafzai's Address to the United Nations, July 2013

by Malala Yousafzai 2013

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

Emma Watson's United Nations: "HeForShe: Gender Equality is Your Issue, Too" Speech
Emma Watson's United Nations: "HeForShe: Gender Equality is Your Issue, Too" Speech
Emma Watson

"Emma Watson's United Nations 'HeForShe: Gender Equality is Your Issue, Too' Speech" explores Watson's own experiences with gender inequality and the need for the participation of men to end it.

Pair “Emma Watson’s United Nations: ‘HeForShe: Gender Equality is Your Issue, Too’ Speech” with “Malala Yousafzai’s Address to the United Nations, July 2013” and ask students to analyze the stance of each speaker on men’s involvement in the fight for women’s equality. Emma Watson says she wants “men to take up this mantle” and Malala Yousafzai says “we will do it by ourselves.” Why might each speaker have a different approach to men’s involvement?

8th Grade Speech 950L
In Pakistan, a Self-Styled Teacher Holds Class for 150 in a Cowshed
In Pakistan, a Self-Styled Teacher Holds Class for 150 in a Cowshed
Philip Reeves

This article reports on the efforts of Aansoo Kohli, a 20-year-old Pakistani woman, to bring education to her rural village in Pakistan.

Pair “In Pakistan, a Self-Styled Teacher Holds Class for 150 in a Cowshed” with “Malala Yousafzai’s Address to the United Nations, July 2013” and ask students to describe what conditions students might experience in Pakistani schools. What other issues might prevent students in Pakistan from receiving a quality education?

8th Grade Informational Text 1100L
Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin
Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin
Margot Adler

In the informational text "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin," Margot Adler discusses the not widely known actions of Claudette Colvin in the Civil Rights Movement.

Pair “Malala Yousafzai’s Address to the United Nations, July 2013” with “Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin” to provide to students with another example of a girl who stood up for her beliefs. Ask students to discuss what motivated these two girls to act. Why do students think Malala Yousafzai was able to become a leader of a movement, while Claudette Colvin was overlooked by civil rights groups?

7th Grade Informational Text 1100L
Key Black Leader Turns 60 On South Africa Prison Isle
Key Black Leader Turns 60 On South Africa Prison Isle
John F. Burns

In the New York Times article "Key Black Leader Turns 60 On South Africa Prison Isle," John F. Burns discusses Nelson Mandela's fight against apartheid in South Africa and his experiences in prison after being arrested by the government.

Pair “Malala Yousafzai’s Address to the United Nations, July 2013” with “Key Black Leader Turns 60 On South Africa Prison Isle” and ask students to discuss these two important figures of change. How does Malala Yousafzai attempt to create change in the world and how does this compare to Nelson Mandela’s efforts? How did both of these leaders suffer for their causes?

10th Grade News 1360L
The Real 'Hacksaw Ridge' Soldier Saved 75 Souls Without Ever Carrying A Gun
The Real 'Hacksaw Ridge' Soldier Saved 75 Souls Without Ever Carrying A Gun
Elizabeth Blair

In "The Real 'Hacksaw Ridge' Soldier Saved 75 Souls Without Ever Carrying A Gun," Elizabeth Blair discusses how Desmond Doss saved his fellow soldiers and why he refused to carry a weapon.

Pair “Malala Yousafzai’s Address to the United Nations, July 2013” with “The Real ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ Soldier Saved 75 Souls Without Ever Carrying A Gun” and ask students to discuss how Malala Yousafzai and Desmond Doss responded to violence. Compare their perspectives on violence. What are some similarities between their responses to violence? How did their respective time periods influence their perspectives on violence?

7th Grade Interview 1080L
The Spark That Brought Down Trujillo
The Spark That Brought Down Trujillo
CommonLit Staff

The informational text "The Spark That Brought Down Trujillo" describes how Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship was irreparably damaged after he had three sisters murdered.

Pair “Malala Yousafzai’s Address to the United Nations, July 2013” with “The Spark That Brought Down Trujillo” and ask students to discuss how Malala Yousafzai and the Mirabal sisters’ experiences brought attention to injustice. How did the events surrounding Yousafzai and the Mirabal sisters contribute to change?

9th Grade Informational Text 1140L
How A Typical Teen Did Something Not So Typical to Help Street Kids
How A Typical Teen Did Something Not So Typical to Help Street Kids
Linus Unah

In the informational text "How A Typical Teen Did Something Not So Typical to Help Street Kids," Linus Unah describes the work of one charitable teen who created a nonprofit to help street kids in southern Nigeria.

Pair “Malala Yousafzai’s Address to the United Nations, July 2013” with “How A Typical Teen Did Something Not So Typical to Help Street Kids” and ask students to discuss the challenges some children face accessing an education. What obstacles does Malala Yousafzai find that girls encounter when they attempt to get an education? How does this compare to the obstacles that homeless children in Nigeria face in pursuing an education? How are Yousafzai and James Okina helping children access education?

8th Grade Informational Text 1020L
Harvey Milk Lives!
Harvey Milk Lives!
Thomas Pool

In "Harvey Milk Lives!", Thomas Pool describes the life and career of Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist and politician, who continues to inspire people to fight for equal rights.

Pair “Malala Yousafzai’s Address to the United Nations, July 2013” with “Harvey Milk Lives!” and ask students to compare Malala Yousafzai and Harvey Milk. What obstacles did both Yousafzai and Milk face? Why did both Yousafzai and Milk choose to fight for what they believed in? How does their work continue to inspire others?

8th Grade Informational Text 1060L
The King of Mazy May
The King of Mazy May
Jack London

During the Yukon Gold Rush, a teenager, Walt, risks his life to help a neighbor.

Pair “Malala Yousafzai’s Address to the United Nation, July 2013” with “The King of Mazy May” and have students compare how Malala and Walt were impacted by their different circumstances and environments. How did the time and place they lived in inspire both Malala and Walt to be brave?

8th Grade Fiction - General 1170L