In this analysis of a primary source excerpt, Margaret Chase Smith’s “Remarks to the Senate in Support of a Declaration of Conscience,” students will cite evidence to answer the lesson’s focus question: What did Senator Margaret Chase Smith hope to accomplish with this speech? This 9th–10th grade (ELA) lesson guides students through understanding how repetition, vivid and persuasive words, and allusions impact the audience’s reception.The lesson uses close reading strategies to draw students progressively deeper into the text. First students read the text to identify repetition, learn about the historical context and build vocabulary. Re-­‐reading, they connect allusions in the text to the historical context. Students write an essay answering the lesson focus question and citing evidence from the speech. For 11th grade U.S. History teachers who may wish to use this source while teaching the Cold War unit, there are additional resources.