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Techniques of persuasion
Analysis of martin luther kings speech
The challenge of persuasion
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Recommended: Techniques of persuasion
Persuasion is used in many everyday things these being mostly advertisements. Persuasion is made up of many different parts. These different parts always try to dig deep into our DNA to find what we really want. The people of the world know what we want. So trying to persuade someone is practically talking to yourself. When people advertise to other humans all they have to do is ask themselves, “What do I like about this product?” Instantly they will have it running on the radio, T.V., and many other media devices. Persuasion is always best heard rather than read. A person trying to persuade us is much harder than, us trying to persuade ourselves. A great point in history was riddled with persuasion. Martin Luther King Jr’s speech was full of persuasive remarks about the present day civil rights movement. In his speech he used three rhetorical devices to get his points across, the devices he used were repetition, allusion, and restatement. The first rhetorical device that is widely seen in the MLK’s speech is repetition. King’s speech is famous for many lines, and one of the ma...
In considering the letter from Birmingham Jail written by Martin Luther King, Jr., It was decided that I would write in the same format as him. I hope you don’t mind. The purpose of this “letter” is to discuss the most effective rhetorical device used by Dr. King. Three rhetorical devices are pathos, logos, and ethos. In my opinion, the all work hand in hand, therefore, I will discuss all three of them.
On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the Lincoln Memorial concerning the Civil Rights movement. His speech resonated throughout the nation as his passionate and commanding voice resounded over the fields that lay before the Lincoln Memorial. Many consider this speech the “epitome of modern Rhetoric.” In his speech, King utilizes the three disciplines of Rhetoric, ethos, pathos, and logos, with finesse and skill.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the leader of the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. His speech, entitled “I Have a Dream” was given in front of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. Dr. King used his speech as a rally for people, blacks and whites alike, who desired equality and social justice, but there is so much more to it than what appears on the surface. Dr. King employs a number of stylistic techniques, all of which serving a purpose too subtle for the naked eye to pick up. Dr. King uses the stylistic techniques of word choice, metaphors, and repetition to fuel hope and bring about change.
In 1963, prominent civil rights leader, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia gave a speech to the numerous participants of the March on Washington movement. In his speech to those ardent supporters of civil liberty, King discussed his hopes and “dreams” for the salvation and freedom of his people in the United States of America. In his exceptional speech, Dr. King utilized the rhetorical strategies of Metaphor, Repetition, and Allusion to captivate his audience and to spread his message throughout the nation.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of our greatest leaders. MLK had lived in a harsh segregated time while living as a pacifist. In his lifetime he has accomplished many achievements like protesting rights that African Americans didn’t have and also started marches and bus boycotts. One of his most famous marches was called the “March on Washington.” The “March on Washington” was a huge march for Dr. King, many people of different races had participated. Shortly after the march everyone gathered at the Memorial to hear MLK’s speech about how African Americans have suffered for natural rights. The speech was broadcasted worldwide and has inspired many people. In MLK’s speech he used many different literary elements to persuade and get the the people see where his is coming from. In order for people to understand the meaning of MLK’s speech, we have to know why and how he used allusion and anaphora to persuade his audience.
Martin Luther King was assassinated the night this speech was spoken. Robert F. Kennedy was on his way to a campaign speech and he felt that he needed to address King’s assassination because of his extensive influence in the society. When he spoke “On the Death of Martin Luther King Jr.,” he informs us of Martin Luther King’s assassination and persuades us to remain a country without violence and an ability to understand in tough times; then, through our pain, we will gain wisdom and move past the hard times. This speech is rhetorically powerful through his use of ethos and pathos, connecting to the audience through personal experience, using figurative language and rhetorical devices in the process.
According to Merriam Webster, the term “ethical” can be defined as “rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad.” Being able to differentiate between what is good, and what is bad is key when it comes to many things. One of these things includes persuasion. There are many concepts that can explain why certain principles of persuasion can be more ethical than others, and many that are critical to being an ethical communicator. Said concepts are explained in Rothwell’s text, In the Company of Others, Robert Cialdini and Steve Martins video, Science of Persuasion, and Stephen Carter’s text, Integrity.
When I ponder about policy tools and which one I believe is of most importance; I choose suasion. Trying to persuade groups or individuals to think/do a specific action or keep them from behaving a certain way is not only important; it’s a prerequisite for being successful in life. I hold suasion to be the most important policy tool because of how much weight that can transfer from leader to follower using it as conveyance. Successful leaders can direct their followers with simple incentives that alter the way someone can behave or think; the suasion tool is what seals the situation that can either sway people towards you or away. I feel that as an educator in today’s schools, our successful principals are the individuals that use this tool to their advantage that can either create unity or spark revolt. Suasion is the process of influencing someone’s behavior to either change or discourages them from thinking or committing an act. There are many examples of instances where this is tool used; from anti-smoking campaigns in health clinics to anti-junk food advertisements in today’s school cafeterias and hallways. This tool is flexible in the fact that someone can be either ‘pushed-into’ a decision or kept from making a decision based on persuasive means. Some people may not care for an incentive or any kind; they may just want to think or feel differently on subject matter; suasion can accelerate this.
Dr. King uses ethos, logos, and pathos effectively throughout his letter to address a large audience. He intertwines the three rhetorical strategies seamlessly to support his argument. Although Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has his critics in the clergy who argue against his civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham, he effectively uses all three types of rhetorical strategies to effective persuade his critics by explaining why his actions are just and timely in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
Repetition is useful to show the audience the importance of the subject and the urgency to react. King’s historic speech in 1963 has held great symbolic value not only for the African Americans, but also for all of the equal rights supporters of every age and race. He was the first one who really fought for the same rights of African Americans and therefore inspired other people to live his dream and to continue his work for racial equality. Work Cited King, Martin Luther Jr. “I Have a Dream”.
From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial more than two score years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King electrified America with his momentous "I Have a Dream" speech. Aimed at the entire nation, King’s main purpose in this speech was to convince his audience to demand racial justice towards the mistreated African Americans and to stand up together for the rights afforded to all under the Constitution. To further convey this purpose more effectively, King cleverly makes use of the rhetorical devices — ethos, pathos and logos — using figurative language such as metaphors and repetition as well as various other techniques e.g. organization, parallel construction and choice of title.
In closing, Persuasion is a powerful tool, both in trying to persuade others and being
Persuasion is an important aspect of communication, certainly a significant business activity. Regardless of whether this comes in the form of a sender influencing a party or the receiver itself is being influenced. Typically, this could come in the form of a salesman or, even a manager communicating with key stakeholders, such as potential investors.
In the most widely quoted and discussed model of presidential power, Richard Neustadt states that the power of the president lies in the power to persuade. According to Neustadt, the key to presidential success and influence is persuasion. Although some may view the president as a powerful authority figure, the checks and balances established by the founders makes the president’s skills of persuasion crucial.
The book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini illustrates the implementation of reciprocation, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity. The book identifies these six principles as weapons of influence in aiding with persuasion. The following explains and applies each principle.