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Martin luther king speech literary devices
Martin luther king i have a dream analysis
Martin luther king speech literary devices
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Martin Luther King gave a speech on 28 August 1963. This speech is one of the most famous speeches, not only for the purpose, but for the literary terminology that contributed to the hidden voice he wanted to portray. This voice is something many African Americans understood on a personal level. Martin Luther King used this voice to explain the conflict and racism the African American culture experienced. Along with the literary terminology, King also had plenty of rhetorical devices used in his speech. Anaphora, metaphors, repetition, allusion, and parallelism were all used to bring an emphasis on the equality African Americans were fighting for. Martin Luther King used anaphora to illustrate the trials of inequality and racism in the African American culture. …show more content…
His speech was given to an abundance of people of all races. However, his voice spoke out to the African American community the most. King used anaphora several different ways during his speech, because he was proving what troubles African Americans went through. Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase to make a point. Martin Luther King used anaphora in more than one paragraph. Paragraph thirteen stands out more than others, because it answers the question, “ When will you be satisfied?” Martin Luther King uses that hidden voice to partially answer the crucial question that need answered. However the whole phrase of anaphora is “we can never be satisfied”, King finds a way to change the wording just enough to grammatically speak, but still get his intentions across. His intentions with this speech was to make change for the African American community and to help them get the equality they
On August 28th, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C, Martin Luther King Jr., spoke to roughly twenty-five thousands people attending the March on Washington for jobs and freedom. In Dr. King’s speech, “I Had a Dream”, he uses rhetorical devices to convey that all people are created equal and to educate the importance of the Civil Rights Movement.
The recurrence of the same word or phrase creates a powerful and distinct tone that King used in the delivery of his speech. Anaphora is used frequently throughout his speech to emphasize his points. Near the beginning of his speech, he said, “but one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later…” King continuously used the words “one hundred years later” to highlight the duration of their battle. Despite previous efforts in improving the nation, King stressed how little progress has been made in the past century. In addition, Epistrophe is present as well. “With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” His consistent use of the word “together” accentuates the purpose of his dream, to break the walls of segregation and unite with all people of colour and
During the 1960s inequality was a major problem in the United States. One advocate for making things right was Dr. Martin Luther King. Dr. King organized many marches, sit-ins, and boycotting events. But one of Dr. King’s greatest and memorable works has to be the “I Have a Dream” speech. During this speech Dr. King was conveying a message of freedom for all, to 250,000 civil right followers and many more people listening to the radio broadcast. To spread his message Dr. King uses rhetorical appeals like logos to appeal to the reason of his audience, ethos by his examples of practicing what he preached, and his metaphorical language and repetition.
One of the most influential speeches ever given on the earth was given on a potiumat the Lincoln Momorial in Washington D.C on August 28th 1963. The great speech was given by Martin Luther King Jr. who deciatied his time on earth to prove that all people are equal. Martin Luther used different parts of the English language to enhance the meaning of his speech and bring out the details. The different rhetorical devices, allusions to historic documents, and metaphors seemed to have brought about the emotions that King was trying to arouse in his listeners. This helped him influence his listeners towards wanting equality for all and changing what was happening in the present so they didn't repeat things in the past .
Dr. King produced many popular and powerful pieces throughout the Civil Rights Movement. Also King led many demonstrations against the Jim Crow Laws.While reading “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and The Drum Major Instinct Speech, I analyzed the different uses of the rhetorical strategies Dr. King used in his writings. Dr. King uses rhetorical strategies to promote racial uplift and social change.
Martin Luther King did not know that his “I Have a Dream” speech would still be iconic 50 years later. In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington. He was facing the problem of racial injustice for himself and everyone like him. He needed to create a speech that everyone could and would understand, could learn from, and could draw inspiration from. He had to address blacks and whites, he had to say things that everyone could relate to and he had speak in a way that he get the
The art of King's words in his speech are so articulate and marvelous that sets off the mode and tone in harmony throughout the text. "Lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean," "dramatize a shameful condition," "unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and "bright day of justice emerging." Magnificent, promissory, sacred obligation, sweltering, racial justice, dignity, inextricably bound, unspeakable horrors, exalted, prodigious, and spiritual are just some words found in the speech. Despite their different lettering, they all share something in common. From the author's choice of these words, it tells you that this speech was inspiring, uplifting, and bold. The style of the author's words makes it easier to understand for the audience to listen and not misinterpret it the opposite way. Thus, making it easier for the author to persuade his audience too. A win-win for both
Martin Luther King uses a lot of repetition in his speech. They are scattered throughout but very close. One of the repetitions in his speech is “I have a dream.” He uses this phrase to show what he sees in the future of America. One of the phrases he uses with it is: “I have a dream that one day this nation will and live out the true meaning of its creed: we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” Another is “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their nature. I have a dream today.” (King, M. L. Jr. (1963, Aug.28) Para 12) Two other repetitions he uses is “Let freedom ring” and “Free at last.” (King, M. L. Jr. (1963, Aug.28) Para 16&17)
Martin Luther King Jr., sparks emotion amongst the readers, through the use of pathos in attempt to create an emotional feel. His diction and vivid language makes this appeal successful. He writes on his scratch paper given to him in jail “I guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say "wait" (Longager & Walker, 2011, p. 270). The phrase “I guess” conveys the irony and absurdity of his claim. “Stinging darts” is also powerful, and truly makes the audience feel sorrow for those facing racial segregation. His strong diction is also depicted through anaphora. The repetition of phrases and words such as “when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mother,” “when you have seen hate filled policemen curse” and “see tears welling up in her eyes” provide the reader with a sense of sadness. By emphasizing “you,” he forces the reader to put themselves in the position that he is in, and experience it with him. Using anaphora creates a sense of memorability and urgency, all while remaining in the pathos category (Longager & Walker, 2011, p.256). Strategically used repetition not only forces the reader to focus on an idea, but also assists in conveying his intended message. The logos appeal is also in effect here. He utilizes the logos appeal to argue a non-violent protest is a wise decision. He details the daily life of an African American man, using words such as
On August 28th, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous and powerful speech I Have a Dream, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The purpose of his speech was to fight for the civil rights, equality, and to stop the discrimination against African-American people. His use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor in his speech had created an impact with his audience. King used the three rhetorical devices, ethos, pathos and logos to help the audience understand the message of his speech.
King’s historical 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.
In Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech, “I Have a Dream,” Dr. King addresses the nation in the March on Washington during one of America’s most fragile and dark times. King carries on his shoulders the responsibility of bringing a broken nation back together. He attempts to appeal to his audience of several thousand people through his use of logos, ethos, and pathos. King understands the importance of his opportunity; he needs to capture the attention and grab the heartstrings of his massive audience of people from all walks of life.
In Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, King makes use of an innumerable amount of rhetorical devices that augment the overall understanding and flow of the speech. King makes the audience feel an immense amount of emotion due to the outstanding use of pathos in his speech. King also generates a vast use of rhetorical devices including allusion, anaphora, and antithesis. The way that King conducted his speech adds to the understanding and gives the effect that he wants to rise above the injustices of racism and segregation that so many people are subjected to on a daily basis. Throughout King’s speech, he uses the rhetorical mode, pathos, to give the audience an ambience of strong emotions such as sympathy.
King was an amazing speaker, but his expertise on a lot of lit elements really helped him be one of the greatest. According to the text, the ones that really stood out and touched the audience are his use of anaphoras and allusions. Anaphoras and allusions are very important to include in a speech/paper because of their ability to connect to the audience. Anaphoras are specifically important for getting a point across and to leave it stuck in the listener’s/reader’s mind. While on the other hand allusions are more for the purpose of proving a point and getting the audience to really think about what the speaker/author is saying. Now the reason these lit elements were so crucial for Dr. King’s speech, was because it would be nothing without them. It would be nothing because it would never have gotten across to the many people it did in the same way without anaphoras and allusions. Without these lit elements he might have never persuaded some people to be on his side to fight segregation, and when fighting something of that matter, every person
On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech to more than 200,000 people during the March on Washington. King's speech was one of the most influential during the era of the Civil Rights Movement and is to this day recognized as a masterpiece due to its effect on the audience as well as for its eloquence and language. Many components went into this passionate speech that portrayed King's hopes for racial equality and a brighter future made the speech as moving as it was. It is doubtful that any person can guess that this speech was written without forethought regarding what goals King wished to accomplish in this speech. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eloquent language was perfectly suited to his audience, both his immediate and secondary audience, and his carefully chosen diction helped to shape arguable one of the most touching works ever spoken.