Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Gettysburg Speech

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On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. calls for an end to racism in the United States by delivering a speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In Martin Luther King's speech he motivates people to take peaceful action in combatting discrimination by using vivid imagery and emphasizing how long African Americans have been waiting for discrimination and segregation to end. Evoking a sense of patriotism, Martin Luther King Jr. reveals that our country's democracy is not living up to its full potential, but rather teeming with the darknesses of racial segregation and discrimination. Negros "seared in the flames of withering injustice" are still longing for their basic rights that they were guaranteed by our founding fathers many years ago. King uses his word choice very carefully to paint an image. He utilizes words such as "light," "freedom," and "equality," words that resonate with patriotism, to encourage his audience to fight to guarantee their rights. By reminding them of their dark past he inspires them to “rise from the dark desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice” and fight for a hopeful …show more content…

The Gettysburg Address was given by Abraham Lincoln to encourage those to lay down their lives for their freedom. Like Abraham Lincoln, MLK does the same, he inspires his audience to peacefully protest for their rights. He also reveals that even though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed to free the slaves, blacks are still living lives of social injustices. King utilizes repetition of phrases to emphasize his purpose. He says,“One hundred years later, the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled…” He brings to life how long they have been suffering and that now time to take action. King inspires his audience to have act now and fight for

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