Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

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It is imperative that young men and women are exposed to qualified leaders. These role models are wise with their words, and whimsical when delivering their message. Among other great characteristics, a leader must know how to verbally drive a crowd, this individual should be inspirational, compassionate, captivating, and Dr. King was a prime example. In presenting a great speech known as "What is Your Life's Blueprint" to the students of Barratt Junior High School, the Reverend understood how to use language effectively when crafting his charismatic tone. Through numerous strategies, Martin Luther King successfully demonstrated the art of rhetoric, which made his presentation exceptional. It was on October 26th, 1967, where the reverend …show more content…

Kings speech showed to be an extremely effective rhetorical strategy. In order for one to fully grasp his various claims, Dr. King symbolized his ideas through everyday objects and life structures such as "buildings" and "doors." Although these structures are simple and concrete, they have abstract meanings associated with them. According to the passage the reverend asserts "Now each of you is in the process of building the structure of your lives, and the question is whether you have a proper, a solid and a sound blueprint." Dr. King also emphasizes another symbol when he pronounces "And I say to you, my young friends, doors are opening to you - doors of opportunities that were not open to your mothers and your fathers-" To put in other words, Reverend King acknowledges the symbolic value of his comparisons, and this is why his use of metaphors are so effective because the audience can understand his message through these rhetorical …show more content…

To enumerate, these devices can all be considered forms of hortatory language the way they all contribute to King's reassuring voice. When concluding his verbal presentation, the Reverend motivated the High School Students to excel in whichever career they chose to partake in. The passage reveals his driving voice where he suggests "If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera..." That is to say, it is clear that Dr.King used repetition to add positive aggression throughout his speech; this tone would inspire these students to change the world in their "various fields of endeavor." Likewise, the use of alliteration also helps to establish a credible voice. The speech is wrapped up with "If you can't be the sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are." Alliteration adds rhythm to a work of literature, and it is no doubt that the students of Barratt High were drastically impacted by a man who would flow smoothly between his

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