Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

822 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay on effective speaking

Martin Luther King’s speech was made after the March on Washington on August 28, 1963. He delivered the “I Have a dream” speech on the Lincoln Memorial steps. He verbalized this speech to millions of people blacks and whites. This is one of the greatest speeches because it has many elements like repetition, assonance and consonance, pathos, logos, and ethos. Repetition in M.L.K.’s Speech 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) Assonances in M.L.K’s Speech In his speech he also uses many assonances and consonances. They are most occurring and mostly found at the end. One of them is “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” (King, M. L. Jr. (1963, Aug.28) Para 17) Others are “molehill of Mississippi”, “Lookout Mountain”, “curvaceous peaks of California”, and “Rockies of Colorado.” They all have the poetic feeling to them. (King, M. L. Jr. (1963, Aug.28) Para 16) Pathos in M.L.K’s speech Martin Luther King Jr. uses Pathos in his s... ... middle of paper ... ...pair”. (King, M. L. Jr. (1963, Aug.28) Para 11). In the beginning of his speech he says “five score years ago,” which is in relation to Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address’s opening, “four score and seven years ago.” (King, M. L. Jr. (1963, Aug.28) Para 2). He also uses the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence as references. He says, “This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (King, M. L. Jr. (1963, Aug.28) Para 4). Conclusion On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King made his famous “I Have a dream” speech on the Lincoln Memorial after the March on Washington. He delivered this speech to millions of people blacks and whites. This is one of the greatest speeches because it has many elements like pathos, logos, ethos, repetition, assonance, and consonance.

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dr. King first starts out all pumped up on a very light note. He is very optimistic about his speech in the very first line. However he bluntly addressed the issues of hardship, which African-Americans endured while America was beginning to become a stronger symbol of hope and freedom. He acknowledged the experience of wealth which his race became accustomed to, the ghetto poverty. He recognized the right of each color and pale man who contains the right to live, liberty, and the pursuit of true happiness. As bluntly as he began his speech, he boldly pointed out the Supreme Law of The Land- the Constitution - and quoted the Declaration of Independence as all.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Dr. Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

    931 Words  | 2 Pages

    I thought owning expensive cars, multiple houses, and dining at 5 star restaurants in the city were all part of the American dream, but I was wrong. The American Dream is an opportunity for each person to achieve personal fulfillment through success. I enjoyed this powerful speech because he described his vivid dreams in which blacks and whites are able to live together in harmony and peace. Just like the audience, I was deeply touched by these images, and we could all imagine what a new and joyous we should live in society today. King successfully achieved his emotive purpose through these words, and bonded with the hearts of his audience. Dr. King inspired me to help others and try to make a difference in my community and in the world. I would like to listen and watch other speeches by Dr. King because he made the world realize that "all men are created equal." King had hoped, a strong effect on national opinion and resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, authorizing the federal government to enforce desegregation of public accommodations and outlawing discrimination in publicly owned facilities, as well as in the workforce. That eventful year was climaxed by the award to King of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. Martin Luther King’s skillful use of rhetoric in his “I have a Dream” speech was a major turning point in American history and represented

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of the I Have a Dream Speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    The very title of his speech was probably taken from his use of anaphora which was present throughout his speech. "I have a dream that one day the nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed¡K that all men are created equal." For the next few lines of his speech he repeated these words, "I have a dream," which helped arouse emotion in his audience and give them hope. This hope was that they would one day be treated as equals and walk side by side with the all other races. King uses his the phrase "I have a dream today," twice as its own paragraph. This statement was probably spoken with great emphasis since it gave the listeners the desire to change "today" instead of continuing to be discriminated against. Martin Luther King's speech could have very well been titled something else but because of his use of anaphora which strongly emphasized these words it earned itself the title "I Have a Dream."

    Read More

  • How Did Martin Luther King Jr I Have A Dream

    536 Words  | 2 Pages

    had delivered his speech on the day of August 28, 1963 titled “I Have a Dream.” to millions of people who wanted the same equality he did. A massive group gathered on that day in Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC men and women as well as the most prominent civil rights leaders for the same reason. (Archives). Freedom and equality. King had always wanted equality and freedom for African Americans, even as a younger man in college. And when he made that famous speech so powerful and inspiring a national change had begun with that once a brave and wise

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of I Have A Dream Speech

    1351 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Legacy of Martin Luther King Junior: A Riveting Journey

    281 Words  | 1 Pages

    On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Junior gave a life changing speech to many people throughout the world. It is known as the I Have A Dream speech. This was a great achievement in Kings life, it changed the life's of thousands of people across America. The speech was about how Martin Luther King Junior was calling out for an end to racism in the United States.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King Jr. had a Dream

    648 Words  | 2 Pages

    Martin Luther King Junior’s famous speech “I have a Dream” has many amazing memorable references. For example one reference is “let freedom ring” which is in the last sentence before the last paragraph of his speech. Another reference according to Standord.edu is borrowed from a speech given by a minister by the name of Archibald Carey which was a politician and family friend of Mr. Kings. That speech was delivered on 8 July 8, 1952 at the Republican National Convention. One of the best references that Mr. King mentions in his speech is from the United States Constitution itself, he said “This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I believe King was inspired by all the men he referenced in his speech therefore he decided to honor them by using their words to prove a point to his entire beloved country and all of it’s people.

    Read More

  • I Have A Dream Ethos Pathos Logos

    1072 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s famous speech “I Have a Dream” given on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Dr. King stated “This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Meaning there shall be equality between one another. Dr. King grew up around pastors in a Baptist Church, so when giving his speeches he would tend to sound like a preacher. He was known as a well-educated person who graduated from Boston University where he obtained his Doctorate degree. He was also a hard worker for civil rights for members of his race. Because of his strong work ethics and having knowledge of civil rights, it made him

    Read More

  • Pathos In I Have A Dream Speech

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    King uses in his speech is Pathos, which is the appeal to someone 's emotions or beliefs. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. presented a strong feeling towards African-American people about how they were treated as equal individuals “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” (King par. 3). Another example of pathos that Dr. King used was when he uses vocabulary and phrases, such as “I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream” (King par. 12). He uses the appeal of emotion, especially the word of choice and diction to let his audience’s know what he would like to see in the

    Read More

  • I Ve Been To The Mountaintop Analysis

    2092 Words  | 5 Pages

    Three of the most famous speeches of all times are “I Have a Dream”, “A Time to Break Silence” and “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”. Written by Martin Luther King Jr., these speeches were well delivered and successful. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man who certainly left an impact. King was a Baptist minister and social activist who played an extremely huge role in the Civil Rights movement. People before his time, like Mahatma Gandhi, helped to shape him into the man he was and inspired him throughout his involvement in the Civil Rights movement. King thought African Americans, people who struggled economically, and the ones who were victims of injustice deserved equality. Peaceful protests were King’s chosen method of accomplishing this

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In I Have A Dream Speech

    1218 Words  | 3 Pages

    On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave the “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. This was a real turning point at this time due to the tension of segregation and racism in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century, and his “I Have a Dream” speech became one of the most influential speeches due his use of rhetorical strategies in order to bridge the social divide in America. The reason for this is because of his passion to see change in the racial segregation in the United States, and his intelligence on the topic of racial discrimination. From his upbringing as a young boy in Atlanta, Georgia to his eventual assassination

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King's Usage of Ethos Pathos Mythos and Logos

    750 Words  | 2 Pages

    On August 28, 1963 more than 250,000 civil-rights supporters attended the March on Washington. Addressing the protesters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Profoundly, he proclaimed for a free nation of equality where all race would join together in the effort to achieve common ground. King stated his yearning for all colors to unite and be judged by character, not by race. African Americans would not be satisfied until their desire for freedom from persecution, bitterness, and hatred prevailed. Not only were the points in his speech powerful, but also the delivery he gave was so persuading and real that it changed the hearts of many people across America. By using four artificial proofs, mythos, logos, ethos, and pathos, Martin Luther King was able to open the eyes of people who were blinded by the color of skin.

    Read More

  • What Was The Purpose Of I Have A Dream Speech

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    King begins his speech by referencing important historical documents such as the Constitution of the United States and the Emancipation Proclamation. This is emphasized when he states, ”Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation...But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free”. Which shows how even though the Emancipation Proclamation freed the African Americans from slavery, they still are not free because of segregation. He then transitions to the injustice and suffering that the African Americans face. He makes this

    Read More

  • I Have A Dream Ethos Pathos Logos

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. delivered this speech on August 28, 1963, at the march on Washington for jobs and freedom. Many regard it as the greatest speech of the twentieth century and, more than that, one of the greatest speeches in history. Though King was one of those several featured speakers that day, “I Have A Dream” became synonymous with the aims of the march and the entire civil rights movement. His dream represented the dream of millions Americans demanding a free, equal, and just nation.

    Read More

More about Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

Open Document