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

1216 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech Analysis

Cheers echoed throughout Washington D.C. August 28, 1963 as Martin Luther King Jr. paved the path to freedom for those suffering from racial segregation. It was the day of the March on Washington, which promoted Civil Rights and economic equality for African Americans. In order to share his feelings and dreams with the rest of the nation, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech encouraging all to overcome racial segregation. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech was very effective due to the use of metaphors, repetition, historical and literary references, and poetic devices. Metaphors Metaphors found throughout the speech created images in the minds of those in the audience and helped make his points stronger. With the use of metaphors, Martin Luther King Jr. caught the attention of his audience and made the speech much more pleasing to hear. Using a phrase such as “flames of withering injustice” was more interesting than just saying “hell” (King, 1963, para 2). When speaking of the life of a Negro, he compared segregation to a manacle and discrimination to a chain. He claimed America did not find Negros to live up to their standards and stated that the Negros received a bad check marked “insufficient funds” (King, 1963, para 5). He then encouraged the audience to “cash the check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice” (King, 1963, para 5). When speaking of Mississippi, a past slave state, Martin Luther King Jr. referred to it as a desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, and claimed that it would be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. Repetition Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized his points by using repetition. The... ... middle of paper ... ...ition and emotion brought listening ears to attention. Metaphors and other poetic devices made the speech interesting to hear and brought imagery into the minds of the audience. Historical and literary references provided legitimacy for the points Martin Luther King Jr. was trying to make. The use of Aristotle’s three appeals provided emotion, ethics, and logic to the speech. Martin Luther King Jr.’s use of these key tools created an effective speech that will be remembered for centuries. References Congress of Racial Equality. March on Washington. Retrieved from http://www.core-online.org/History/washington_march.htm King, M.L. Jr. (1963, August 28). I have a dream- address at March on Washington. Retrieved from http://www.mlkonline.net/dream.html Martin Luther King Online (Producer).http://www.mlkonline.net/video-i-have-a-dream-speech.html

Show More
Related

  • Summary: The Case For Reparations

    1363 Words  | 3 Pages

    On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave the historical I Have a Dream speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. With an audience of about 250,00 people from all racial backgrounds, Dr. King addressed discrimination, prejudice and police brutality against African Americans, and his hopes and dreams of freedom for all people in the United States. Dr. King needed to have a dream because of the mistreatment African

    Read More

  • Normalcy Never Again Speech Analysis

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    The iconic speech “I have a Dream”, originally named “Normalcy, Never Again”, is dubbed to be one of the greatest speech of all time. It was expertly delivered by civil rights activist Dr Martin Luther King, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The speech was delivered during the March on Washington on the 28th of August, 1963. Dr King urgently called for the end of discrimination and racial prejudice between the Americans with different colour. He delivered his speech with finesse, inspiring and persuading his audience through the use of written, audio codes and body language. The written techniques Dr King utilized were repetition and metaphor and in addition, audio codes, which were volume and pace.

    Read More

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

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    He starts of his speech by showing how the Emancipation of Proclamation was supposed to free them but didn’t. King says, “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation of Proclamation.” He then shows how the African Americans feel after this whole time of when they supposedly had their freedom. Dr. King shares, “One hundred years later, the Negro still languishes in th...

    Read More

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

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the most influential speeches ever given on the earth was given on a podium at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28th 1963. The great speech was given by Martin Luther King Jr. who dedicated 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.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Emotional Appeal In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. makes excellent use of all three of Aristotle’s appeals to respond to the clergymen’s accusations. However, he took most advantage of the emotional appeal in order to move the reader and to be able to capture the attention of his audience. Dr. King was one of the greatest speakers in history. He was able to move millions of people with his powerful speeches. Once again, he is successful.

    Read More

  • The Civil Rights Movement In The 1920's

    617 Words  | 2 Pages

    “I have a dream”, Martin Luther King Jr. said in front of thousands at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. a minister and activist had a dream, his dream was to end racism in the United States who wanted economic and civil rights. This era began in the 1950’s when oppression towards African American’s became prominent. Unfortunately racism has been evident for centuries, but it took a series of events that led people to realize enough is enough and there needs to be change. After years of fighting for equality, African Americans were able to make a change.

    Read More

  • The Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King, Jr.

    1003 Words  | 3 Pages

    Martin Luther King, Jr. used a lot of rhetorical techniques in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to respond to the eight Clergymen who criticized his actions of no-violent demonstration in Birmingham calling “Unwise and untimely” (Dr. King 3) they said this about his actions. Also, Martin Luther King used a lot of Logos and ethos in his speech to persuade the reader.

    Read More

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

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Letter From A Birmingham Jail

    1485 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Pathos In I Have A Dream Speech

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    The famous speech, “ I Have a Dream”, was held in 1963 by a powerful leader of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s. He was born January 15,1929 the son of an Atlanta Pastor. Martin Luther King Jr. always insisted on nonviolent resistance and always tried to persuade others with his nonviolent beliefs. In 1963, King spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and almost 200,000 people attended his speech. All his listeners were Civil Rights supporters who rallied behind him and the people who watched his appearance on television. King traveled the country making speeches and inspiring people to become involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He organized non violent student sit-ins and fought for the rights of the black population.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis: of I Have a Dream

    1479 Words  | 3 Pages

    Bates, Claire. "Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech: What does it tell us about him?." BBC. BBC History, 23 Aug. 2013. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. .

    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

  • Rhetorical Analysis of Dr. Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream Speech

    995 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • What Was The Purpose Of I Have A Dream Speech

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    I Have a Dream was a speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. This speech was delivered on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The speech was intended for the 250,000 civil rights supporters that attended. The speech addressed the topic of equality for the African Americans and the White people. The purpose of the speech was to address the issues of segregation and racism as a whole. King speaks about the issues of racism and segregation in America during the 1960’s. He encourages the use of non-violent protests and to fight for equality to help America solve the issue.

    Read More

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

Open Document