The Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s through 1960’s had many leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcom X and many more. But King was the only one who stood out of the pack. His purpose was to have equality for all races, not just African Americans. King had addressed a speech that he had written and spoke of it at the Lincoln memorial in Washington D.C on August 28, 1963. In King’s “I Have a Dream” he motivated and touched not only African Americans but white folks as well in the world and in the crowd. His speech delivers a powerful message during the Civil Rights Movements by using rhetorical devices of metaphor and allusion.
King’s speech was given on August 28th, 1963. His purpose was to endorse freedom for slaves. He begins his speech with the emancipation of the slaves, issued by Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln later mentions that after being freed from slavery, blacks are still not free. King claims all men were issued a check and a promise of freedom, yet for Black men and women that check has come back with “insufficient funds”. The members of the civil rights union issue a check to America, they return America’s unkept promise with one they are sure to keep: the continued pursuit of justice. King, along with many supporters, demand their freedom now, they demand things to change with a sense of urgency and without procrastination form the oppressor. They do not want to see slow changes over the time to make justices a reality for all of “God’s children.” However, King hopes to obtain equality through nonviolent movement. He tells fellow Black people to not have hatred or bitterness in their heart or turn to guns and fists. He knows that violence to obtain peace only leads to an endless cycle of fighting, ...
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...ica. This speech is still being used today in all schools for education purposes.
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King opens his speech by urging the African American population to be active and aware. He utilizes recurrent phrases in his speech suggesting that it is vital to “remain awake” (1) during revolutions expressing that people must intervene to acquire justice in all aspects of their lives, and by claiming that it is detrimental
Web. The Web. The Web. 26 Mar 2014. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html>.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important voices of America, who used non-violent methods to fight for freedom and equality for all in his nation. On August 28th, 1969, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., King delivered his most iconic speech “I Have a Dream.” In this speech, repetition, ethos, pathos, and logos are used to persuade the audience about the importance of the Civil Rights Movement. To create the greatest demonstration for freedom, he used these literary devices to “dramatize a shameful condition” (“I Have a Dream”). Although his life was taken away, his legacy continues to live on today.
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.
Whenever Martin Luther King Junior, began to speak, he held everybody’s attention. This was the case in 1963 during the pinnacle of the Civil Rights Movement when Martin gave his career defining speech “I Have a Dream”. Over a quarter million people attended the protest, and the crowd varied in color as well as cause. A crowd of this size would certainly frighten most people; but Martin was not the type of man to be phased easily. Martin grew up on the racist streets of Atlanta, Georgia and faced much adversity in his life. Not even thirty-five Martin would give a speech that would shake an embroiled nation to its core. Martin Luther King Junior gave a speech to beautifully wove together the three appeals of ethos, logos, and pathos into one
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
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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.
King, Martin L. "Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]." Letter to Fellow Clergymen. 16
Garrow, David J. "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." History Net: Where History Comes Alive. N.p., Aug. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.
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.
“Martin Luther King, Jr.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2013): 1. Middle Search Plus. Web. 1 May 2014.
From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial more than two score years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King electrified America with his momentous "I Have a Dream" speech. Aimed at the entire nation, King’s main purpose in this speech was to convince his audience to demand racial justice towards the mistreated African Americans and to stand up together for the rights afforded to all under the Constitution. To further convey this purpose more effectively, King cleverly makes use of the rhetorical devices — ethos, pathos and logos — using figurative language such as metaphors and repetition as well as various other techniques e.g. organization, parallel construction and choice of title.
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