Rhetorical Analysis Of I Had A Dream Speech

Martin Luther King Jr.s “I had a dream” speech is an iconic and historical speech. It spoke volumes to the African americans struggling with racism and segregation, and helped government and whites to understand the struggle. On the surface, King’s speech might just seem like a man dreaming for a better america, with equality. That he wanted for everyone to be equal and for everyone to love one another for who they are inside, not just on the outside. And that he wanted to speak out and let everyone hear what he has to say. King’s speech might say that, but while closely analyzing his work, we can see there is a whole other side, and a reason for every comma, word, and quote.
This speech was given during a time of inhumane racism and segregation.

King uses pathos to his advantage, making the common people feel bad about their actions. He does that by explaining the things that the blacks have gone through trying to gain equality. King is able to portray the anguish that blacks have gone though by saying that “the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality” King is making the people feel like the blacks have done nothing wrong and done nothing to deserve this hate. He says that even “our children” are feeling this hate as they “are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: ‘For Whites Only’ ” In the iconic “I Have A Dream” section of King’s speech, the use of pathos is used very well. The whole idea of that section is that King has a dream. A dream that everyone will one day be equal. That his own kids will grow up and “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”. This is very personal. The entire section is based on personal dreams that King hopes and wishes to be

Logos is when undeniable facts and very logical thinking is used to support the stance taken. Ethos is when the speaker uses their background and credibility to reassure their audience that they are a trustworthy source. King uses many bible quotes in all of speeches, but in this speech, the use of bible quotes are supporting his ethos appeals, as anyone who knew about Martin Luther King Jr., knew he was born into a preacher 's family and was one up until his death. Logos is used when King quotes government documents; the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Emancipation Proclamation. He literally is saying that in the backbones of America, everyone is granted equal rights, yet, blacks aren’t getting their equal rights. There is no way to argue with that and it is obvious King did his research to find this point and make sure it was throughly backed