ipl-logo

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

607 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Rhetorical analysis essay on mlk's speech

Grace De Leon
Cynthia Bradley
AP English Language
25 January 2023
MLK Speech Rhetorical Analysis
Martin Luther King/Jr., in his speech “I have a dream,” argues the issue and overall importance concerning equality in America. Luther uses his first-hand experience and his knowledge of racism to build an argument on how to eliminate this increasing dilemma between the black and white citizens of the United States. Throughout his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. uses poetic language devices such as repetition, symbology, metaphors, memorable quotes, strong adjectives, and personal pronouns to draw in the audience and highlight the change that American society must undergo. Martin Luther King jr. uses repetition, symbology, syntax, quotes, and metaphors …show more content…

Martin Luther uses repetition to represent his views on the future of freedom in America and his hope for equal rights for all. The most prominent use of repetition throughout his speech is when he says, “I have a dream...” King repeats this expression as he progressively develops an idea of his ideal future. It becomes a type of anthem as he paints a picture of a developed country with cultural unity and equality among races. Throughout the speech, the phrase “I have a dream” is used continuously to state his ideas for progression, his ideals for the future black people of America, and to form his critique of American society at the time. Many black citizens faced significant inequalities and obstacles between 1963 and the preceding years. Through Luther’s speech, many citizens resonated with the emotion in his language and urged a movement that would be a different cause for revolt, one meant for human rights instead of a pay wage increase. Martin Luther portrays the harsh reality of the black American people and how society must overcome these restraints and join

Show More
Related
192 Words | 1 Pages

In Martin Luther King’s famed “I Have A Dream” address, and his “Letter From Birmingham Jail” King makes use of bothe logos and pathos in his writing. It is because of these that his writings have risen to such prominence and stirred so many to action. But while he used both logos, the use of reasoning, and pathos, the use of emotions and charged language, a careful analysis shows that they are not equal. For King has a talent for dramatic, poignant resounding language, one which he uses to full effect and is much more powerful than logos. To demonstrate, take this passage “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it’s creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

Read More
621 Words | 3 Pages

In the speech "I Have a Dream'' and “The Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr utilized accomplishing influential figurative language to persuade his peers to ensure justice for unacceptable civil rights, of injustice meant of this period. Martin Luther King Jr was a civil rights activist for segregation. Martin Luther King Jr was exceeded in his movements with the use of rhetorical devices made a huge impact on his movement, because his use of powerful language made a comforting and strong message, provided a safe environment to freely express how they felt, and a dynamic voice for the period. Doctor King. compares“...quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.”

Read More
363 Words | 2 Pages

“I have a dream today!” Was once said by Martin Luther King Jr. In my opinion while some might not say I say Martin Luther King Jr is effective in his speech because his use of analogies, parallelism, and his restatement to persuade his audience. Firstly, Martin Luther King Jr is persuasive with his analogies.

Read More
504 Words | 3 Pages

The world is shocked once again by a senseless act of violence in the United States. One after another, Negroes have died in the long struggle to bring racial justice to the American continent. Most have died unsung - lynched, murdered, and buried in the swamps of the American South. Until recently their deaths awoke the conscience of few Americans and brought no change to the racialist structure of the Southern economic and social system. Now to their number is added Dr Martin Luther King.

Read More
615 Words | 3 Pages

Martin Luther King Martin Luther King’s rhetoric speech “I Have a Dream” given in 1693, March on Washington, has noticeable different rhetorical devices that set this speech apart. Devices that Martin Luther King used to become the voice of thousands of people, making his beliefs immortal throughout the years. As for today, society embraces his ideas and he is, until now, the voice of those who could not stand up for themselves. He has such a good way to convert what he sees and believes into words that will later share a message to the word.

Read More
946 Words | 4 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr., a minister and social activist, led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. He was an advocate for equality between all races and a civil and economic rights Activist. Because of his leadership, bravery and sacrifice to make the world a better place, Martin Luther King was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. His incredible public speaking skills and ability to properly get his message across can clearly be scene throughout the speech. Tone: Dr. King delivered his speech at the university of Oslo in Oslo Norway in front of a large group of people.

Read More
742 Words | 3 Pages

King presents an “I have a dream” phrase throughout the entirety of his speech (1-3). This is an example of a King putting faith in the people that freedom will soon come by repeating his phrases consistently. He uses this phrase repeatedly to show what he envisions in an America that does not experience racial discrimination. Besides his famous dream phrase, he uses phrases such as “now is the time” and “with this faith” (King 1,2). Phrases such as these give the audience motivation to take action in gaining freedom.

Read More
772 Words | 4 Pages

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King jr. stood on the steps of the Lincon memorial and passionately gave his famous speech. This speech is credited with being a catalyst for the Civil Rights movement and calls for a change in the way African Americans were treated in the United States. In his ardent speech about racial injustice toward African Americans, Dr. Martin Luther King jr. captivates his audience through his use of rhetorical comparison, allusions, and ethos to call people to action against Racial discrimination against African Americans. As it was used throughout his speech king utilizes repetition to voice his thoughts for example, when King states that he still has hope for the American dream, he uses the phrase “i have a dream” multiple times emphenziseing that he still has hope.” I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed ‘ we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal’”(73-74).

Read More
976 Words | 4 Pages

“I Have A Dream” “I Have A Dream”, a quote that many Americans hold dear to their hearts and a quote that is remembered and is associated with an unforgettable movement in history of the Untied States of America. From 1954-1968 one of the most memorable movements in history took place and will not be forgotten is the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the many greats remembered and recognized in the movement for being an influential leader of his time. Having given over 2000 speeches, MLK(Martin Luther King) has one particular speech that stands out from the many and it is his “I Have A Dream” speech. MLK’s message being about peace, unity, fairness and freedom for and to all people shines through in this speech.

Read More
770 Words | 4 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr.’s overall tone in his speech is determination; determination to gain equality for all races and colors and for the nation to unite in fighting the injustices of inequality in America in the 1950’s. I Have A Dream, is all about his dream that one day all the injustices in the world will one day disappear. The use of diction brings the reader towards his tone of determination , contributing to his overall feelings towards his mission of wanting freedom and equality, which he portrays throughout the entire speech. King uses bold words repetitively such as "freedom" "dream" and “justice” to open his argument that equality will bring freedom to the black community.

Read More
804 Words | 4 Pages

On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr gave us one of one of the most rhetorically moving speeches ever given. Titled as the “I Have a Dream Speech,” he read this speech to the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom”. As a civil right mover he gave this great speech to all Americans (black and white) so that he could give off the idea of equality on the same level. Because of his crowd of mix races King made sure to make his speech imploring to all no matter what the race that they may be. He uses metaphorical imagery, powerful diction,and symbolism to create an impact on the audience.

Read More
433 Words | 2 Pages

On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy gave his remarks on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Robert’s goal was to inform people on Martin Luther King’s journey and to strengthen people’s attitudes on the whole situation. Robert’s main points throughout the speech were how the country as a whole should move forward, why the states should not resort to violence but unity instead, and he also addressed that the country needed unity, love, and compassion.

Read More
719 Words | 3 Pages

Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have a Dream” is vastly recognized as one of the best speeches ever given. His passionate demand for racial justice and an integrated society became popular throughout the Black community. His words proved to give the nation a new vocabulary to express what was happening to them. Martin was famously a pacifist, so in his speech, he advocated peaceful protesting and passively fighting against racial segregation.

Read More
1848 Words | 8 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. Luther was a charismatic leader who took a firm stand against the oppressive and racist regime of the United States (US), devoting much of his life towards uniting the segregated African-American community of the US. His efforts to consolidate and harmonise the US into one country for all is reflected in many of his writings and speeches spanning his career. As a leader of his people, King took the stand to take radical measures to overcome the false promises of the sovereign government that had been addressing the issues of racial segregation through unimplemented transparent laws that did nothing to change the grim realities of the society. Hence, King’s works always had the recurring theme of the unity and strength of combined willpower.

Read More
874 Words | 4 Pages

His speech can be divided into two parts, his call to action of the situation african Americans were living in. How some Americans are blinded to stitution “ refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt”. ( Luther) That there is no better time than now to improve this racial

Read More

More about A Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

Related Topics

Open Document