Essay On I Have A Dream Speech

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The Declaration of Independence, The Emancipation Proclamation, and The Constitution all declared everyone of all color to be free ;however, people are still segregated and denied their rights based on the color of their skin. In the speech “I have a Dream” by Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. he persuades his audience to treat everyone (of all color) as equals and to give everyone the rights that they deserve. This speech was the most compelling because there were many rhetorical devices being used which helped emphasize the idea of all men being equal and free. It also emphasized how much he fought to be equal with no hatred in his heart. The most important main idea was when MLK stated that all people of all color need to be free and to be equals. Two rhetorical devices he used to make his speech the most compelling was pathos and imagery. For example he said “... the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” (King). This showed that MLK didn’t want vengeance but freedom, which appealed to the emotions of his audience. Another …show more content…

Rhetorical devices he used were flashbacks and figurative language. For example he says “... America has given the Negro people a bad check…” (King). He used personification to compare how African Americans are being treated to a Bad check, which made his speech more impactful. Another example is when MLK says “From every mountainside, let freedom ring.” (King). He uses personification to get his point across which is that he wants freedom to be seen and given to all people of all color in all places. He also says “Five score years ago…” (King). He uses flashback to state to his audience that everyone should have been free many years ago (100 years ago) but they are still--denied their rights. This supports the central idea because it stated that everyone should’ve been