I Have A Dream Ethos Pathos Logos

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On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King delivered one of the most iconic speeches in American history, 'I Have A Dream.' against racial injustice and discrimination, Dr. King's speech called for an end to the oppression of black Americans and envisioned a future where everyone was judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin. Through the use of persuasive techniques such as ethos, logos, and pathos, Dr. King's speech not only inspired a nation towards the common goal of racial equality but also transformed the civil rights movement. Dr. King used ethos, logos, and pathos to appeal to his audience's sense of morality, logic, and emotion, ultimately inspiring and uniting a nation toward a brighter future. Dr. …show more content…

Martin Luther King Jr. then employed logos to appeal to their sense of logic and reason. In his "I Have a Dream" speech, King appealed to logos when he cited the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation, stating that they were promises that had not yet been fulfilled for African Americans. He did this to support his arguments and establish credibility with his audience. As an example, he stated "When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." By invoking these historical documents, King was able to establish a logical and rational argument for racial equality, using the very principles on which the nation was founded. This logical approach helped to inspire and unite the nation, as it appealed to the audience's sense of reason and justice. Through his use of logos, King was able to forge a compelling case for the civil rights movement, uniting people to work for a better