ipl-logo

I Have A Dream Speech Rhetorical Analysis

1061 Words5 Pages

Racial inequality has been a grand issue in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses discrimination in his "I Have a Dream" speech through the use of various rhetorical choices. This speech was delivered on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in front of 200,000 people; in addition, the speech was broadcasted live throughout the nation. What made his speech so powerful was that he was a father sharing his dreams for the future of America. Dr. King was a social activist and Civil Rights leader; he encouraged non-violent protests. The “I Have a Dream” address by Martin Luther King Jr. utilizes components of the rhetorical situation, such as the setting, audience, type of communication, author’s role, and purpose. Knowing where …show more content…

His audience consists of 200,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial as well as people across the country watching on television. Dr. King illustrates that he desires his children to live in a country where they will not be “judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” (King). Numerous African Americans also share this dream as they continuously get discriminated against with segregated schools, bathrooms, water fountains, and unjust Jim Crow laws. Dr. King shares his hopes and dreams to create an image for the audience that one day the nation will improve and racism will not prevail. Knowing and recognizing the audience helps the type of communication Dr. King uses; however, his role contributes to the rhetorical …show more content…

King’s purpose is to inform the audience about the plethora of injustices that America has given them through the use of metaphors. Returning to the historical documents, Dr. King demonstrates how they were cut short of their “unalienable rights.” For example, he writes, “America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.” (King). Here Dr. King compares his rights to a check to help the audience comprehend that America had promised them “unalienable rights” and freedom; however, they were scammed because African Americans were still not free. Dr. King successfully informed his audience about their rights and how America has denied them these rights. In the words of Dr. King, “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred”. Dr. King’s purpose is also to advise change in a peaceful manner. In this metaphor, he does not want his audience to submit to physical violence because it would only prove to the people in power that African Americans are dangerous. Martin Luther King Jr. fulfilled his purpose in his “I Have a Dream” speech which correctly impacted the rhetorical

Show More
Related

Rhetorical Analysis Of I Have A Dream Speech And Letter From Birmingham Jail

668 Words | 3 Pages

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the biggest players in the Civil Rights Movement and he wrote/spoke two famous works, his “I have a Dream” speech and his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” of which both had a different purpose and audience. He used different rhetorical techniques depending on the purpose and the audience that he is targeting with the work such as Logos (Logic) and Pathos (Passion). In Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech his purpose is to encourage people to keep peacefully protesting and not to lose hope or start getting violent. The audience that he speaks to are Civil Rights supporters that want equal rights for all races.

Read More

March On Washington Speech Rhetorical Analysis

1236 Words | 5 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr. inexplicably opened the eyes of Americans across the nation with his role in the movement and his use of resonating imagery, excellent emotional appeal, powerful voice, and evocation of logic in his “I Have a Dream” speech. With such an enthralling rhetoric he gained a vast amount of support and exponentially increased the pride in standing up for what’s righteous and just. Exemplifying the throes of being a colored person, King evoked sympathy whilst simultaneously applying the valid logic that no human should be subjected to lesser standards. His rhetoric wholly changed American history that day and thus conveyed his ability to maintain equanimity throughout all of the

Read More

Prosecutions In 1863 During The Industrial Revolution

83 Words | 1 Pages

My source is reports of inspectors at factories during the industrial revolution, these reports were written in 1863.   The inspectors wrote about prosecutions within the factory. I trust this report because I think it is significantly important these prosecutions were made in 1863 during the time period these harsh conditions were being demanded and they were made by people who either witnessed or took part in these actions. This is proving my working thesis considering how the brutal conditions were a negative

Read More

How Does Martin Luther King Use Ethos Pathos Logos

1041 Words | 5 Pages

He used other rhetorical devices to convince the audience that he and other African-American citizens deserve the same rights as their white counterparts. King used metaphors extensively, which made his words have a greater impact on the audience. He described the life of African-Americans as “crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination” (“I Have a Dream”). This emphasized the difficulties that were experienced by African-Americans and how it hindered them from succeeding. By emphasizing this, King made his argument more persuasive because he captivated the audience.

Read More

Martin Luther King Jr.: The March On Washington

393 Words | 2 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr, a remarkable American activist, has made his way into the hearts of thousands of individuals. Dr.King is widely known for his earth shattering “I have a dream” speech that he delivered over 40 years ago, in 1963. The speech made its first appearance during the March On Washington, one of the largest political rallies in American history that tackled various issues regarding civil rights for African Americans. Dr. King uses numerous persuasion techniques within his speech to enthrall his audience within his will to change the devastating realities African Americans must survive through. Humans need to hear things a number of times before they really become glued into their minds.

Read More

Letter From Birmingham Jail Pathos

611 Words | 3 Pages

On August 28, 1963 King gave a speech titled I Have a Dream while standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The speech's goals were to increase public awareness of the civil rights movement and racial segregation in America while also rallying support for the cause. In his address, King combined logos and pathos

Read More

I Have A Dream Ethos Pathos Logos

1270 Words | 6 Pages

These beginning lines help connect King to the audience and lays the foundation for the rest of the speech. Following these introductory lines, King alters his center of attention and starts to focus on America's history and the beginning of our nation. He states "five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice........". In this section of the speech, King alludes to Abraham Lincoln and the history of America to gain credibility with his audience.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr

504 Words | 3 Pages

King then appeals to the audience’s logos when he explains that our constitution is a “Promissory note” and our civil rights are a check stamped “insufficient funds”. By explaining the black peoples’ problems in this simple term, King gets all the audience to understand that they are there for the same reason, to fight for their civil rights. King takes his audience on an emotional roller coaster ride. King calls his audience to action; he pleads; he provokes, and he inspires. For example, when King repeats the words, “Now is the time…”

Read More

I Have A Dream Ethos Pathos Logos

843 Words | 4 Pages

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.

Read More

I Have A Dream Rhetorical Analysis Essay

770 Words | 4 Pages

King argues that, “It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned... America has given its colored people a bad check." this instils pathos because this causes the audience to invoke pity or sadness for African Americans, thus persuading people to rethink how people are being treated by using an analogy to compare civil rights to a check that's gone bad. King uses parallel syntax in his speeches, to help the audience comprehend the point he is trying to get across.

Read More

I Have A Dream Speech Rhetorical Essay

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

Compare And Contrast I Have A Dream And Martin Luther King Jr.

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

March On Washington

647 Words | 3 Pages

Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. His speech mainly focused on determination & hope. His speech was meant to inspire & support civil rights & rules in Congress. King’s dream that a place where Americans would see each other as brothers and sister was almost fulfilled from this movement. The march had not only achieved substantial goals, but it had also brought attention to the struggle for civil rights

Read More

I Have A Dream Speech Rhetorical Analysis

837 Words | 4 Pages

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is very historical and influential. Dr. King gave his speech on August 28, 1963. He gave this speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. It was a part of the March on Washington, where 250,000 people gathered. It was one of the biggest demonstrations the nation’s capital has ever seen.

Read More

I Have A Dream Speech Ethos Pathos Logos

874 Words | 4 Pages

I have a dream speech Analysis Martin Luther king Jr once said,“ I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration of freedom in the history of our nation.” He addressed these words on August of 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial after marching through the streets of Washington. He addressed segregation injustice and racial discrimination against African Americans that took place during his era, in his “I have a dream speech.” He recognized that american was founded on freedom, democracy where each individual has a voice and matters. Only few weeks back protesters were getting arrested for fighting for equality.

Read More

More about I Have A Dream Speech Rhetorical Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document