Rhetorical Analysis Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech

On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives the final blow to the topic of injustice in the form of a speech which knocks everyone into realization of the conflict that has been arousing in American history. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. displays the problem at hand in his speech to prevent future generations from having the same conflict, and to alert everyone of the injustice that has been laid upon African Americans. He develops different techniques into his speech to persuade the audience into thinking deeply about the topic, and to give them the motivation they need to put an end to the problem. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have an immediate audience because he wants to hear his cries for change. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speech entitled

Martin Luther King Jr. has metaphors in his speech, which has a huge impact on the audience because it appeals to their emotions. For example, when he remarked, “Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds’.” (King, 4) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s comment states that the promise they had been made as American citizens has been broken. King’s causes an uproar upon the crowd when he states this because King finally starts to tune into their emotions, which causes the audience to have a better understanding of his point. Furthermore, he proposed later in his speech ,”Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlight path of racial justice.” (King, 6) In this statement King paints a beautiful picture where no one has to struggle being left in the dark with no direction to go towards. Also, because of the way the metaphor has been written the audience would prefer the scenery of equality instead of the scenery of segregation, which would make them even more eager for change. King made a wise choice of incorporating this technique in his speech because it made everyone visualize a better future where they have been united

Martin Luther King Jr. includes gestures in his speech to make the audience have a deeper connection with him due to his passion and raw emotion. In fact, one of his most sentimental moments happens when he chokes out, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” (King 17). King starts to tear up when he includes his children during the speech, and he looks heavensward almost as if he had been praying for change, so his children wouldn’t have to live through the dark void of segregation. To demonstrate, he represents another form of expressing himself when he demands, “Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.” (King 20) King raises both of his hands when he reaches the word “every”. This small but significant gesture helps the audience feel his energy and passion, which then makes them reciprocate the same emotions towards the cause when they applause and yell out their agreements. Although, King includes many great techniques in his speech, nothing could compare to his emotions because emotions have the power to drive us to do