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Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr

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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). When king repeats “I have a dream” he's saying that he still has hope that racial equality would be achieved, even though he is attacked with segregation and discrimination. Another use of repetition king utilizes is when he's talking about how they came to this spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. king repeats the phrase ”Now is …show more content…

Another use of allusion is when king states” and so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltop of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from ring from the mighty mountains of new york. Let freedom ring from the Hightning Alleghes of Pennsylvania”(32-39)When king mentions the phrase” let freedom ring” his words illustrate a vision of freedom and equality. When King says “Let freedom ring” from mountains in the states, he's emphasizing that change is here. King's use of allusion concludes that African Americans deserve freedom, and the people and the states need justice; white boys and black boys could hold hands and be

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His masterful delivery of these metaphors and the frequent repetition makes the speech much like a poem or a part of a song. This special lyrical and parallel structure helped get his main points across and allows a large audience to understand simple but powerful words (Layfield) . The rhythm and frequent repetition are used to drive home his key points, stressing the importances of his goal. As example, King uses “I have a dream that one day...” and “Let freedom ring..” to open his points on how Americans should change against racial indifferences. Furthermore the King’s parallel structure clarifies and highlights his intent by building up to a more important point.

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Emma Winkler Mrs. Coleman English I 3 April 2024 MLK Rhetorical Analysis Essay On August 28, 1963, Martin Kuther King. Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered a speech that is commonly known across America called “I Have a Dream.” He delivered his speech in front of over 250,000 people of all races and backgrounds in hopes he could gather citizens who are willing to help make a stand and fight for equality and end segregation. He wanted to share his dream that his 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 utilizes repetition, anaphora, and allusion to help emphasize the importance of his speech.

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This speech is not only one of the most popular speeches in history but it is also one of the most significant ones. What makes it so important is the powerful message that Martin Luther King Jr. fought for. This message regards human equality, justice, and the desire to end discrimination. Plus, the King hoped his audience to be influenced by his passion for liberation in order for them to be motivated enough to make a difference in the world. There are other reasons why Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech is still praised ‘till this day.

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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.

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Martin Luther King Jr. was the greatest influence among both white and black people in 1959, during the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jr. changed how the people viewed slavery and the rights of African Americans with his powerful speech. He brought to the people words of trust, power, and most importantly hope. In 1959 Martin Luther King dedicated himself to the principles of non-violence.

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employs allusion to emphasize the historical progression of racism. For example, King illustrates,”... In whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation” (King 48). The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves of America, making it an important moment in history. King uses this allusion to show that eventually discrimination will no longer be an issue of our future.

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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.

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Early in his speech, he talks about how they were promised freedom by the Declaration of Independence In which he states, “the architects of our republic,” which he alludes to the founding fathers (4). He alludes to the founding fathers to show how they had promised freedom to all black and white men, yet this failed to be true because discrimination counts as not having freedom. As well as this King references a direct quote from the Declaration of Independence when saying, “ Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (4) King uses this direct quote to establish what everyone was promised, by the Declaration of Independence. All of these quotes that King has used are to how everyone should have already been treated

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Martin Luther King Jr. effectively crafted his counter-argument by first directly addressing his audience, the clergymen, and then using pathos, ethos, and logos to refute his opponent’s statements and present his own perspective. After stating the general purpose of his letter, King specifically addressed the clergymen to set up for his logical counterargument. King effectively makes use of pathos, or to appeal to the emotions of his audiences, throughout his letter. when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters; when you see the vast majority of your twenty million brothers smothering in an airtight cage of poverty in the midst of an affluent society; when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six year old daughter why she can’t go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see ominous clouds of inferiority beginning to form in her little mental sky, and see her beginning to distort her personality by developing an unconscious bitterness toward white people; when you have to concoct an answer for a five-year-old son who is asking: “Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean? ”

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Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.” This statement is used throughout paragraphs 20-24. This is repeated continuously throughout the speech because he wants to get the point across, that he isn't going to get rid of slavery in just his city but in every

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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.

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King appeals to the audience by using strong words and repetition. By using repetition of “let freedom ring” and with this faith it helps the audience be reminded of his purpose that change will occur and equality will reign. This rhetorical technique helps the speech come across strong and more powerful and really convinces the audience of the idea of change. Martin Luther King Jr’s speech was revolutionary and changed the view of many Americans. He helped achieve this effectiveness through his strong choice of diction and loaded words and his assertive tone that grasped the audience's attention.

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Aherne, Dylan Mr. Shipp English 1, Block 1 May 24th, 2023 Literary Devices In I have a Dream Martin Luther King Jr's speech “I Have a Dream” went down in history as one of the most impactful speeches given, that continued to inspire society for generations to come. King uses literary devices such as anaphora, analogies, and metaphor to give a better understanding, and to make a greater impact on the listeners in Washington DC. First, anaphora is the repetition of the first part of a sentence. King uses anaphoras three times throughout his speech.

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Allusions are used in this speech to create associations with the American ideals of freedom, equality, and justice, and to persuade MLK’s audiences of his belief in civil rights. King uses allusions throughout the speech to create ethos by quoting from historical documents that express the American values of freedom and equality,

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This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and unity that draws the listener in and makes them feel a part of the message. Dr. King also uses allusion in his speech to connect his message to the broader struggle for civil rights. He alludes to historical events and figures like the Emancipation Proclamation and Abraham Lincoln to show that the fight for equality is part of a long and ongoing struggle. By connecting his message to these historical events, Dr. King creates a sense of continuity and purpose that inspires his listeners. Metaphors are another rhetorical device that Dr. King uses to great effect in his speech.

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