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Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Speech

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He is an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and a leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He influenced the whole of world in just a few minutes in a true sense and he managed to sway not only African Americans but also people from other nations into the right direction of true justice. It was the courageous, high spirited, self assured, and decisive, Martin Luther King Jr. I personally witnessed the scene where King conveyed his message through an interminable yet effective speech which lasted for about seventeen minutes. King effectively communicated his speech on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Washington, D.C., Lincoln Memorial during the march on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It would be easy to …show more content…

King used different components of english language to intensify the importance of his speech. He used many rhetorical devices, metaphors and allusions to bring out the emotions of the audience. He showed unshakeable confidence; his body language was serene and disciplined when giving his speech. It takes a commanding voice for a leader to persuade and inspire the listeners and King’s roaring voice certainly did the part. King spoke like a true preacher by raising his hand and sharing his thoughts and opinions. King used powerful and expressive language in order to magnetize sentimental affinity to his listeners, such as: “This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.” “We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities.” “Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.” King repeatedly used the line “ I have a dream” towards the end of the speech to trigger the emotions of his audience and give them hope. He spoke this line with an extreme emphasis as it encourages his audience to change “today” instead of being contradistinguished against. King gives them hope that they would one day considered as equals

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MLK’s use of pathos and repetition is an effective way to persuade his audience about his position on civil disobedience. In King’s speech he says, “Its ugly record of police brutality is known in every section of this country” (King Page 6). This evidence, revealing MLK’s use of pathos, was used to reach out to the emotional citizens who have either experienced or watched police brutality. The use of pathos is effective because it appeals to emotions and the issue of civil rights and civil disobedience. Civil rights is an emotional subject for those who were affected by it, and MLK is proving his argument on civil disobedience.

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King apologizes for taking his audience’s time, which seems oddly weak compared to the powerful logical argument he previously presented. He turns this around quickly by reminding the audience that all of those arguments and appeals that were so effective were all written while he was in jail. This boosts the respect they have for King one last time. Finally, King ends with a powerful metaphor that calls upon the “fellow clergymen” to help lift the “fog of misunderstanding,” revealing the “radiant stars of love and brotherhood” underneath(11). He relates segregation and prejudice to a deep fog that keeps potential beauty and harmony locked away beneath its surface.

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Dr. King uses all sorts of figurative language in his writing. He uses a form of persuasion known as logos and pathos. Logos is the appeal to logic, and pathos is the appeal to emotion. Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” took place during the March on Washington

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He speaks in a measured and deliberate manner, conveying the gravity of the atrocities he is discussing. In contrast, King's speech is more celebratory and hopeful, reflecting the optimism and energy of the civil rights movement. This is shown through the quote “I say to you today, my friends, though, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.” (King

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Dr. King was a brilliant man who, when describing his passions, used both detail, and precision. Two of his most famous pieces are his speech, “I Have A Dream,” and his “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” Dr. King continuously uses emotional appeal (pathos) and logical appeal (logos) in his work to persuade readers and excite their opinions. Although King expresses both greatly in each writing, the way he asserts pathos is farther more effective due to his extensive ability to relate to his audience through personal, heartfelt emotion.

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Martin Luther King used persuasive speech to get his points across. Throughout his letter, he presented an issue, restating opposers’ points of view and the value it holds, ending with a suggestion which appeals to all sides of the issue. He also countered these criticisms with honesty and equity,

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King is showing that he knows that criticism must come from a place of respect and never from a place of anger or frustration. King is appeasing the white clergymen by telling them that he understands where they are coming from. King again uses his words to calm in his I Have A Dream speech. King speaks of the future of their country. Kings says “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, 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, 263).

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King repeated many of his words throughout the speech, but the words he chose to repeat had an impact on his entire address and left the audience thinking about certain things. For example, King repeats the words “we can never be satisfied as long as…” and “we cannot be satisfied as long as…” until he finishes that part of his speech with, “No, no we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream” (King). He repeats “satisfied” over and over to tell the Black Americans they cannot settle any longer and that they have to higher their standards when thinking about their rights. King’s repeating of those same phrases not only makes those sentences memorable but also makes an impact on the audience. Another, for example, “I have a dream…”

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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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His leadership demonstrated that he was brave enough to stand up for his beliefs. The speech “Beyond Vietnam- A Time to Break Silence” is a clear example that King took the initiative to speak his mind. The fact that he stood up and spoke for many individuals demonstrates that he was a man of honor, and integrity. Martin Luther King made his speech persuasive by appealing to the audience’s emotions, credibility, and including powerful diction.

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There is a disagreement in society. It is a disagreement and an argument that has been continuing for many generations, and will continue for many generations after this one. It is a disagreement of oppression, a disagreement of injustice, a disagreement of racial discrimination. This disagreement had been discussed, and argued as well as against it has even been written about. In Martin Luther King Junior’s ‘I have a dream speech’ this racial disagreement is discussed and spoken about in front of thousands of people and became one of the most referenced and influential speeches in history.

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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.

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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.

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He started from the Emancipation Proclamation 100 years ago on Lincoln’s time, spontaneously transition into the current situation where the black people lived. He used the accent when it comes to "One hundred years later," which is getting heavier and heavier to express the aggravation of his anger. By using lots of parallel metaphor and construction in his speech, he promulgates the the promise made by the government in that time and unequal treatment of black people, which formed the contrast between ideal and reality. Therefore, King indicated that it is time for the government to fulfill the

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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.

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