Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

Martin Luther King Jr., a well-loved civil rights activist, in his speech “I have a Dream” (August 28, 1963) argues that discrimination based on race is an injustice. King creates his arguments through the use of an appeal to his character, allusions, and repetition. He talked to persuade his audience on how even though people of color are free people, they still do not get the same, needed, rights of white people in order to convince the audience to take action and do what’s right. King spoke for an audience of black people, of all ages, who have felt discrimination based on their race. In his extremely important speech given in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. clearly states and strongly persuades his audience through the use of an appeal to

In the text, King states, “It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment,” (1). King stating this shows how he cares about how well the nation succeeds. He wants what is best for everyone in order for the nation to thrive and continue to make needed changes for the better. According to King, “This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy,” (1). With this, the urgency and priority of discrimination is made known by stating that taking the needed steps for change, cannot be done gradually. Knowing that King believes that gradual steps are not the solution, it makes it known that he wants to see a change be made right now for people of color. King’s effective use of appealing to his character was beneficial to his main idea of discrimination based on race is an injustice by explaining to his audience how he cares for this matter and what he thinks needs to be done in order for

King’s allusion to the Declaration of Independence states, “This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men, as well as white men, would be guaranteed the ‘unalienable Rights’ of ‘Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,’" (1). With King quoting the Declaration of Independence, it shows that he wants guaranteed unalienable Rights for black men as well as white men to experience. According to King’s allusion to the Bible, “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together,” (2). The allusion to the Bible shows that King is a spiritual man, and that he believes that everything happens for a reason. He knows that everyone, no matter their color, is supposed to stand up for the wrongs in the world and make the changes that are necessary. The use of allusions was for King’s benefit by proving to his audience that he is a wise man that isn’t afraid to show his spirituality and