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Rhetorical Devices In Martin Luther King's Speech

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Malachi Murphy Ms. Albert English 1 5/8/24. “I Have A Dream” Speech by Martin Luther King on August 28th, 1963. Martin Luther King Jr gave his famous speech “ I Have A Dream “. In this speech Martin Luther King Jr uses many rhetorical devices to convey different means to his speech; He also went over the different injustices that were currently happening during that time period, and how he wanted freedom and equality no matter the person's skin tone or race. In the speech “ I Have A Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr, he uses the rhetorical device metaphor multiple times throughout his speech to convey different meanings and feelings to his audience. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. said “This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope” (“I Have A Dream” Speech). Essentially, Martin …show more content…

is saying that the important proclamation or order carries significant meaning, and should be seen as a source of inspiration and optimism for the future. Once more he remarks that “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges” (“I Have A Dream” Speech). Conveying that there will be an ongoing and persistent rebellion that will disrupt the current foundation of the nation. In Martin Luther King Jr’s speech, “I Have A Dream” he also uses the rhetorical device “simile” to further convey more meaning and emotion to his speech, by saying “...and we will not be satisfied until ‘justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.’” (Luther). The comparison with justice to “waters” and “righteousness” to a “mighty stream” conveys a notion of an unstoppable force that cannot be stopped or contained, it suggests that justice will not be bound moreover imprisoned but instead that justice will flow freely, and

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The most effective rhetorical device, I think, used by Martin Luther King is, ethos and pathos because he used the colored people's belief to get them to support him in his journey and he used their emotions to compare it to the whiteś emotion. First, Martin uses ethos,¨Like paul, i must constantly respond to the macedonian call for aid.¨ (SB Page 207) This means, in martinś speech he wisely used the belief of his people (God) to inspirate them. This is a clear example of ethos. Next Martin uses Pathos ¨We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor.”

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Rhetoric is a form of writing in which the author carefully chooses language that will connect with the audience and convince them of the author’s position. This can involve using the rhetorical triangle (ethos, pathos, logos) or other rhetorical devices, such as figurative language or irony. Rhetoric is used frequently by many public speakers, including one of the most important figures of the Civil Rights Movement – Martin Luther King, Jr. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, King employed various rhetorical devices to connect with his audience and convince them that the country must work towards giving African-American citizens equal rights and opportunities.

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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.

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Com 212 Speech Analysis Nicole Myers Southern New Hampshire University This is a brief description of the Famous speech delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr I had a dream   Com 212 Speech Analysis The famous “I have a dream speech delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr on August 28th 1963 in Washington asking the United States government to take some kind of action for equality between black and white people in America. Even though there are many different factors that helped to the accomplishment of the speech, Mr. Kings masterful use of different instruments that encourages president Kennedy and his team to take steps towards equality. King effectively uses many different styles of speech, such as metaphors, anaphora’s, allusion,

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Martin Luther King Jr has a dream when he says “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 states this to give the listeners hope that maybe one day their children will see the changes that the Nation is trying to build. He hopes by the end of all of the protests and the speeches that one day it won't be because of skin color or the way you talk. He wants to make a statement, a statement that when you hear it, you feel it, it gives you a heartwarming feeling. “Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

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King uses repetition of “I have a dream”. This rhetorical technique helps the audience realize that this is what the goals are for the country, that blacks and whites will be treated equally and become on. It also reminds the audience that change will occur. Martin then shifts to talk about faith in paragraphs 27 through 37 by explaining that faith is the key and soon freedom will be known.

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Various world-known public speakers use figurative speech to captivate that audience to where they understand the topic the speaker is addressing. In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. speech, “I have a Dream”, he delivers crucial information while using metaphors and allusions. When using metaphors in a speech, they make comparisons while helping the listener create an image in their mind. Allusions, However, stimulate ideas in the audience’s minds with minimum words.

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