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Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

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In August 1963 Martin Luther King electrified the American population with his extremely powerful 'I Have A Dream ' speech. This speech is extremely effective as King 's use of rhetoric demands racial justice in an unjust society. Martin Luther King use of carefully planned use of language through a wide range of techniques make 's this speech an effective one through both the oral delivery and written text. The techniques of repetition, quotations, specific examples to moments in American History and metaphors emphasize King 's main argument in this speech, where he believes ' 'America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as its citizens of colour are concerned ' ' and he calls for the Negro community to use their voice in society …show more content…

At the beginning of this text King refers to the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, however then compares that to the society in which they find themselves in one hundred years later. King 's repetition of the phrase one hundred years really shows us that society at that time had not really progressed from the time of Abraham Lincoln in terms of racial justice. King describes this with very raw imagery of captivity when he says ' 'one hundred years later the life of the Negro is still badly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination ' '. The repetition of the phrase one hundred years also sets up the overall poignant feeling in this speech when he states ' 'one hundred years later the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. Another example of where King uses clever repetition of phrases is in the second half of this speech where King presents his view for a better future in America, where all people are equal. King 's repetition of the word of ' 'I have a dream ' ' is extremely effective in this speech. One of the most effective examples for me where King uses this phrase accompanied with the powerful imagery of slavery in America is ' ' I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood '

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“I Have A Dream” “I Have A Dream”, a quote that many Americans hold dear to their hearts and a quote that is remembered and is associated with an unforgettable movement in history of the Untied States of America. From 1954-1968 one of the most memorable movements in history took place and will not be forgotten is the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the many greats remembered and recognized in the movement for being an influential leader of his time. Having given over 2000 speeches, MLK(Martin Luther King) has one particular speech that stands out from the many and it is his “I Have A Dream” speech. MLK’s message being about peace, unity, fairness and freedom for and to all people shines through in this speech.

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Dr. King successfully informed his audience about their rights and how America has denied them these rights. In the words of Dr. King, “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred”. Dr. King’s purpose is also to advise change in a peaceful manner. In this metaphor, he does not want his audience to submit to physical violence because it would only prove to the people in power that African Americans are dangerous. Martin Luther King Jr. fulfilled his purpose in his “I Have a Dream” speech which correctly impacted the rhetorical

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In paragraphs 16-24 he repeats the phrase “I have a dream.” This is an example of repetition. MLK also uses analogy in his speech in paragraph 4. In the text, King compares American civil rights to cashing a bad check. King compares the two to show how worthless the promise of African Americans civil rights is.

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King’s mention of Lincoln appeals to his audience because Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation

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