The Use Of Rhetorical Devices In The Works Of Dr. Martin Luther King

Author’s use rhetorical devices to enhance their writing and deepen the conncetion between their audience in their story. In two of Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous writings he uses rhetorical devices to grasp the audiences attention and persuade them. In the “Letter From Birmigham Jail,” and the “ I Have A Dream,” speech Dr. Martin Luther King uses appeals to make connections with his audience. Dr. King uses the rhetorical device hypophra, a posed question with an immediate answer. In his “ I have a dream speech,” he uses the hypophra: “ When will you be satisfied.” He then responds with “ We will never be satisfied.” In the “ Letter of Birmingham,” he uses the hypophra “ Isn’t negotiation a better path?” In response, he says, “ You are quite right for calling for negotiation.” Both of these texts using the rhetorical device hypophra, allows the audience to know Dr. Kings response and what he stands up for. This is important because we can know what he says and not have to assume any answers. This connects with the audience by knowing when the audience has a question the reader is answering them in his writing.

Kings two texts he uses the rhetorical device of biblical allusion. Biblical allusion is the reference of something dealing with religion. In his “ I have a dream Speech,” he uses biblical allusion, “Justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Stated in the “ Letter of Birmingham,” he says “ thus saith the lord.” Dr. King uses these appeals of biblical allusion to solidify his argument in hopes his audience will understand, and since it is referenced from the bible they will be more convinced. He also uses this appeal because Dr. King’s father was an African American baptist pastor, in which Dr. King grew up in a religious household. Therefore, Dr. King was able to understand, know the bible, and get his point across by using biblical