SPEECH CRITIQUE In this paper, I will critique one of the most famous speeches in American History. This speech was given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement on August 28, 1963, and is known as the “I Have a Dream Speech”. This critique will focus on his exceptional delivery, his superior organizational skills, and his emotional appeals to the audience. INTRODUCTION It started with a powerful location. Dr. King recited his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. President Lincoln was known for being the president who defeated the southern states on the issue of slavery. In his speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. opened by expressing to everyone that he was joining them in “The Greatest Demonstration for Freedom in the History of …show more content…
This really made an impact on me. By stating that “he had a dream”, Dr. King wanted to transmit his wishes and faith for a better future where people will treat each other equally, without any discrimination or segregation. The ending was the most heartwarming aspect of the entire speech. When he started with the lines from the song “My country Tis of Thee”, the crowd erupted in praise and cheer. CONCLUSION After listening to this speech, it is in my opinion that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is probably one of the best orators the world has ever seen. He not only was able to make clear and valid points, but could identify with the people, keeping the audience engaged and responsive throughout the entire speech. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr made this speech memorable by emphasizing phrases with repetition at the beginning of sentences. He also repeated key words throughout the entire speech. He incorporated quotes from historical documents, the bible, and used metaphors to highlight contrasting concepts. His repetition of Let Freedom Ring truly drove the speech home. I would recommend this remarkable speech to anyone who hasn’t gotten the chance to experience
| This was a very good way to start off the speech. Martin Luther King Jr. starts by recalling when Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which was the first step to Black freedom, and that what they were doing then was the next phase.
Martin Luther King Jr. changed the Civil Rights movement with the sound of his voice. Martin Luther King was the most powerful activist for equal rights because of his peaceful marches, and speeches. The March on Washington and the I Have a Dream speech were the most important events he participated in. The “I Have a Dream” speech took place in August, 1963, in Washington D.C. The speech was monumental for the Civil Rights Movement, as it was broadcasted nationwide. The speech consisted of how African Americans have been discriminated against as time progress since the Gettysburg Address one hundred years before. Dr. King then went on to explain some of the problems African Americans still face today. As the speech went on he gradually raised
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historical speech, “I Have a Dream,” on August 28, 1963 in Washington D.C., Maryland at the Lincoln Memorial. King establishes ethos in his speech and the goal behind this rhetorical strategy is to allow his audience members to know that he is a credible source. He establishes pathos within his speech and the goal behind this is to appeal to the emotion of his audience in order to convince them to join him in the fight for equality. King also establishes logos, and the goal behind this strategy is to allow his audience to understand that he is making this speech to address the discrimination and unfair treatment of the Negros in the U.S. at this point and time. King applies several rhetorical strategies in his speech to deliver his perspective of
Martin Luther King Jr. gives this speech on September 28, 1965. This time period was the heart of the Civil Rights movement in America. Slaves received their freedom at the end of the Civil War, in 1865. However, the battle for former slaves did not end there. While they may have earned their freedom, there was still a long road ahead to achieving equality. Martin Luther King Jr., was a Civil Rights activist and speaker. In this speech, he talked not only about what has been accomplished, but about everything that was still a problem. Touching on the KKK, racism, troubles voting, and even the unemployment of African Americans in Chicago. He touched on how during slavery, slaves often referred to the story of Moses leading the Israelites
In addition, “Servant leaders put the needs of customers, employees and communities first.” (Servant Leadership, 2013) Although Dr. Martin Luther Jr. focused on a diverse crowd of different nationalities, his speech was heard on the radios and then on newspapers. The channel of the speech focused on a diverse crowd of different nationalities within America, but wanted the attention towards the United States government. The speech took place at Washington D.C on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln
Dr. Martin Luther King jr gave his speech in front of the lincoln memorial on the beginning of the civil rights movement he marched up their with his confidence and gave the winning speech that changed our lives. He talked about how be racist to the African American’s isn’t right and how you should treat them like your best friend and you should give everyone that you see a fair chance you can’t just judge them by their skin color. Dr. Martin Luther King jr later was assassinated on his balcony, but he still lives in our hearts to this
It was charismatic leaders like Martin Luther King that offered the most visionary answer to this cause (Farber, 1994). He believed that society could be made whole, and chose the message of the power of love and suffering. He believed that every person no matter what their race, gender, or creed was a child of God. King became a member of the power elite, and taking inspiration from Gandhi delivered his message through nonviolent resistance (Farber, 1994).
On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech to more than 200,000 people during the March on Washington. King's speech was one of the most influential during the era of the Civil Rights Movement and is to this day recognized as a masterpiece due to its effect on the audience as well as for its eloquence and language. Many components went into this passionate speech that portrayed King's hopes for racial equality and a brighter future made the speech as moving as it was. It is doubtful that any person can guess that this speech was written without forethought regarding what goals King wished to accomplish in this speech. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eloquent language was perfectly suited to his audience, both his
The study of effective writing, speaking and the art of persuasion is known as rhetoric. Throughout time it has preserved its key purpose of educating individuals. Rhetoric not only covers what one could say but also how one might say it. Rhetoric is the use of effective language, which includes pathos, logos, and ethos (Burton). Rhetoric is comprised of five core categories, also known as canons: invention, style, arrangement, delivery, and memory.
On August 28th, 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr stood on the steps in front of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. He spoke passionately for 17 minutes on his views about human equality for African Americans at one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in history. King played a major role in ending the segregation for African Americans. His rhetorical language left an impact on America. Through his use of appeals like ethos, logos, pathos, and other rhetorical techniques. He influenced Americans to believe in the notion that all men are created equal.
He starts his speech with the same intro as President Lincoln. He uses many colorful languages to persuade his audience. He also uses historical reference such as “five score ago” used by President Lincoln in “Gettysburg Address”. His purpose for the
Historically speaking, Martin Luther King’s speech was about racism, discrimination, and inequality of African American people in the sixties. Doctor Martine Luther King delivered his speech on August 28, 1963. The speech was
according to some, one of the greatest of all his speeches. In it, he looks forwards not only to the
In addition, he used the repetition of words to emphasize the significance of his entire speech.
This speech took place on August 28, 1963 millions of citizens, children, law and policy makers attended while 250,000 watched on TV as a Baptist Preacher ,a Boston University Graduate Dr, Martin Luther King stood behind a podium. He established an immediate rapport with an ever changing audience and communicated on a meaningful level, by appealing to moral conscience of Americans standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. He gave the rhetorical demands that racial justice no longer shall people be divided by race or religion. Although at the time it wasn't the case, it was a future vision that " all people are created equal" ( M.L.K.)