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Logos In I Have A Dream Speech

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a Dream" speech was a pivotal speech given in response to the problem of segregation in the United States. In the speech numerous examples of logos, ethos, and pathos were extremely prevalent. The first part of the essay will consist of the analyzation for Dr. Kings’ speech and its structure. Next, the use of pathos, ethos, and logos will be clarified to show how Dr. King used these techniques to get his message across to the audience. Finally, the conclusion of his speech will be analyzed, and it will be shown it solidified the message he was trying to convey to the world.
The structure of a speech can be the determining factor of whether the speech was as effective as it was intended to be. Without proper …show more content…

King used numerous examples of pathos, ethos, and logos throughout his speech. Pathos appeals to audience’s emotions and feelings, whereas ethos relies on the author's credibility. Logos are used in heated discussions to help get a message across. Pathos often rely on the use of logos and ethos to be effective. An example of pathos used in his speech is how he could guide the emotion of the crowd to make them feel sympathetic towards African Americans. He could make the crowd understand how segregation was tearing the country apart and made people have feelings toward the subject. He stated, “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) He talked as a parent wanting the best for his children which emotionally touches people because many people want their children to have a better life than they did growing up. He used ethos in the beginning of the speech when he stated” Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. In this example, he refers to President Lincoln and the great work he had done to abolish slavery. This example provides credibility to his speech because he referenced president Abraham Lincoln who played a major role in the ending of slavery. He also referenced the Declaration of Independence, the most important piece of literature ever written for this …show more content…

He wanted everyone across the county to follow him and end segregation once and for all. Dr. King begins to mention different regions of the country from coast to coast and says, “Let freedom ring” (King). This was basically a call to arms for all parts of the country to join him in trying to end segregation and allow everyone to share the same rights and privileges that the Constitution of the United States lays out for every

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