Martin Luther King Rhetorical Analysis Essay

In paragraphs 12-14 King uses a combination of rhetorical strategies to argue the urgency for changing current segregation laws. Kings selective use of imagery, parallel structure, and metaphors helps bring out the emotions of the eight clergymen, making them feel sympathy and understand Martin Luther King Jr.s point of view.

He refers to the principles voiced by the nation's founders in his appeal for racial equality. This strategy was especially important in light of the fact that the government was concerned that the Civil Rights movement might discredit the United States abroad. The government was worried that if they gave African-Americans freedom, the United States would be seen as weak and have been persecuting innocent people. Hence, it was perceptive of King to imply in the speech that he is not undermining the United States, but asking the country to do justice to the principles that were asserted to be the backbone of U.S. politics and society. King states, for example, that his dream was "deeply rooted in the American dream," (King 2) and that he dreams of a day when Americans "will be able to sing with new meaning `My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing'" (King 3). King then uses the words of that song to distinguish the different areas of the country where he hoped the United States would soon "let freedom ring" (King 3) for all its citizens. King alludes to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as being a "promissory note" (King 1) to all citizens, which those at the march were claiming as their inheritance. The speech gains power from King's stressing that he was asking the United States to live up to its principles and thus to fulfill the greatness of its pronounced creed.

“But more basically,I am in Birmingham because injustice is here.Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C.left their villages and carried their,”thus saint the lord” far beyond the boundaries of their home towns,and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world,so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town.like Paul,I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.”

Martin Luther King Jr uses repetition, concrete diction, and tone in his speech to distinguish between the ways someone acts, gets treated based on the colour of their skin and the ways that they feel. In his speech, King says “I have a dream” and “let freedom ring” a lot to show repetition. He also uses concrete detail when explaining how the blacks no longer want to be disrespected or be under their discriminating rules. King’s final way of expressing himself is through tone, he changes his tone when saying what him and his people want. The purpose of this speech is for people of all colours to understand that King tried to spread a message that he wanted a better community without racial discrimination and rights for black people.

In a letter by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights leader uses various rhetorical

Martin Luther King Jr. wrote numerous speeches in efforts to inspire the idea of non-violent protesting in hopes of eventually reaching racial equality. Under what conditions can a man with seemingly no connection to a local community step in and assume the mantle of leadership as a spokesman for a segment of that community’s population? In all of the speeches, one way or another, Dr. King used several different rhetorical devices in order to defend his own actions. In specific, two of his speeches, “I have a Dream” and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” Dr. King used the rhetorical devices of anaphora, allusion, and diction to relay his thoughts of what is right, and also as a way to build a common ground with his audience. Though the rhetorical devices are shared between the two speeches, there are also several differences. The main difference between the two speeches is that in “I have a Dream” Dr. King is vocalizing his own ideas for what could become of the United States of America. In “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” Dr. King is responding to the clergymen’s letter regarding his braking of the law. The rhetorical devices as well as the speeches are similar, while the audience is the factor that changes the premise.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most influential figure from the Civil Rights Movement and still is to do the young minds of today. He is considered the face of the Civil Rights Movement. From his rallies, to his protests, to his speeches; it was obvious of how much of a great mind MLK had. He produced many popular and powerful piece of writings all throughout this period, such as his “I Have a Dream” speech, but his most famous piece of writing is Letter from Birmingham Jail. This letter was written on April 16, 1963 after King was arrested for leading a demonstration that was designed to bring attention to the cruel racist treatment of blacks in Birmingham, Alabama. Within in this letter it’s clear that Dr. King used his extensive knowledge of ethos, pathos, and logos in order to influence the reader.

In a letter by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights leader uses various rhetorical

Martin Luther King uses a lot of repetition in his speech. They are scattered throughout but very close. One of the repetitions in his speech is “I have a dream.” He uses this phrase to show what he sees in the future of America. One of the phrases he uses with it is: “I have a dream that one day this nation will and live out the true

In Martian Luther King Jr’s speech I have a dream; King used his words skillfully and intellectually to target his audience’s emotions. His words lifted up the spirits and hopes of those who stood in support of him. Imagine how different an impact his speech would have had if he approached it with the emotional appeal of pity or sympathy. It’s not likely many people would have been moved if he pulled the poor pitiful us card. Instead, King went at it guns a blazing determined to let everyone there know that they were not down for the count and their voice mattered. When King used the words, “…America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.” The crowd erupted with cheers. This is what they wanted to hear. This was the message that needed to be given all over the United States.

It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream” (King 2). After these two lines, Dr. King continues to repeat “I have a dream”. In repeating this multiple times, Dr. King truly reveals his hope in the American race. His speech could have been filled with anger and hate, but his words were instead passionate and powerful. It was surely difficult to determine what quotes to utilize, because his whole speech was simply astounding.

To enhance the effectiveness of his iconic speech, King uses Repetition, imagery, and audience involvement alongside Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Moreover, a literary device in which words become used over and over to emphasize important points, King makes use of repetition. King uses this strategy when describing his desire, “I have a dream…” (King 71). Expanding upon his aspirations, King repeats the phrase eight more times.. The repetition of this phrase builds intensity, creates rhythm, and illustrates passion. Alternatively, visually descriptive language forms the literary device of imagery. King uses this strategy when explaining why blacks cannot stop fighting for their rights, “No, no we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied

After reading and reviewing the speech by Martin Luther King Jr., the visual argument, and the editorial by the New York Times, the speech written by Dr. King was the most persuasive. The purpose of the “Beyond Vietnam” speech was to speak about what was going on in Vietnam. Martin Luther King Jr. also addressed racial inequalities during the speech. Dr. King also wanted to speak for those who had no voice. He spoke for them because he understood how they felt and what they needed.

He used repetition again as he let the audience know that it was time to rid the nation of racial segregation. Martin Luther King Jr. repeated “We cannot be satisfied” while making the point that until the Negros were free, nothing would make them content. One of the most emphasized parts of his speech was when Martin Luther King Jr. declared, “I have a dream” (King, 1963, para 13-20). He concluded his repetition by saying that with their faith, the Negros would one day be free (King, 1963, para 21).

This is shown through Kings connections to history and the events that were taking place at that time. In this speech it gives emphasis of the injustice ment of the black nation. In the speech “ I Have a Dream” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. informs our nation that for hundreds of years the blacks have been injustices. During this speech it uses many rhetorical devices compelling many people.