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Rhetorical Analysis Of Dr. Martin Luther King's Speech

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Ph.D. and black rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his speech, I Have a Dream, expounded his views on social justice for African-Americans. The famous speech was held in 1963 during The March on Washington. King’s purpose was to display his belief that African-Americans deserved yet lacked equality, unlike other Americans. He confidently executed his message with a passionate tone to influence his audience of fellow activists, common citizens, and dignitaries to fight for racial equality and to end segregation. King commenced his speech by reminding the audience of the historical event that occurred 100 years ago to establish the purpose of his demonstration. He stated that “Five score years ago a great American in whose symbolic shadow we stand today signed the Emancipation Proclamation,” in an allusion to President Lincoln signing the document which freed slaves. He expands by arguing that that, “100 years later, the Negro is still not free.” King refers to this event in order to display his knowledge about the issue. By doing so, he appeals to the audience's ethos by ensuring credibility in his speech. …show more content…

He implements this belief with analogies by saying that “America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.” King compared the lack of social justice to corrupt capitalism in order to better visualize the crisis. Despite the Constitution promising all men the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, King argues America excluded blacks from this inheritance. This vivid and bold statement awakens the audience and creates a memorable symbolism of the current

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