Rhetorical Analysis Of I Have A Dream Speech

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became a civil rights activist shortly after attaining his doctorate in theology from Boston University. He later went on to deliver one of the finest speeches in United States history on August 28, 1963 entitled “I Have a Dream.” Over 200,000 people arrived to hear King deliver this speech. King uses a number of rhetorical devices to accentuate his point such as metaphors, antitheses, as well as anaphora’s. In addressing the nation Dr. Martin Luther King Jr effectively uses the appeals of Ethos, Pathos and Logos to convince the audience to take action in demanding racial justice for African-Americans; He envisioned a nation uniting as one to defend the rights of every ethnicity under the constitution.

King’s speech is filled with repeating key phrases that emphasize the argument he is trying to make. Some examples are “One hundred years ago…, Now is the time…, We can never be satisfied... , We must…, Let freedom ring…, and I have a dream…” These are just a couple of statements that are repeated

On August 28, 1963, American Baptist and renowned activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., gave a memorable speech in Washington, D.C., “I Have a Dream,” about the importance of equality amongst all people and ending segregation. He gave his speech on the hundred year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation that had freed slaves. King’s striking tone catches the attention of the white supremacist and also conveys how important unity is in order for a community to be successful. To achieve this goal, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uses techniques such as repetition, pathos, and the use of metaphors.

On August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a 17-minute public speech to over 200,000 supporters of the Civil Rights Movement. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was a response to continued racial bias nearly 100 years after the end of slavery and a call to action, meant to unify the country in the fight to end segregation. King used his time at the historic event to urge Americans, of all races, to work together throughout the country to ensure equality for all citizens. Though King’s delivery of the speech is widely recognized as impactful because of his passionate sermon-like delivery, the context of the speech contains many rhetorical components. Those rhetorical efforts

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.

In Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, King makes use of an innumerable amount of rhetorical devices that augment the overall understanding and flow of the speech. King makes the audience feel an immense amount of emotion due to the outstanding use of pathos in his speech. King also generates a vast use of rhetorical devices including allusion, anaphora, and antithesis. The way that King conducted his speech adds to the comprehension and gives the effect that he wants to rise above the injustices of racism and segregation that so many people are subjected to on a daily basis.

The day of August 28, 1963 At the Lincoln Memorial 200,000 people gathered after the March on Washington. This is where Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his speech “I Have a Dream” to America. He spoke about the injustices of segregation and discrimination of African Americans that was taking place in our nation. In his first statement he said, “I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.” In this statement he has said what he was there to do. He is speaking out for freedom. This speech is one among few to demonstrate the freedom our nation was built upon. We are a nation of democracy and our nation was built on the fact that we have the right to “alter and institute new government” (Congress). Dr. Martin Luther King’s speeches and demonstrations would provoke a change in the minds and hearts of the American people. He stood up and inspired a nation into action with his words. With his speech he masterfully uses Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in his rhetoric to provide proof to all Americans that racism and segregation is not the intended foundation of America.

The speech “I Have A Dream” was voiced by activist Martin Luther King Junior on the Lincoln Memorial during an era in which blacks suffered prejudice in America, a place in which whites could enjoy the land’s opportunities and freedoms but blacks could not. Martin Luther King’s speech was intended to express his present and future aspirations towards the upheaval concerning the inequality and racial injustice that the nation was experiencing however, lacking understanding thereof. Through the use of anaphoras, powerful imagery, and literary devices Martin Luther King Jr. successfully engaged his audience and portrayed a significant, historic message to his audience: racial equality and justice is overdue.

During the 20th century, racism became a major issue in the United States which most attacks and accusations were against African Americans. Under the law, everyone is supposed to be free, but because of the corrupt law system African Americans were victimized and treated horrendously. Retaliating against the unfair and inhumane treatment they relentlessly tried to change the system and the rights of their people. In addition to this, many civil rights activists and groups formed and fought against the system. The most evident activist of this time period is Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, engaging in many boycotts and protests he was determined to make a difference. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the midst of the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom”, he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963. The speech illustrated the racial problems and provoked the audience to feel sympathy and compassion while also providing the hope the African American population needed. Spreading through the states like wildfire, the speech made Dr.King the topic of discussion throughout the states which made the people opposing him see him as a complete threat.

Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the struggle African Americans suffer living in a nation where they are a part of, but are heavily rejected by the masses. At the time of the speech, the United States was going through a rough time period of increasing racism and discrimination. He gave his speech during the March on Washington event led by Dr. King himself, in order to awaken the people about the injustice of racial inequality. The tone King present throughout the speech is determination and optimism for the future. In the “I Have a Dream” speech delivered on August 28, 1963 to the nation, Martin Luther King Jr. discusses the problems that are separating the people in the United States, attempts to inspire the country to come together as one; he then uses rhetorical devices which evoke emotion along with encouragement to ultimately end the dissatisfactions of racism and discrimination.

Leading and Moving a Society Through Words Words are perhaps one of the most influential tools a person can possess. It can stir a range of emotion, instill motivation, and give life to a push for change. With most great leaders in society, the ability to effectively use language, is one of the sole tools they can possesses and make them great influencers. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., is one of these great leaders. Through his exceptional knowledge and effective usage of rhetoric skills, he was able to create real change in the Civil Rights movement.

When Martin Luther King Jr spoke in front of a large crowd of civil rights activists in August of 1963, he portrayed an urgent message of equality for all. For years before, King engaged in many different civil rights movements in order to further freedom of all Black people. His main goal of this speech was to emphasize the points of African American freedom and how they should be equal to whites. Throughout the speech, he uses many different rhetorical devices to make a mark on the African American men and women in his audience along with the entire country. His speech had a major impact on those in the crowd, and led them to join his movement. King structured his speech to appeal to the African American population in his audience, supporting his statements with the three rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos and logos. Along with rhetoric, he expresses a few motifs through his speech to persuade his audience. These appeals and motifs are reinforced with different rhetorical devices to make King’s “I have dream” speech a great use of rhetoric.

Martin Luther King Jr was a leading Civil Rights activist whose actions and “I Have a Dream” speech contributed immensely to the Civil Rights Movement. His famous speech called for the end of racism and to give equal rights for everybody, no matter what color. It became one of the greatest and influential speeches ever to be delivered as it contained all the aspects that formed its success. Hence, it became historically significant and played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement. “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr claimed its success and effectiveness based on diction, knowledge of rhetorical devices and expression of tone.

Civil rights leader and reverend Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech on the 28th of August in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. King gives this speech in the midst of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where about 250,000 African Americans and white civil rights activists marched, making it the largest demonstration ever seen in the nation's capital, and one of the first to have extensive television coverage (“Civil Rights March on Washington”). In order to fight for civil and economic rights and guide his fellow activists in their actions, King utilizes an extended metaphor, many anaphoras, and analogies as aids along with his confident but urgent tone.

Martin Luther King stood on that stage with confidence and determination to make a change in the United States of America and it was shown through this rhetorical masterpiece titled “I Have a Dream”. The first line of the speech makes the audience aware of not only how serious he is, but also