Rhetorical Analysis Of I Have A Dream Speech

This speech, written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. titled, “I Have a Dream,” was addressed to an audience of hundreds of thousands of people at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, in Washington D.C. It was intended to motivate his audience to believe in his cause of unity amongst all of mankind. His speech teaches that people all around the world are created equal. Martin Luther King Jr. uses various literary features throughout his speech in order to establish the unification of people of any background or skin color, and to encourage his audience to accomplish this goal.

Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech titled “I Have a Dream” on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. In this speech, Dr. King is trying to persuade all races specifically Blacks and Whites to take action in order to gain freedom and harmony in the community. He tries to do this by using different techniques to appeal to his audience. It is shown that he uses pathos or emotional appeal throughout his speech. Also there are clear signs of logical appeal which is called logos. In addition, to logos and pathos, Dr. King uses ethical appeal to strengthen his argument. One of the key main techniques that Dr. King uses is figurative language which gives his speech more emphasis on why action is needed.

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.

The speaker of this essay that I will be writing about is Martin Luther King Jr. He was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia at his family house. He was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great American, worked for civil rights in the United States in the 1950s and 60s. He became so popular and well liked that he was hated just as intensely by those who disagreed with the equal rights movement. King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech. He followed what he believed in, doing the right thing fighting for the civil rights, and even though terrorists started

John F. Kennedy’s speech was proving to the nation, and world, that with him, nothing could bring America down. “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty” (Kennedy 511). Martin Luther King delivered a much more emotional speech which showed he was extremely genuine about his cause. In “I Have a Dream”, Martin uses his beliefs and past experiences to join the people together. Martin lived in a time where all Americans were promised “the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (King 371), but the white men still segregated the black men.

Martin Luther King Jr is an African American civil rights activist during the 1960s. I decided to do my analysis on his speech "I Have a Dream" because this speech is very important in American history. The speech has a simple context. "I Have a Dream" speech was given during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. Dr. King's main purpose was to make a change in white and black citizens during the Civil Rights era. He wanted to end racism in the United States and wanted everyone to accept the change in a non-violent way. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold those truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” (Jr).

Two scores and thirteen years ago, a wise American, wrote a speech, "I Have a Dream". Those of you that were in attendance, on this amazing day; standing at the feet of a great man, with similar goals; of freedom, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; thank you. Your presence allowed his speech to reach heights, never imagine. As he stated in the "I Have a Dream" speech, it has become a "beacon light of hope" to millions of American's, not just Negros. Seven scores and thirteen years ago, Gettysburg, Virginia was addressed by, one of our leaders.

Martin Luther King Jr. : I Have a Dream Speech Martin Luther King Jr. was a very influential civil rights activist. He delivered a speech that will forever change the history of America. This document is important because it shows how African Americans deserve the same rights as everyone else.

Can you imagine living in a country where not everyone shared the same equal rights? Lucky for us today we don’t have to worry about that because of people like Martin Luther King Jr. King was a “civil-rights activist” (biography.com). He was known as one of the most influential leaders of the African American people and for the effect he had on “race relations in the United States” (biography.com). A big impact King had was with his “I Have a Dream” speech where he imagined a world where people were no longer separated by race. In Martin Luther King’s speech he was able to delivery a successful speech by the use of historical references, appealing to the audience’s emotions, and the repetition of his speech.

As can be observed in Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech, he starts off his introduction slowly and mentions historical documents, such as, the Emancipation Proclamation, an important historical figure, which was Abraham Lincoln (King gives his speech in front of the Lincoln memorial), and historical events, such as, segregation. He uses repetition to emphasize his point that the Negro, after such a long time still have no freedom/equality when he continuously says “ One hundred years later”. In the 4th paragraph, he also quotes the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, to emphasize the point that all men should have their rights. He mentions police brutality as evidence of how African Americans were treated, as well.

In Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech he touches on and brings into focus certain social justice issues. He talks about segregation, poverty among prosperity, police brutalities, and the right to vote. He asks his audience to work on certain commitments. Some of which include getting rid of segregation, non- violent protests, practicing no hate, and spreading hope for change where people feel there is none.

On August 28, 1963, the civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. He delivered his speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where he called for an end to racism in the United States, and civil and economic rights for all. He presented his speech to over 250,000 people on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., and he delivered a defining moment of the Civil Rights Movement.

To dream is to envision a more purposeful future, to conceive an image of a better home, life or world. For many, it is far beyond what the mind can comprehend. Like for example, when a mother is pregnant, for 9 months she dreams of this perfect human being growing inside of her. The vision becomes a reality for the parents when their newborn arrives, something that they could have never prepared themselves for. On August 28, 1963, African American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., took the stage in Washington, D.C. in front of lawmakers, policy makers, both white and black people, narrated a talk of a dream in hopes to inspire discussion, demanded the audience to accept culture change and provided a calling

Cruelty, inequality, death, sorrow, misery. All words to be associated with the hardships Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. passionately describes in his I Have A Dream speech. King, an activist and civil rights leader gave an empowering speech on August 28, 1963 in Washington D.C. Millions of hearts were touched and inspired to fight for their rights(“American Rhetoric: Martin Luther King Jr.”). This speech is aimed towards every race in a different specific way. Every race plays a role in this revolution. Blacks: to be encouraged to stand up for fellow black people as a community. Whites: to be informed of the unnecessary inhumane treatment towards black people. Even the government: to also be

Martin Luther King was a brave man, his heart beat for freedom for all, regardless of the color of your skin. He created the speech “I Had a Dream...” which changed the very views of our nation. During his time discrimination based on the color of your skin was still a significant problem, which left many of the black community with their rights in jeopardy. King's speech remains an important part of our history because of it's eye opening and persuasive language. The emotional impact causes the reader to immediately have an response. Dr. King uses his strong use of heartfelt language in order to appeal to the masses. His controversial topic is brought to life in a way that causes individuals to stand for a cause whether it applied to them or not. He appeals to the audiences sense of compassion for the lives of others. King uses the words, “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