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How Did King Use Ethos Pathos And Logos In The Gettysburg Address

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On August 28th, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King held one of the most powerful and influential speeches in human history. The speech was held in front of more than 200 000 people and concerned the injustices of discrimination of African Americans which was taking place in the United States at the time. In his first statement he says: “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.” With this introduction Mr. King firmly states what the essence of his speech will be. It is one among the few which demonstrate the freedom the American nation was once built upon. The ideas and demonstrations which Dr. Martin Luther King exposes would provoke a deep change …show more content…

He masterly uses ethos, pathos and logos in his rhetoric to supply proof to all Americans that racism and segregation are not included in the foundation of this country. “Five score years ago”, which is the opening phrase of Dr. King’s speech serves as an allusion to Lincoln’s “Four score and seven years ago” in “The Gettysburg Address”. That is because it is in fact in “The Gettysburg Address” that Lincoln spoke of all men being created equal. By citing Abraham Lincoln (“…a great American in whose symbolic shadow we stand today”) King brings authority into his speech as Lincoln was a powerful and great president who empowered the American people throughout the civil war. The Emancipation Proclamation signed by the same great American serves as a fundament for the freedom of all colored citizens of the United States. That is why Mr. King intentionally refers to the significance of this document. He also references the Declaration of Independence to evoke authority into his speech. King also quotes the “unalienable rights” for “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. He is stating that the American government has neglected

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