Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Speech

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He is an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and a leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He influenced the whole of world in just a few minutes in a true sense and he managed to sway not only African Americans but also people from other nations into the right direction of true justice. It was the courageous, high spirited, self assured, and decisive, Martin Luther King Jr. I personally witnessed the scene where King conveyed his message through an interminable yet effective speech which lasted for about seventeen minutes. King effectively communicated his speech on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Washington, D.C., Lincoln Memorial during the march on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It would be easy to …show more content…

King used different components of english language to intensify the importance of his speech. He used many rhetorical devices, metaphors and allusions to bring out the emotions of the audience. He showed unshakeable confidence; his body language was serene and disciplined when giving his speech. It takes a commanding voice for a leader to persuade and inspire the listeners and King’s roaring voice certainly did the part. King spoke like a true preacher by raising his hand and sharing his thoughts and opinions. King used powerful and expressive language in order to magnetize sentimental affinity to his listeners, such as: “This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.” “We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities.” “Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.” King repeatedly used the line “ I have a dream” towards the end of the speech to trigger the emotions of his audience and give them hope. He spoke this line with an extreme emphasis as it encourages his audience to change “today” instead of being contradistinguished against. King gives them hope that they would one day considered as equals

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