Rhetorical Comparative Analysis Of Malcolm X's The Ballot Or The Bullet

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A Rhetorical Comparative Analysis of Malcolm X’s “Black Man’s History” and “The Ballot or The Bullet”
One of the most important civil rights activists in American history was Malcolm X. He was an ardent supporter of Black emancipation, and a civil rights fighter; his words still serve as an example to people today. His most well-known speeches, “Black Man's History” and “The Ballot or the Bullet,” were given at a time when social and political upheaval was particularly severe in the country. These speeches offer a compelling look at Malcolm X's rhetorical techniques and the way he employed language to spread his message of Black empowerment. In this analysis, Malcolm X's use of ethos, pathos, logos, figurative language, repetition, and historical references are highlighted along with other rhetorical techniques. By looking at these components, we can see how Malcolm X expertly designed his words to connect with his audience and spur positive change. The rhetorical …show more content…

Malcolm delivered this iconic speech in April 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio, to a black audience. The text argues that if black people can unite and become politically mature, they would “determine who's going to sit in the White House and who's going to be in the doghouse.” If that fails, violence will be inevitable. Malcolm employs repetition, contrast, metaphors, similes, and other rhetorical devices to elicit action from his audience. These tactics and Malcolm's intense tone combine to generate a sense of immense importance and urgency in Black society. I love Malcolm's strategies throughout the speech, his blunt words that cut right through the audience, sarcasm, and rhetorical devices made this speech stand out to

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