ipl-logo

Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

1804 Words8 Pages

“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.” (Martin Luther King) This was the penning statement of the speech learnt or well known by anyone studying or interested in literature or history. “I Have Dream” without a doubt is rightfully one of the bet delivered over time. While his opening statement spoke of making a historical day out of the demonstration, Martin Luther King was unaware that his delivery would be equally if not more historical than the event itself in the literature arena and even more, the field of rhetoric. Hundreds of students, experts, professionals and admirers in the rhetoric world have reviewed, examined, critiqued and or praised King’s delivery. Without a doubt, the message in the speech coupled with the style of delivery is one to be appreciated if not rewarded. As such, I Have a Dream has received different arguments all from different viewpoints (at times polarizing) from scholars to students and researchers. Delivered to over a quarter a million civil rights supporters, I Have a Dream had both local and global impacts giving that day significance for generations and generations to come.
Having known the gravity of this speech, its direct and indirect impact, the richness of rhetoric it entails, this paper seeks to give a bipartisan well thought analysis of the speech as well as my personal critique. Even before delving into this “masterpiece of

Show More
Related

  • Compare And Contrast Mlk Letter To Birmingham Jail

    513 Words  | 3 Pages

    Imagine you’re living back in 1963, it’s the year of change, for the better. There’s a man, Martin Luther King Jr., who is one of the most prominent figures in the Civil Rights movements. He has two famous works, First, the Letter from Birmingham Jail. from back in August; a powerful response King gave after reading the criticisms of the clergymen of Birmingham. Second, there is the “I Have a Dream” speech from The March on Washington.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Dream

    140 Words  | 1 Pages

    This paper examines the conditions of the Afro-Americans’ lives from 1960-today with focus on education, work, income, police brutality and criminality. It also describes the Jim Crow laws and the busboy cot from 1955. The paper also analyzes Martin Luther King’s speech I have a dream with the purpose of rhetorical devices and how well they have been used in the speech, and how Afro-Americans’ conditions have been at the time. At last the paper discusses and assesses how to what an extent King’s dream came true with self-elected sources as backrest for the asses. A lot of parts from Martin Luther King’s dream have come true, but it is still not all that is how King wanted it to be.

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

    1606 Words  | 7 Pages

    Whitney Murphy Ms. Knox English 1 Honors, Period 2 10 May 2023 Essay On King’s Words There were more than 200,000 people present when Martin Luther King Jr gave his I Have A Dream Speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail was first published in the national press on May 19, 1963, and rapidly spread throughout the country. Since then, King’s words have touched hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lives. One of the leaders of the civil rights movement, King both wrote and spoke about his beliefs, stirring the hearts of many in an already unrestful country.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr

    772 Words  | 4 Pages

    On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King jr. stood on the steps of the Lincon memorial and passionately gave his famous speech. This speech is credited with being a catalyst for the Civil Rights movement and calls for a change in the way African Americans were treated in the United States. In his ardent speech about racial injustice toward African Americans, Dr. Martin Luther King jr. captivates his audience through his use of rhetorical comparison, allusions, and ethos to call people to action against Racial discrimination against African Americans. As it was used throughout his speech king utilizes repetition to voice his thoughts for example, when King states that he still has hope for the American dream, he uses the phrase “i have a dream” multiple times emphenziseing that he still has hope.” I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed ‘ we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal’”(73-74).

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr

    225 Words  | 1 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr the civil rights activist is known for his superb speeches,the most known being the “I have a dream” speech, but his nobel prize acceptance speech is no exception. On October 14th 1964, Dr.king was awarded the Nobel prize for his work in the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s,which were a time of great racism and and segregation in America In his speech he uses great diction to convey a tone of determination. An example of this tone is shown when Dr.King says “...This same road has opened for all Americans a new era of progress and hope.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Speech

    433 Words  | 2 Pages

    On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy gave his remarks on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Robert’s goal was to inform people on Martin Luther King’s journey and to strengthen people’s attitudes on the whole situation. Robert’s main points throughout the speech were how the country as a whole should move forward, why the states should not resort to violence but unity instead, and he also addressed that the country needed unity, love, and compassion.

    Read More

  • I Have A Dream And Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

    920 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the two stories written by Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have A Dream”, and “Letter From Birmingham Jail” were two stories that truly impacted history. These two readings talk about one being about King Jr. tell his speech on the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., about him having a dream, where blacks and whites can unite. In both writings by King Jr., mostly in his “I Have A Dream” speech, King Jr. uses a lot of persuasive techniques, mostly pathos.

    Read More

  • The Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

    946 Words  | 4 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr., a minister and social activist, led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. He was an advocate for equality between all races and a civil and economic rights Activist. Because of his leadership, bravery and sacrifice to make the world a better place, Martin Luther King was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. His incredible public speaking skills and ability to properly get his message across can clearly be scene throughout the speech. Tone: Dr. King delivered his speech at the university of Oslo in Oslo Norway in front of a large group of people.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

    1848 Words  | 8 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. Luther was a charismatic leader who took a firm stand against the oppressive and racist regime of the United States (US), devoting much of his life towards uniting the segregated African-American community of the US. His efforts to consolidate and harmonise the US into one country for all is reflected in many of his writings and speeches spanning his career. As a leader of his people, King took the stand to take radical measures to overcome the false promises of the sovereign government that had been addressing the issues of racial segregation through unimplemented transparent laws that did nothing to change the grim realities of the society. Hence, King’s works always had the recurring theme of the unity and strength of combined willpower.

    Read More

  • I Have A Dream Speech Rhetorical Essay

    804 Words  | 4 Pages

    On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr gave us one of one of the most rhetorically moving speeches ever given. Titled as the “I Have a Dream Speech,” he read this speech to the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom”. As a civil right mover he gave this great speech to all Americans (black and white) so that he could give off the idea of equality on the same level. Because of his crowd of mix races King made sure to make his speech imploring to all no matter what the race that they may be. He uses metaphorical imagery, powerful diction,and symbolism to create an impact on the audience.

    Read More

  • John Lewis 'A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Book' March

    1458 Words  | 6 Pages

    There was not any room for patience, only for change. Another captivating speaker is reputable Martin Luther King whom enticed a mass public with influential persuasive language. The iconic “I Have a Dream Speech” delivered at the March on Washington—same march John Lewis presented his speech—utilized a somewhat different approach. King’s speech depicted the life that was yearned for by so many.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Dr. Martin Luther King's Final Speech

    756 Words  | 4 Pages

    On April 3, 1968 King delivered his final speech “I’ve been to the mountaintop,” in Memphis Tennessee to a massive crowd at the Bishop Charles Mason Temple Church of God. His speech was to bring awareness to the unsafe working condition and wages that the African American sanitation workers received. Prior to Reverend King’s speech on Feb. 12, 1968 roughly one thousand black Memphis sanitation workers went on strike and refused to work until their demands were met. Unfortunately, their request was denied and King, as well as Reverend James T. Lawson, traveled to Memphis to lead a nonviolent march but some of the participants started to become violent breaking windows of building and looting. This was a setback for the peaceful boycott due to rowdy few one person was shot and killed.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Elements Of Mlk's I Have A Dream Speech

    976 Words  | 4 Pages

    “I Have A Dream” “I Have A Dream”, a quote that many Americans hold dear to their hearts and a quote that is remembered and is associated with an unforgettable movement in history of the Untied States of America. From 1954-1968 one of the most memorable movements in history took place and will not be forgotten is the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the many greats remembered and recognized in the movement for being an influential leader of his time. Having given over 2000 speeches, MLK(Martin Luther King) has one particular speech that stands out from the many and it is his “I Have A Dream” speech. MLK’s message being about peace, unity, fairness and freedom for and to all people shines through in this speech.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King I Have A Dream Speech Thesis

    642 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1963, Martin Luther King delivered one of the most influential and impactful speeches in history. King's I Have a Dream speech was consistently powerful assertions of emotional appeals, repetition and paradox. In King’s speech, he utilizes pathos to build a relationship between his black and white audience. This is evident through his references to both  black and white children and the history of slavery which appealed to the audience members of the older generation.

    Read More

  • Figurative Language In Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have A Dream Speech

    1110 Words  | 5 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is one of the most well-known and critically acclaimed speeches of all time. Every child, every teenager, every adult has at some point in their lives heard King’s speech. They have heard the words “I have a dream” ring through the air. The success of King’s speech is not accidental by any means. King’s speech bears many of the hallmarks of a strong persuasive speech.

    Read More

More about Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

Open Document