When informing Americans across the nation of his dream, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. proposed an unforgettable speech that would one day change The United States of America forever. In analyzing “I Have a Dream”, there are a few rhetorical purposes that are reflected throughout. These purposes are repeatedly focusing in on a particular audience in which King speaks to. Using different types of appeals and literary elements, his speech produced a meaningful purpose that the audience could relate to. The issue of racism in the mid twentieth century played a huge role in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Throughout the 1960’s he gradually became a civil rights activist, participating in multiple boycotts and riots against …show more content…
Throughout the seventeen minutes of the speech, both blacks and whites of all generations were influenced by one man’s words. This purpose of the speech is one of the most vital in analyzing it as a whole because the informative and influential aspects are what directly spoke to the audience. With the people of The United States of America categorized as the audience, King speaks to people of all races and ethnicity. This discriminated audience included the grasping appeals to the ethos, pathos, and logos. As each appeal is fully informed of the rhetorical purpose, King finds a way to encourage all three. Through several metaphors and types of imagery, he makes the decision to speak to all of the appeals in order to accomplish to need for change. Clearly aimed directly at the hearts of blacks and making the whites feel ashamed of their actions brought together a turn in society as they knew it. This specific structure geared towards the audience was the main reason why King impacted Americans across the country and not just at the march. These different appeals mixed within the audience to help King influence his purpose of racial equality as each type of person could relate to his moving words. Through the emotional engagement King had with the audience, he was most definitely able to gain a substantial amount of credibility. Consistently relating back to the phrase “one hundred years later”, he directly
There has been many influential figures in American History that have provided the American people with promising messages of hope and equality for all people. One of the most influential figures of the twenty century was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This time period was marked by the Civil Rights Movement, which was a movement that prompted a group of individuals to fight for the equality of African Americans. This is because “African Americans were granted better economic
In the year of 1963, when racial discrimination was evident in the community, Dr. King delivered two of his most noted works called the “I have a Dream” speech and “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to the public. These two pieces, quickly following each other in succession, were literary works of Dr. King devoted to the cause of racial equality and used eclectic devices and appeals to achieve that goal. King’s purpose bolstered in his “Letter” and “Dream” speech by key rhetorical devices are supported by audience oriented diction and appeals.
Late in the summer of 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of the most controversial speeches in American history. His goal was to make all men and women both civilly and economically equal with nonviolent protests, courtly worded speeches, and pacifistic marches. Since his time African Americans have been granted more freedoms, but they have not yet reached equality of the white man. A comparison of his America and America today would reveal that his dream has yet become a reality, and the bad check of yesterday has yet to be refunded. Dr. King butters up his speech with an astonishing metaphorical language, a phraseology that can be interpreted in two different ways, and a call to come together.
Civil rights activist, Matin Luther King Jr., in his “I Have a Dream” speech, addresses the inequalities that were prevalent in America in the 1960s. King’s purpose is to demand societal change, so that all people are equal without separation based on race. He adopts a powerful tone in order to inspire the African Americans to nonviolently protest the inequalities present in their communities.
“We’re one, but we’re not the same.” (Bono). A man in the 1950’s lived by this quote. The name of this man was Martin Luther King Jr. The time in which Dr. King lived in, was a time when things were tough for people like him. Using the same bathroom as a white person had not been allowed. Restrooms only allowed one type of person, either white or black. If a white person wanted your seat on a bus, you would have to give it to that person. There are many more laws that were against black people, at least that was until he changed it. Martin Luther King was non-violent, brave, and honorable leader. Protests and boycotts led by him had huge impacts. He even gave big speeches in front of thousands upon thousands of people. Dr. King was a great
Historic social activist, humanitarian, and Baptist minister, Martin Luther King Jr., prepared a speech, “I Have a Dream”, to advocate his beliefs on what was occurring during the Civil Rights Movement. King’s purpose is to change the beliefs of the American people who are part of the civil rights movement and to get them all on the same page of equality and freedom. He supported the civil rights movement and wanted to end the segregation of blacks and whites all throughout the nation. Martin Luther King Jr. adopts a determined tone throughout the speech to effectively show his passion on his beliefs. *Catherine add a thesis*
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech titled, "I Have a Dream" on August 28, 1963 in front of thousands of Americans with the purpose of attempting to motivate people to make a change. In this speech, Dr. King explains to his audience how acceptance and equality will make the Unites States a much better nation. Dr. King proves his points by utilizing imagery, diction, and figurative language; along with the primary strategies of pathos and ethos reasoning. Therefore, through his masterful uses of ethos, pathos, and writing styles; along with rhetorical questions, he is able to prove to America that segregation and racism were never supposed to be the intended foundations on which The United States of America were assembled.
After the speech was given, African American’s began to receive several different rights which they never had, but this did not change other’s perspectives. The use of repetition in the speech was effective as it showed people how much King wanted change and how he envisioned it, along with reminding people of the past. Restatement in his speech reminded the public of the beliefs of the founding fathers of this country and how we were not living how they wanted us to. Lastly, the use of rhetorical questions made the people think about the current society and how it could be changed simply by making everyone equal. The combination of these rhetorical devices allowed for King Jr. to make an extremely powerful and effective
Racism against African Americans became a major issue during the mid -20th century. Blacks became tired of the mistreatment they had to face every day, which is why multiple civil rights activists and groups were created in order to change the system. One of these activists, or should I say extremist, was known as the most noble after presenting his 17 minute speech “I Have a Dream,” given in 1963. He begins his speech painting a passionate picture of racial injustice. He talks about his dream that included the opportunity for whites and blacks to work in harmony, for the most racist states to become places of peace, and for his children to live in a nation of love and collaboration. He cannot wait for the day where his people can work, pray, and struggle together, where legitimate unity would be established. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech made a massive impact due to how he reflects the conditions of that time and how well he illustrates the brighter future that is soon to come.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I Have a Dream” inspires men and women, both black and white to take action against segregation. He gave motivational appeals about the past and promises that have never been fulfilled. He gives the people the question, “Why aren’t black people free from segregation?” The speech shows the unfair realities of black people and make people realize how unfair this is. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tells the audience of over 2,00 people the benefits of the end of segregation. He knows that his speech will be famous and hopes it will be heard across all 50 states. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. encourages people to “let freedom rain down from heaven and spread equality though the
Just over fifty years ago, a certain speech was made. This speech was nothing short of powerful and is often considered one of the most memorable speeches ever made in U.S. history. This powerful and exhilarating speech was given by a man who had the natural ability to give empowering speeches, and this speech impacted the history of The United States of America. It restored a feeling of hope for the African American population while also inspiring Americans throughout all of the United States. This speech was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to nearly a quarter of a million people.
On August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial 250,000 people gathered after the March on Washington. This is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the nation with his “I Have a Dream” speech. He was speaking out about the injustices of segregation, and discrimination of African Americans that was happening in America. This speech is one of the most famous in America’s history to demonstrate the freedom our nation was built upon. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches and demonstrations would provoke movement in the hearts of the American people. He persuaded and inspired a nation into action with his words. With this speech, he masterfully uses ethos, pathos, logos, inductive, and deductive reasoning to convince all Americans that racism
In the speech, Dr. King is calling Americans to put their differences in skin color, religion, and political views aside to become unified. "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 content of their character.” This line is one of the most powerful and most recognized line of the speech because of it’s ability to convey not only his hope for his children, but his hope for the nation. Dr. King describes the 100-year struggle of African Americans post slavery and describes the dangerous state that the nation is in. His main points include: the importance of hope despite continuous oppression, black people deserve liberation, and non-violent protests.
In his words there was a sign of hope that someday everybody would be seen as equal. His voice made people comprehend the reality of what was going on at that time. He not only touched black people but other ethnicities as well. The audience could instantly feel the sadness and grief in his words as he spoke. In just a few minutes, King swayed and influenced the hearts of many people about racial
In addition to an intentional occasion of deliverance, King knew his audience. The Movement was supported by young and old, black and white, male and female, and citizens across the nation and those people are exactly who he wrote for. He did not waste his breath persuading non-supporters to join the movement, but rather used his time to encourage and inspire the supporters. He uses terms like “we” and “us” to connect with his target audience. King knew his words would be well-received because he was well-respected by those who participated in the March as well as those who may have only heard the speech through the radio or seen it in print. He uses terms like “we” and “us” to connect with his target audience. In addition to the speech transcript, the tone of any speech is important because it is a vocalized text. King uses a projected voice, anyone would if they were speaking to more than 250,000 people. However, it is more than volume that creates an effective tone, he was inspirational and emphatic about each of his topics. His passion grows from the beginning to the end, leaving the audience feeling inspired and wanting more.