Rhetorical Analysis of the "I have a dream" speech

1644 Words7 Pages
“I Have a Dream” Speech: Rhetorical Perfection On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. gave one of the most famous speeches of all time titled “I Have a Dream”. This speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. in front of a crowd of thousands, addressed the severe racial injustices against the African-American citizens at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Martin Luther King, Jr. did an outstanding job to convey his message of social justice and equality with an untold eloquence and articulacy. Many people today believe it is the best speech ever given, for anyone who listens to him cannot help but to find themselves moved by the dramatic fashion and incredible demeanor with which King delivers his speech. King is successful in connecting with the American people and persuading them to join in the fight against inequality and racial discrimination. “I Have a Dream” was such a persuasive speech because it was extremely effective in using rhetorical methods. Almost every rhetorical method is utilized in King’s famous speech, including pathos, ethos, and logos. King also implemented other rhetorical methods of persuasion such as stylistic appeal, because of the specific placing and selection of language in his speech. “I Have a Dream” also used the elements of argument such as claims, support, and warrants, in order to be persuasive. Martin Luther King, Jr. successfully used many rhetorical methods in his “I Have a Dream” speech to promote equality and social justice in the United States during the Civil Rights movement. The rhetorical situation that called for the “I Have a Dream” speech was the discrimination of African-American’s in the United States dating back hundreds of years. Many injustices were committed against black people all around the country, especially in the South with the “Jim Crowe” system
Open Document