Mlk Rhetorical Analysis Essay

385 Words2 Pages
MLK Rhetorical Analysis Essay After having to endure the terrible ordeal of segregation for countless years, African-Americans began to stand up for civil justice and started a movement in order to establish egalitarianism among all people, regardless of racial or social background. Among these courageous leaders was Baptist minister and activist Martin Luther King Jr., whose memorable and remarkable speech “I Have a Dream” heartened and inspired many Americans to peacefully rise against prejudice and instead increase compassion and equality for all. King successfully implemented his message in this speech through the literary and figurative devices of allusions, metaphors, and anaphora, therefore leaving a profound effect and impression on his audience. Through references of past events with allusions, King keeps the attention of his audience and allows them to establish a connection with the current topic discussed in his speech. Since he knew he was speaking to his followers in addition to radical opposition, King introduced a classic American statement used for the past hundreds of years when referencing the Declaration of Independence’s words of affirming that “all men are created equal”, regardless of origin or background of any sort. By referencing this prevailing statement from an influential document in American history, he ceased the majority of argument against his cause and established a sense of respect from all his spectators. This statement helped King achieve his purpose of motivating others to make a positive change against this injustice by using logical appeals by demonstrating his personal knowledge of the Declaration with all of his viewers. Because he also wanted to feel a personal relationship with his addressees, King included several biblical references such as when advising his listeners not to seek freedom by “drinking from the cup
Open Document