Essay on Mlk rhetorical analysis

Submitted By sharmaavani
Words: 872
Pages: 4
Open Document
MLK Rhetorical Analysis In a time where racial equality was not heeded, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a moving speech, famously known as “I Have a Dream”. It was a statement against racial segregation, a plead for equality and an expression of hope for the future. It was an appeal to the American nation to illustrate the injustice done to his people. Dr. MLK’s uses of anaphoric phrases as well as an abundance of emotionally connoted words create strong pathos evoking a sense of pity, in addition to connecting to his audience by explaining his dream of equality being the driving force for a peaceful and happy nation.
Dr. King’s use of anaphora is the most apparent rhetorical strategy and is found throughout the speech. His repetition of words and phrases evoke pity and establish ethos as he connects his goals to the people of America’s goals. His primary establishment of connection is seen with his repetition of the word ‘we’ throughout the speech. Not only does it show the country’s people that they share the same goal, but in different places, it also shows the injustice done to his people as a whole which effectively appeals to the senses of the audience. The repeated use of the words ‘we refuse’ in the 4th paragraph show that by acting together, as one force, there will be a greater reaction to the pleads of the colored people of America. The use of ‘we’ in the first few paragraphs establishes the injustices done, and show the nation the horrors and troubles faced by them which effectively induces sympathy and pity to the listener and/or reader. His most famous phrase “I have a dream”, which is what this moving speech is known for, such as in the sentences “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up….” or “I have a dream deeply rooted in the American Dream….” help Americans realize that every American’s dream is the same, no matter what the race. He shows that without this equality the “blacks” are not getting the opportunity to live out this highly sought after “American Dream”.
In addition to using anaphora to create a sense of togetherness in his speech, Dr. King uses many emotionally connoted words and phrases to further aid his aim of evoking pity in the minds of the audience. As the mood of the speech changes, a clear change in word choice, and tone can be seen as well. At the beginning of the speech, he uses adjectives and phrases such as “momentous”, “great beacon of light”, and “joyous day break” to describe the reactions of the African Americans after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This creates a jubilant introduction to his speech, however the tone quickly shifts to one of disappointment. By using words such as “sadly”, “lonely”, “languished” and “shameful”, the mood becomes solemn and depressing, which is very effective in his establishing his purpose, to appeal to the racist audiences. As the speech progresses it has a determined, steadfast tone and uses words which are effectual in conveying his message that his words are not to be taken lightly and that him and his people will not stop until they get what they are fighting for. By using words of hope and faith towards the end, he
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Mlk rhetorical analysis

MLK Rhetorical Analysis

We often think the most when something has affected us emotionally. MLK was a great leader due to his actions. He didn’t fight back with physicality but with passion. He didn’t inform but rather he connected with others. Through all of this he led the movement that will revolutionize the course of our nation forever. Which is why Dr. King uses pathos more often than logos and uses them much better. The argument to this would be informing the white majority of the problems that the nation faced…

Words 566 - Pages 3

Rhetorical Analysis Of Mlk Speech

MLK uses amazing word choice, techniques, and mere eloquence to shed light on an extremely serious subject the treatment of African Americans in the United States at the time. MLK uses a mix of rhetorical appeals that include logic, facts, a connection with his audience and even portraying different feelings that he is able to invoke in his audience. It is important to note that his purpose is to encourage his audience, a mix of African Americans as well as white people to fight- peacefully- for…

Words 459 - Pages 2

Mlk Dichotomy Speech Rhetorical Analysis

a new era was to be delineated for all people. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired to make a difference, thus creating better future by bringing racial injustice to an end. He articulates the content to action, to take a step towards change, using rhetorical devices to sparks a flare of hope within his…

Words 931 - Pages 4

Rhetorical Analysis Of Remarks On The Assassination Of MLK

on the Assassination of MLK'' Robert F. Kennedy expresses the need for compassion and understanding among the citizens of America in response to the violent, racial hatred circulating across the nation and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. First and foremost, Kennedy establishes the sad news of Dr. King's death and goes on to convey "What kind of nation we are" and "What direction we want to move in" should be asked of ourselves and the audience. This rhetorical questioning impacts the…

Words 384 - Pages 2

Rhetorical Analysis Mlk Letter from Birmingham Jail Essay

Martin Luther King’s inspiration for writing his, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was mainly to appeal to an undeniable injustice that occurred during his time. His letter was in response tos eight white clergymen, who objected to King protesting in Birmingham. Dr. King effectively crafted his counterargument after analyzing the clergymen’s unjust proposals and then he was able to present his rebuttal. Dr. King effectively formed his counterargument by first directly addressing his audience, the clergymen…

Words 1283 - Pages 6

Martin Luther King's Mirror Violent And Nonviolent Dichotomy

The main claim of this article is that both Martin Luther King’s tactic and Malcolm X’s self-defective strategy mirror violent and nonviolent dichotomies and this can be explained through their different background. Bennett supports his argument by comparing King and X’s backgrounds separately. He finds out Malcolm X is from “ lumpenproletariat” and he educated himself in order to “make himself one of the most eloquent speakers and debaters of his time.”(72) In contrast, Martin Luther King went to…

Words 573 - Pages 3

Rhetorical Analysis Letter From Birmingham Jail

Letter from Birmingham Jail – MLK: Rhetorical Analysis During the 50’s and 60’s there were “separate but equal laws” and the “Jim Crow laws” that caused nothing but discrimination towards people of color. Since these laws separated, people of color but get the crappy left overs, from the white people and would get harassed through name calling and even beat up until almost killed. Tired of getting mistreated MLK along with other activist stepped up to make a change through nonviolence protesting…

Words 620 - Pages 3

Essay on Letter from Birmingham

Letter from Birmingham Rhetorical Analysis In the Letter from Birmingham Jail Martin Luther King, wrote his letter to get a Sympathetic Emotional Response from the White Religious Christians and also white Families who claimed to have Moral Values, so they may see how their injustice ways was not moral and did not appeal to the bible and to god whom created all people equally. King used God and biblical stories in the bible to persuade Christian families to eliminate the existence of segregation…

Words 619 - Pages 3

MLK Jr Essay

Talore Bostic Mr.Abrruscato Period 4 4 November 2014 MLK Jr. Rhetorical Analysis In the letter Letter From Birmingham , Martin Luther King Jr. is responding to the clergymen who wrote to him about demonstrations he has been taking, calling them “extreme”. While Martin lays out a well developed argument in his stance, he goes back to consider the accusations made that his non­violent protest movement is extreme. In the concluding paragraphs of this letter, Martin Luther King Jr. wisely reputes all accusations made by…

Words 552 - Pages 3

Rhetoric and Peer Review Writer Essay

sure the in text citation is correct” or “the dictionary definition doesn’t seem to match the meaning in the cited quotation” etc. (Don’t show your answers to the writer until step 5) Did the writer: 1. Introduce each of the elements of the rhetorical situation asked for: kairos, exigence, audience. ___________________________________________________________ 2. Analyze in detail at least two of the elements? Which ones? ___________________________________________________________ 3…

Words 1281 - Pages 6