Rhetorical Analysis Of Dr. Martin Luther King's Speech At The Lincoln Memorial

697 Words2 Pages

On August 28th, 1963, Dr.Martin Luther King Jr would address the American public with his notorious speech, "I have a Dream". Since then those three words " I have a dream ", has became one of the most recognizable quotes or lines in American history, though there was a lot more to King's speech than him just having a dream. Going beyond King's dream, King's speech featured the articulate utilization of rhetorical devices and literary terms, these said devices and terms were used to help exhibit the ongoing racial civil issues of the middle/late 1900s. These devices and terms crafted King's speech articulately, to help King shine light on the lack of African American's rights and equality during this time, while also making King's speech what it is today, a very inspirational and touching speech. To combat these racial and civil issues of the time, ironically enough King …show more content…

He was thoughtfully conducting his speech with an abscess of ethological appeal, after all he was Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. King's demonstration of his speech of course took place at the Lincoln Memorial, where for that purpose King uses an allusion to Lincoln (who of course ended slavery in America) which helped King even advocate and relate more to the American public. King alludes to Lincoln in his quote "Five scores a year ago, a great American in whose symbolic statue we stand, signed the emancipation proclamation". Not only is this an allusion from King to Lincoln, but its also a use of symbolism as Lincoln is of course a symbol of civil rights and is rightfully credited with ending slavery, the inclusion of Lincoln even ties back to the whole ideal of patriotism being found and utilized in King's speech. Whether you believe the quote was more of an allusion or symbol, the quote has a common goal of unifying Americans and fighting for a fair way of life for African

Open Document