Throughout the course of world history, humans have constantly borrowed and edited past works of art, music, and many other topics to enhance the present. One of the more prominent subjects that has uprooted from the past is literature, specifically originating from the language of Latin. There is an abundant of different writing styles that have carried from the ancient poets and orators of Rome to the public speakers in the modern world. Cicero, a leading figure in Roman courts, has proven himself to be an extremely persuasive speaker from his wondrous orations. Comparably, Martin Luther King Jr. has given impressive speeches to persuade his idea of anti-discrimination through an image of a free country. Even though there is a major …show more content…
difference between time periods, one can clearly see that Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was significantly influenced from Cicero’s eminent “De Inventione” because of the similar persuasive devices, style, and rhetorical stages found in both. As previously mentioned, humans have the tendency to take what was already made and transform it so it is relevant to the present subject. An older example of this revolves around the famous character King Arthur of Camelot. Arthur and his knights are characters that have been shared and used by numerous writers in their stories. For instance, this righteous figure is seen in the 1485 Le Morte d'Arthur by William Caxton and the more contemporary novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain (King Arthur). This idea of an influential character or topic is also true in persuasive orations, whether it be ancient or present-day. Depending on the time period, the shared literature can be told and written in different languages; however, this does not prove to alter the style of the storytelling. Cicero’s orations and treatise were in the Latin language, while MLK’s speech was spoke in Modern English. Regarding this, one can justly conclude that it is possible for MLK to use similar qualities that Cicero did. They both were performed in the most persuasive style using their skillful abilities, such as rhetoric and optimism. One of the more distinguished features in Cicero’s work is his effective application of various rhetorical devices. “De Inventione” is the first of four essays he wrote and was about rhetoric itself. Within these treaties, Cicero went into detail on how to create the rhetoric. The valuable devices that are mentioned and used include anaphora, alliteration, metaphor, and amplification. Anaphora, or the repetition of a word or phrase, is clearly seen in chapter ten when Cicero writes, “At cum causa ex eo pendet quia non aut is agere videtur, quem oportet, aut non cum eo, quicum oportet, aut non apud quos, quo tempore” (Cicero). Repeating the latin words “aut” and “non” is similar to MLK’s famous restatement “I have a dream…” Even though there are many examples of rhetorical devices such as this, most originate from the Latin world. Thus, MLK relied on this persuasive way of giving speeches, which was borrowed from the qualities found in Cicero’s literature. Aside from the apparent literary tools found in both, another way to rhetorically influence an audience is to acquire a compelling style of writing. This can be defined as what words the writer chooses, how to say them, and how to arrange these words or sentences. In fact, Cicero states that some of the stages to be successful in persuasion is “dispositio, elocutio, [and] pronuntiato” (Cicero). The Latin translates to arrangement, style, and delivery. These three aspects are directly expressed in MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. For example, he arranges his oration so that he saves the list of freedom ringing for the end. Furthermore, his style of imagery when describing the Georgia hills and mountains is profoundly portrayed. The most tremendous characteristic that both Cicero and MLK possess is their powerful ability to deliver the speeches. One will never forget the televised uproar once they heard the proud exclamation, “Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” (King). As Cicero stated, MLK has proven to follow these influential guidelines in order to become prosperous in the act of orating. Cicero named the title “De Inventione” because this is what the most important aspect of rhetoric is in his opinion.
The Latin term “inventio” simply translates to invention. However, this invention is defined as the brainstorming of topics that will be used in future orations (Yonge). Most of these topics depend on the desires of the present audience and what is happening in history. In MLK’s case, the Civil Rights Movement sparked his invention of “I Have a Dream” and many other speeches. In addition, he had to appeal to his fellow activists and fight for what he was truly fighting for: freedom. With all of this in mind, MLK created and performed his speech with the benefit of Cicero’s past work by being an influence towards this great …show more content…
achievement. Martin Luther King Jr.
has a reputation to be one of the most important public speakers in the United States. He has been a citizen, a leader, a speaker, and will go down in history. Even though Cicero was a prominent orator and lawyer in the Roman society, he never influenced a country’s lifestyle. However, Cicero is also a part of human history as one of the ancient Latin writers who triggered the art of oration. “De Inventione,” a literary work of a genius, is credible for providing the necessary steps to bring about genuine rhetoric. This knowledge has been passed on and salvaged for modern society to educate themselves. MLK, for example, has shown all the aspects Cicero described in his treatise on persuasive speaking, including the use of rhetorical devices, eloquent style, and powerful
topics.
Since the beginning of mankind, humans always use their skills of persuasion in order to prove a point to an audience. John F. Kennedy and William Shakespeare, though it is a 362 year difference, wrote and announced work displaying persuasion values. John F. Kennedy, in his Inauguration Speech, and Antony, a character in the William Shakespeare play Julius Caesar, uses the tools of language and persuasion in order to deliver the audience their intended reasoning. In both of the speeches, some of the tools that make these speeches effective is the tone, the rhetorical devices, and persuasive appeals.
Lincoln's style in this speech was inevitably persuasive. His rhetorical strategy appeals to not only the readers senses, but to their intellectual knowledge as w...
After being jailed in the Birmingham city jail, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister who preached nonviolence, wrote this response to a published statement by eight fellow clergymen from Alabama. This letter was not only composed under somewhat constricting circumstances but was written in a way that can be analyzed to be considered as a classic argument. Not only does it contain the five elements needed in a rhetorical situation, but the letter includes the six parts of an argument, the five types of claims, and even the three types of proofs. Dr. King’s letter fully satisfies all requirements needed in order to be considered a classic argument.
which was written as a speech, has been used by many great thinkers such as
Martin Luther King Jr. uses the emotional appeal most often than any other appeal and using it to his advantage, he makes it extremely effective in persuading the reader. He uses emotional appeal in many ways throughout his “letter from Birmingham Jail.” In one of the ways, he uses strong words as one of the most effective ways to relate to the reader and make them feel connected to him. He mentions in his letter that “When you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters.” Words such as vicious lynch, drown, hate-filled, curse, kick, and kill are all strong words that persuade a negative picture in the readers mind. Such examples he uses to define the evil acts of segregation appeals to the reader as unjust and unfair. King uses most of his emotional appeals from midway through the letter and keeps using it until the end. King relates himself to the audience, the clergymen, and shows the similarities ...
In Coercion, Douglas Rushkoff explains how easily people are easily coerced. For example, Rushkoff states that people are convinced by car salesman to pay more for a car than they wanted to. In Julius Caesar, Marc Antony asks to speak at the funeral of his dear friend, Julius Caesar, after one of the murderers, Brutus, speaks. Brutus convinces the Romans that Caesar would be a tyrant if he did not murder him, while Antony convinces the Romans that Caesar is not ambitious and there would never be another ruler like Caesar. The art of public speaking is important in the past and present.
Speeches are a method of persuading people to do something. For Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, their speeches were to bring equality for the people of color. However, their approaches are different. Consequently, the effects may be different. An example of their contrasting differences is a speech from each, King’s “I Have a Dream” and X’s “The Black Revolution”. Their speeches used pathos, a central metaphor, and a warning, but was presented differently.
The mighty river flows through the mountains with liquidity and nurture providing life for all those who wish to take a sip from it. Yet the river is powerful in its own force destroying even the largest rocks, crumbling them into small pieces. People may be able to stop the river for a short time or even dry it up but the water always comes back in one form or another, every dam is bound to fail. Some people have been able to harness the power of the river, redirecting the mighty water making it flow in constructive ways. Similar to the river, language is influential. Its true power is not seen by the naked eye but by those who study it, those who use it as their ally in a war of linguistics. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter, Birmingham City Jail he is able to use all three rhetorical appeals to prove that demonstrations lead to negotiations and benefit for both sides of an argument.
Martin Luther King Jr., sparks emotion amongst the readers, through the use of pathos in attempt to create an emotional feel. His diction and vivid language makes this appeal successful. He writes on his scratch paper given to him in jail “I guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say "wait" (Longager & Walker, 2011, p. 270). The phrase “I guess” conveys the irony and absurdity of his claim. “Stinging darts” is also powerful, and truly makes the audience feel sorrow for those facing racial segregation. His strong diction is also depicted through anaphora. The repetition of phrases and words such as “when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mother,” “when you have seen hate filled policemen curse” and “see tears welling up in her eyes” provide the reader with a sense of sadness. By emphasizing “you,” he forces the reader to put themselves in the position that he is in, and experience it with him. Using anaphora creates a sense of memorability and urgency, all while remaining in the pathos category (Longager & Walker, 2011, p.256). Strategically used repetition not only forces the reader to focus on an idea, but also assists in conveying his intended message. The logos appeal is also in effect here. He utilizes the logos appeal to argue a non-violent protest is a wise decision. He details the daily life of an African American man, using words such as
“The pen is mightier than the sword” (Bulwer-Lytton 1839). Hence, iconic political figures have used language to force individuals to think and act on important issues that encompass society. Activists like Malcolm X and Helen Keller exemplify this power and perspective of language in the realms of approach and progress.
On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the Lincoln Memorial concerning the Civil Rights movement. His speech resonated throughout the nation as his passionate and commanding voice resounded over the fields that lay before the Lincoln Memorial. Many consider this speech the “epitome of modern Rhetoric.” In his speech, King utilizes the three disciplines of Rhetoric, ethos, pathos, and logos, with finesse and skill.
One of the most influential speeches ever given on the earth was given on a potiumat the Lincoln Momorial in Washington D.C on August 28th 1963. The great speech was given by Martin Luther King Jr. who deciatied his time on earth to prove that all people are equal. Martin Luther used different parts of the English language to enhance the meaning of his speech and bring out the details. The different rhetorical devices, allusions to historic documents, and metaphors seemed to have brought about the emotions that King was trying to arouse in his listeners. This helped him influence his listeners towards wanting equality for all and changing what was happening in the present so they didn't repeat things in the past .
Imagine living during the 1960’s when the nation was divided by segregation. The only way to express your ideas, beliefs, and thoughts during that time was through words. Famous Civil Rights activists such as, Dr.Martin Luther King Jr., inspired many with his wise words and empowering speeches. Times when many felt unheard or invisible, words were there as tranquilness and an ataraxia. Words have the power to provoke, calm, or inspire by motivating others to take action in what they believe in.
One day, in a building of concrete and bars, a pen met paper in hope that a change would be made. A letter was scribed; then placed in an envelope addressed to clergymen. Martin Luther King’s letter was written in 1963 from the Birmingham City Jail. He was in jail because he didn’t have a permit to parade—but he was doing more than parading. He was taking a stand for equality for the African-American community. Some clergymen of Birmingham accused King of unwise and untimely actions, but Martin Luther thought these men’s opinion might have been misled. King uses figurative language and conative word choice to influence his readers; so the clergymen would see the importance of the African-American community sharing equality with the white community and how they needed to act now.
On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of the most notable speeches in American history, at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. King started off his famous “I Have a Dream” speech by stating the impact it would have on America’s civil rights movement: “I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation” (King 1). With knowledge of rhetoric and persuasion, King had a substantial impact on the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr.’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos appeals enable King to persuade the audience to achieve equality.