Rhetorical Analysis On Leading And Moving A Society Through Words

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Leading and Moving a Society Through Words
Words are arguably one of the most powerful tools a person can possess. It can stir a range of emotion, instill motivation, and give life to a push for change. With most great leaders in society, this ability to effectively use language is one of the soul tools they have possessed, that have made them great leaders. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., is one of these great leaders. Through King’s exceptional usage of rhetoric skills, he was able to create real change in the Civil Rights movement. An impeccable example of King’s leadership can be seen in his “I Have a Dream” speech given at the March on Washington. In this speech King creates a powerful response by reaching out to people by first instilling trust, then developing an emotional response based on historical reference, and triggering a connection through biblical and vivid metaphors.
As a black male in the 1960’s developing credibility with a mixed or white audience would be incredibly …show more content…

Through this paraphrasing of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, he is able add to his credibility, which would be an incredibly essential tool to have in a leadership position. King likewise uses his intellect to enlighten as well as introduce to his audience a personal perspective. He then goes on to refer to a “great American in whose symbolic shadow” (King 1) they stand, this is a direct reference to Lincoln. The importance of Lincoln in the abolishment of slavery was incredibly important, and it would be important to include him in this to back up his main points. King utilizes the power of history in his speech often in the form of metaphorical reference. This usage of metaphor, is also intertwined with another very powerful tool,

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