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Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech By Dr. Martin Luther King

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“I Have a Dream;” one of the most famous speeches in American history that was given by an ordinary man with an extraordinary dream. This well-known speech was given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement. It was delivered on the steps on the Lincoln memorial in Washington D.C., and thousands were in attendance to see the monumental speech. At this time in history the United States of America was a nation in turmoil, divided over the issue of civil rights. And on this day Dr. King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial preparing to look out over the vast sea of people and speak from his heart. King does not use any fancy manipulative talk of politics, nor does he use or condoning violence and protests. He just uses the power of persuasion and peace to show America that African Americans deserve the same rights as whites. Dr. King uses …show more content…

King uses pathos to get through to the crowd and to show them that beneath the surface segregation is more damaging than they ever imagined, and really drives this point across to the audience when he says, “We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs saying For Whites Only.” (Pg. 49-50, lines 76-78) Euchner interviews many people who were in the audience for King’s speech, and one such man- Harold Brogg- recounts the experience with undeniable accuracy. Euchner states at one point that, “That brief phrase…strikes Harold Brogg ‘like and electric shock.’” (pg. 61, lines 228-229.) Many of those watching the speech can understand where Harold Brogg is coming from, which shows King’s artful use of pathos. His emotional and strikingly personal statement is relatable by all, evoking sympathy and outrage all while revealing the ugly truth behind

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