Jesus Flores

10/17/16
English 110
William Barnes

Rhetorical analysis MLK speech

On August 28, 1963. 250,00 people attended the march on Washington for jobs and freedom on
the Lincoln memorial in Washington D.C. It was one of the biggest demonstrations the nations
capital has ever seen. Dr. King was extremely involved in trying to end racial discrimination. It
was a speech that would change the perspective of people all around the world furthermore
changing America.
When Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech on the steps of the Lincoln memorial The
confidence in his voice while he spoke states a credible source. Starting of the speech by using
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the
Emancipation Proclamation. He used reference to Abraham Lincolns without fully saying that
his audience was influenced by Abraham Lincolns speech and implies that he wants to do the
same for the people during his era. Lincolns was a great president to the United States and gave
one of the most influential speeches in a time of great need. He gained the trust of his fellow
citizens and gave a new sense of freedom. Martin Luther also shows that he is credible by
quoting parts of Lincolns speech such as unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness. Martin Luther is strategically placing himself in the citizens shoes to portray that
the government has not done their part and is deferring from what was promised on the
Declaration of the United States.
Dr. King uses the repetition of words in the beginning of an ending statement to put emphasis on
a point. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from
the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to

Jesus Flores
10/17/16
English 110
William Barnes

lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is
the time to make justice a reality for all of Gods children.

Dr. King methodically guides the people to go along his ideology and makes them sympathize
with the Negroes, hate racism, and be filled with a hope for a brighter future/ outcome. He
emotionally triggers emotionality from both white and black citizens by referring to something
they are both in pursuit of as stated by this quote And so even though we face the difficulties of
today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. He
uses this to appeal to the entire audience by using the American Dream. Dr. King also uses
biblical references to also establish an emotional connection with the audience And the glory of
the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. Promoting the concept of being
united and having faith for what they believe in. He also is appealing to the audience by referring
himself as a parent and states that he wants a better future for his children. I have a dream that
my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of
their skin but the content of their character. This is very strong in my opinion because these are
references to everyone is the audience and if they want this life for their children or something
better.
Dr. King also implies the technique of allusion by stating I have a dream that one day every
valley shall be exalted Although this gives the allusion referenced to the bible, it is a strong
indication of allusion in which he wants the people to see his message of being equal and have
the same freedom and inequality that they deserve. He references Lincoln in the beginning also
give an illusion of Lincoln without blatantly acknowledging Lincoln rather he does it in a

Jesus Flores
10/17/16
English 110
William Barnes

secretive way. He also refers to the word check many times in the speech which gives the
allusion of paper materials that not everyone is equal to, and how there is inequality to which
they must fix because it was promised in the Declaration of Independence.
Dr. King says, It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, in so far
as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has
given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.
Dr. King says this because most people can relate to this. Although it is a saddening issue,
Money is a predominant factor in life because money equals power. He also refers to segregation
and discrimination of a person due to the color of their skin. We cannot walk alone. And as we
walk we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There
are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, 'When will you be satisfied?' We can never
be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. He
states that nothing will get better until segregation and racism is eliminated
Dr. King uses repetition of a word to gain momentum in his speech. This is done by using the
phrases, One hundred years later, the Negro and now is the time I have a dream we
must. These words are impact the audience greatly and give a sense of energy that cannot be
described. He also uses phrases that are used to inspire the audience and create a different
perspective of thinking such as "Seared in flames of withering injustice this denotes that they
are still slaves under different circumstances and injustice is still virtuous at that time.
Dr. Kings was influential in representing equal rights to all. His speech was geared to confront
the issues of social inequality and freedoms that were not given to certain American citizens at
this time. He was greatly influenced by Lincolns speech and respected him for what he believed

Jesus Flores
10/17/16
English 110
William Barnes

in. Dr. King speech was influential and an important part in American history. In my opinion Dr.
kings speech had a substantial amount of rhetorical devices which made it intriguing to hear but
also gave a deep meaning of the message that he was trying to portray to the people, it was
memorable and powerful.

Reference Page

Jesus Flores
10/17/16
English 110
William Barnes

By Doing This, Martin Luther King Jr. Really Makes You. " ." Rhetorical Strategies Used by
Martin Luther King, Jr. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.
Kerrey, Samwiterson. "ANALYISIS OF LITERARY DEVICES IN I HAVE A DREAM BY
DR. MARTIN LUTHER." SAMWITERSON:. N.p., 1970. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.
"Martin Luther King I Have a Dream Speech - American Rhetoric." Martin Luther King I Have a
Dream Speech - American Rhetoric. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.
"What Are Some Examples of Metaphor in Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" Speech?"
Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.