Barstow Community College I Have A Dream Speech by Dr Martin Luther King Jr Essay

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Barstow Community College

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Read (or watch, you can find both online) The famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Then in a 5 to 7-page paper, analyze his speech. Make sure to proofread. Due on the final day of

class. Double-space Times New Roman 12-point font. You also need to have at least five sources

(this included the text of the famous speech)

Some questions to consider:

Is it effective? Why or why not?

Does Dr. King understand his audience?

What tools does Dr. King use in his speech?

What is the general purpose of his speech? (ex: is it to inform, persuade, entertain?)

What is the specific purpose?

If you watch or listen to the speech, what vocal and/or nonverbal techniques does he use? Are they

effective?

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Explanation & Answer

View attached explanation and answer. Let me know if you have any questions.hey 👋 here is the introduction

An Analysis of “I Have A Dream” Speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Overall Analysis of Speech
On August 28, 1963, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech entitled “I Have A Dream”
which was delivered in about 17 minutes on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. In this speech,
references were made to the Bible, The Gettysburg Address and the United States Declaration of
Independence. The summary of the specific purpose for such prose addressed the oppression of
all African Americans related to their present and future well-being in society. This vocalization
was effective as it showed that equal rights, justice and freedom were essential steps and
epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States where African Americans and all
Americans should stand up as a whole to defend themselves regardless of their race. Dr King Jr.
demonstrated the understanding of his audience through the sensitivity on the global topic of
racial rights and freedom. This was impactful as the audience was approached emotionally on
racial injustice, racial harmony and integration. In addition, the site at which the speech was
done had an emotional connotation as the matter of slavery was discussed there before. The
general purpose of the speech was one that inspired the audience, gave hope, provided
motivation and empowerment to persevere to fight for the rights of one another.

View attached explanation and answer. Let me know if you have any questions.

Running head: An Analysis of “I Have A Dream” Speech by Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
An Analysis of “I Have A Dream” Speech by Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.

Introduction
On August 28, 1963, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech entitled “I Have A Dream”
which was delivered in about 17 minutes on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. In this speech,
references were made to the Bible, The Gettysburg Address and the United States Declaration of
Independence. The summary of the specific purpose for such prose informed on the oppression
of all African Americans related to their present and future well-being in society. This
vocalization was effective as it showed that equal rights, justice and freedom were essential steps
and epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States where African Americans and
all Americans should stand up as a whole to defend themselves regardless of their race. Dr King
Jr. demonstrated the understanding of his audience through the sensitivity on the global topic of
racial rights and freedom. This was impactful as the audience was approached emotionally on
racial injustice, racial harmony and integration. In addition, the site at which the speech was
done had an emotional connotation as the matter of slavery was discussed there before. The
general purpose of the speech was persuasion which inspired the audience, gave hope, provided
motivation and empowered them to persevere fighting for the rights of one another.

Tools used in the speech
There were numerous tools namely literary and rhetorical devices used throughout the speech
which added to the effectiveness of the speech. These tools included:

1.

Persuasion- Dr King Jr. used his credibility as a Black person living within the United

States and had intimate knowledge garnered from working within the Civil Rights Movement as

Running head: An Analysis of “I Have A Dream” Speech by Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
a perfect position to talk about the common experience of the Americans. Additionally, there was
an emotional appeal to the audience of the resonation of the theme of freedom. This was evident
when King Jr. declared: “all of God's children...sing, free at last”.

2.

Anaphora: This was evident as there was the usage of the identical words at the start of

multiple lines which created repetition and made the speech and story more memorable.
Examples were: “I have a dream”, “One hundred years later”, “Now is the time,” “Go back to,”
“With this faith,” We can never (or cannot) be satisfied” and “Let freedom ring (from)” were all
other phrases that begin multiple lines.

3.

Repetition of words and sounds: Common themes of freedom, justice and therefore the

power of dreams used. Also, this was evident with key theme words like freedom, we, our, you,
nation, America, American, dream, justice and injustice were all used multiple times. Also, there
was repetition in sounds an example was: “In a sense, we have come to our nation’s capital to
cash a check”.

4.

Imagery: For example, “slums and ghettos of our northern cities,”, this phrase would

appeal to and triggered the audience senses as it enabled one to visualize prevailing conditions in
the particular geographical location

5.

Metaphor: These were used to contrast segregation with racial injustice and freedom

with liberation. As an example “sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into
an oasis of freedom and justice.” The oppression was compared to “heat” and freedom and
justice to “an oasis.”

Running head: An Analysis of “I Have A Dream” Speech by Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
6.

Hyperbole- This is a figure of speech used for exaggeration by evoking strong feelings

and impressions. For example: “And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when
we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be
able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and
Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing”. This statement
highlighted the seriousness that true justice could only come when every person believes in
freedom for all.

7.

Parallelism- This was used to empower the crowd “to fight” in a non-violent and

peaceful manner where there would be equality of the people fighting together. For example:
“With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to
jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day”.

8.

Personification- this is a figure of speech used when a thing or abstraction is represented

as an individual. Wi...


Anonymous
Just what I was looking for! Super helpful.

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