Running Head: RHETORIC ANALYSIS I HAVE A DREAM

Rhetoric Analysis I Have a Dream Tabitha Gomez University of Texas at El Paso

RHETORIC ANALYSIS I HAVE A DREAM Introduction In August of 1963, people gathered from all over the nation to witness a

speech delivered by a colored pastor by the name of Martin Luther King. The speech was called I have a dream. As he spoke out to the people, he made sure to state the unfairness of discrimination and segregation of colored people in America clearly. The main goal of his speech was to gain freedom for all citizens in the United States of America. Martin Luther King uses Ethos, Pathos and Logos exquisitely throughout his speech to provide Americans reason as to how there is injustice in our nation. He clearly states in the beginning of his speech 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. In the PDF reference it is used to help show the intended audience the purpose, rhetoric issues, and the structure and delivery of his speech.

Audience and Purpose questions The intended audience of the I have a dream speech is all people of all races so that America can be united into one. Specifically those who think they are superior to colored people or people of some kind of minority. Martin Luther King stated equality for America in his speech simply because most thought it was unfair to have unequal rights when the United States is suppose to be The land of the free. He spoke publically to inform and also persuade those who believe in equal and unequal rights. It was important for him to get his message across to every one in an appropriate manner, so that they knew and understand why he was delivering his speech. He used a very direct and distinct vocabulary to seize the audiences attention. He was very

RHETORIC ANALYSIS I HAVE A DREAM assertive and mindful of his audience. The audience can take their time and take no longer than a few minutes reading his speech to comprehend his message. Martin

Luther Kings speech was significant in such ways as people were moved, and their ideas over segregation and racism were shifted. The day marked a special day in history and is now a national holida. Rhetorical Issues The document helps convey the message because it has factual information of Martin Luther Kings speech word for word, so that it is easy to understand properly. The speech evokes special emotions such as, anger, happiness, sadness, the feeling of being sorrow, as well as determined to take Acton. The feeling of being angry was chosen because those people who did not agree with his speech or the idea of listening to a colored man were a horrible idea. The feeling of happiness was chosen because; the speech impacted those who thought that the world that they lived in should be joyous. The feeling of sadness was chosen because people who were part of brutal hazing and racist acts are now being able to hear a voice. The feeling of sorrow was chosen because hearing the speech brought back painful memories to some. The PDF that was chosen as a reference was appropriate simply because it is factual evidence.

Structure and delivery

RHETORIC ANALYSIS I HAVE A DREAM

References http://www.archives.gov/press/exhibits/dream-speech.pdf