Armantrout 1

Mary Armantrout

Professor Smith

Spring 2023 English 2010

April 5, 2023

Never Stop Dreaming

This essay will be a rhetorical text analysis of “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King

Jr. It will examine the following elements, first, context. Second, it will cover structure. After

that language. Followed by delivery. Lastly, impact.

King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is a huge part of the civil rights movement and is

widely referred to as one of the greatest speeches in American history. It was given on August

28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. This occurred during the

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In this speech, King spoke with passion about the

need for racial equality and justice. He is pushing for the end of discrimination against Black

Americans.

First up it will cover context. The context of the speech is extremely important in being

able to fully understand its significance. This speech was delivered at a very important time

right at the height of the Civil Rights Movement when Black Americans were fighting for

equal rights. This included the right to vote and an end to segregation. King’s speech was given

to an audience of over 250,000 people. Members of the audience included civil rights activists,

leaders, politicians, and ordinary citizens. The speech was also broadcasted on TV reaching

millions of Americans who weren’t there.

Second, it will cover structure. King’s speech has a clear structure from the beginning to

the end. To start he begins with an introduction that uses ethos to establish his credibility as a
leader in the civil rights movement. He highlights the issue of racial inequality as justice for

basic human rights. This approach appeals to the audience’s emotions or sympathy also known

as pathos.

Moving into the middle section of the speech he explains and describes the current state

of racial inequality in America at the time. He uses very strong, powerful, vivid phrases and

language to emphasize the hardship and oppression not only he has experienced but also by the

African American community, another good use of pathos.

Consistently throughout the whole speech, he uses repetition and parallels to get his point

across these appeal to both logos and pathos of the audience. This also creates rhythm and

momentum that builds to the main point of racial justice.

Now it will examine the language used. One of the most intreating and memorable

features of King’s speech is his use of powerful and evocative language that conveys his

message. He uses many different elements of rhetorical devices, such as metaphors, allusion, and

repetition. To truly emphasize his points, he creates a sense of urgency and moral outrage. For

example, he compares racial discrimination to a “dark and desolate valley” and a “lonely island

of poverty”, using these imaginative vivid phrases conveys the message of isolation and

suffering of the Black Americans.

As mentioned, before he uses repetition to create urgency and momentum, repeating the

phrase “I have a dream” throughout the speech to emphasize his vision of a more equal and just

society.

The third element of examination is delivery. Another important element is King's

delivery of the speech. This is an important factor in the impact and lasting significance of the

speech. He speaks with conviction, confidence, and passion. His body language is firm it helps
convey the urgency and emotion of his message. It had a motivating effect on the audience. It

also was an inspiration of hope.

While speaking he makes frequent pauses and changes his tone of voice and volume to

truly emphasize key elements and points. It creates a sense of drama and momentum. Another

thing about his delivery is it has a sense of inclusivity and connection to the audience. He

repeatedly uses “we” to show the shared struggle for justice and equality.

Lastly, it will cover impact. The impact of King’s speech was not only immediate and

profound, but it is still influential and relevant today. Both in terms of its impact on the civil

rights movement and its lasting significance in American history. The speech helped gain the

support of the civil rights movement and had a huge role in the passing of the Civil Rights Act of

1964 and the Voting Right Act of 1965. It also helped signify and cement King’s role as a

leading figure in the movement and as mentioned before a symbol of hope and inspiration.

King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is honestly a masterpiece of rhetorical skills. He was

able to combine powerful language, effective delivery, and a clear structure to promote a

message of justice, hope, and equality. Its impact on the civil rights movement and American

history is huge. It's significant as a symbol of hope and inspiration and continues to touch people

today. As King himself said in the speech's closing lines. “Let freedom ring from every hill and

molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside and let freedom ring.”

In conclusion, this essay has been a rhetorical text analysis of “I Have a Dream” by

Martin Luther King Junior. It examined the following elements. First, it covered context. Second,

it covered structure. After that language. Followed by delivery. Lastly, impact.

 Cite

RARE FACTS. “I Have a Dream Speech by Martin Luther King .Jr HD (Subtitled).” YouTube, 7

Nov. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP4iY1TtS3s.