9/19 – 1st draft

MLK “I have a dream” Analysis

On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr delivered his most famous “I Have a Dream” speech where he asserts that all races should be equal. Martin Luther King develops his argument by stating examples of how the circumstances differed between colored and white people. The author’s purpose is to prove to the audience how unequal the races are being treated and he’s demanding change. Throughout my essay I will explain how Martin Luther King uses real life examples and rhetoric to show the audience how poorly the racial equality was during that time.

During the 60’s segregation was at an all time high and the treatment to colored people was unfair. Martin Luther King Jr. opens up his speech stating that he is grateful for everyone who attended “the greatest demonstration of freedom”. At this point this speech is already creating a pathos appeal. He then goes on to create a very logos-like appeal when states that the Emancipation Proclamation gave “hope to millions of Negro slaves who had seared in the flames of withering injustice”. The Emancipation Proclamation was a big step towards more equal treatment between all races. He also uses multiple anaphora examples throughout his speech to appeal to the audience. Dr. King states “the life of the Negro is still badly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination”, “the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity” , “the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land”.