Martin Luther King - I have a Dream
Paper 1 Practice Paragraphs
The intended audience for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech was to the entire nation. However - within his speech - there are instances where he was targeting the African Americans living in the southern states directly. Firstly Martin Luther King utilizes and references quotes from the bible, "Until Justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream". This quote is denouncing hypocrisy and inequality directly from the religious beliefs of the majority of the nation. By referencing the bible in multiple areas, King is linking his speech to the audiences religious context, as what is being said will be really felt by the people who have strong beliefs spiritually. In doing this, King is facilitating a path in which the white audience will agree with his views on equality and the changes that should be made in society. Secondly, King directs parts of his speech to his African American audience; King uses the pronoun "we" in multiple occasions such as the following "But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt". The "we" referring to the ones who were given the "check" from America for freedom; or in other words, the African Americans that were promised equal rights five years ago during the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Moreover, using pronouns, King is implementing and highlighting the social context of the social situation of African Americans and their dreams of equality in the nation.
With the above in mind, Martin Luther King uses multiple stylystic devices in order to appeal to his audience to a higher extent. One of the very prominent forms of rhetorical devices that are seen repeatedly throughout the speech is Allusion. King refrences differnet scenarios and expressess cetain aspects without mentioning or explicitly stating it, such as, "Five Score years ago, a great American, in whoes symbolic shadow we stand in today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation". King starts off his speech with that line. He is referring back 100 years, to when Lincon signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed all slaves in rebel territories. He is saluting ad praising Lincon's contribution in his fight against inequality and discrimination. King explicitly states that he is standing in the "symbolic shadow", as he is literally and figuratively standing "in" Lincoln's shadow. Saying that he is standing in the shadow of Lincon, illustrates to the audience that he is continuing the fight that Lincon has played such a large role in. That he is continuing his legacy in hopes of achieving what Lincon could not. By referencing this great moment in American History, he is bringing his very large and broad audience together as one; giving them all something that they can relate to and understand. Through this, he is already directing his speech towards a social context that the audience of all Americans will understnad, thus increasing the effectiveness of his speech in conveying the message that he wanted to.
The intended audience for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech was to the entire nation. However - within his speech - there are instances where he was targeting the African Americans living in the southern states directly. Firstly Martin Luther King utilizes and references quotes from the bible, "Until Justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream". This quote is denouncing hypocrisy and inequality directly from the religious beliefs of the majority of the nation. By referencing the bible in multiple areas, King is linking his speech to the audiences religious context, as what is being said will be really felt by the people who have strong beliefs spiritually. In doing this, King is facilitating a path in which the white audience will agree with his views on equality and the changes that should be made in society. Secondly, King directs parts of his speech to his African American audience; King uses the pronoun "we" in multiple occasions such as the following "But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt". The "we" referring to the ones who were given the "check" from America for freedom; or in other words, the African Americans that were promised equal rights five years ago during the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Moreover, using pronouns, King is implementing and highlighting the social context of the social situation of African Americans and their dreams of equality in the nation.
With the above in mind, Martin Luther King uses multiple stylystic devices in order to appeal to his audience to a higher extent. One of the very prominent forms of rhetorical devices that are seen repeatedly throughout the speech is Allusion. King refrences differnet scenarios and expressess cetain aspects without mentioning or explicitly stating it, such as, "Five Score years ago, a great American, in whoes symbolic shadow we stand in today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation". King starts off his speech with that line. He is referring back 100 years, to when Lincon signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed all slaves in rebel territories. He is saluting ad praising Lincon's contribution in his fight against inequality and discrimination. King explicitly states that he is standing in the "symbolic shadow", as he is literally and figuratively standing "in" Lincoln's shadow. Saying that he is standing in the shadow of Lincon, illustrates to the audience that he is continuing the fight that Lincon has played such a large role in. That he is continuing his legacy in hopes of achieving what Lincon could not. By referencing this great moment in American History, he is bringing his very large and broad audience together as one; giving them all something that they can relate to and understand. Through this, he is already directing his speech towards a social context that the audience of all Americans will understnad, thus increasing the effectiveness of his speech in conveying the message that he wanted to.
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