I Have a Dream: by Martin Luther King Jr - Speech or Presentation Example

Submitted “I Have a Dream” Speech by Martin Luther King Jr. The speech, “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr. is amongst many speeches of all time ever given in the history of America. This speech is worth of length study since people are likely to learn numerous speechwriting skills from such a momentous masterpiece. Analyzing this great speech gives insight to speechwriters and learners who are likely to venture into speechwriting since it helps learn excellent skills. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of Martin Luther King’s speech by identifying strategies used, methods used to communicate information, effectiveness of organizational pattern. Analysis of the use of visuals including PowerPoint, opening and closing strategies and arguments is also essential. Finally, it will further evaluate the pathos and ethos, including the effectiveness of the speech on its delivery. The argument presented by whoever composed this speech was timely and it ensured that through the speck and the arguments presented, one could understand what was being addressed. In terms of ethos and pathos, the speech presents an account of Martin Luther’s urge to fight for freedom. When he repeats the word freedom several times, it helps connect and engage the audience emotionally. He further talks of numerous states that have been sidelined in terms of development and offers a personal account that guarantees that all shall be well. This is essential because of the audience that is being addressed have connection with the inequality issues being addressed at that particular function. To some point the speech instills a feeling of compassion and love for the states that have sidelines in terms of development. It elaborates the importance of having to live in a country where people are treated equally. He elaborates that what was evident in the America is not necessarily hatred, but it is based on numerous factors. By mentioning various states that must rise to the level of others clearly shows the passion a leader has with the well-being of his people. Rhetorically, the writer notes that whether white or black, people must co-exist and ensure that everyone rises above. He further notes that there is need to have justice for those who are still suffering in a country where others are enjoying the fruits of collectivism. In terms of strategies and methods used this masterpiececomes down to the voice, the content, structure and rhetorical devices. One of the notable strategy or method used is that of emphasizing some of the phrases repeating at the commencement of sentences. One of the techniques used in the speech is anaphora, which is the repetition of words at the commencement of neighboring clauses. Firstly, anaphora is a frequently used rhetoric devise, which helps set the pattern, and further repetition helps emphasize the pattern with the aim of increasing the magniloquence effect. For example, “I have a dream” is recurring in eight consecutive sentences that make it one of the best examples of anaphora in this speech (Echols 16). Additionally, there is other instance of anaphora by means of introduction and such major phrases include: a) “One hundred years later.….” (in paragraph 3) b) “I have a Dream…..” (paragraphs 16 through 24) c) “We can never (cannot) be satisfied……” (paragraph 13) d) “Now is the time……”(paragraph 6) e) “Let freedom ring (from)……”(paragraph 27 through 41) f) “We must…..”(paragraph 8) g) “With this faith,….”(paragraph 26) h) “Go back to….”(paragraph 14) The above phrases clearly indicated the instances where the speech tells much of Martin Luther King Jr. story. The repetition of these phrases makes the speech more memorable since they lay emphasis on the importance of the message being conversed. Other examples of repetition in Martin Luther King’s speech were “we cannot be satisfied, now is the time, and let freedom ring.” These also add to the plea of the speech by making the speech stronger and powerful. Secondly, repetition can also be employed in terms of key themes, rather than anaphora, which are quite obvious. The method or strategy of repeating certain key words or themes in the speech are essential is sending the required message to the audience. The most commonly used noun is “freedom,” which has been used twenty times in the Martin Luther’s speech (Echols 24). It becomes clear that the message has been conveyed since freedom is one of the major themes of the speech. Other key themes include: a) nation (10 times), American (4 times) and America (5 times); b) dream (11 times); c) justice (8 times) and injustice (3 times); and finally, d) we (30 times), you (8 times) and our (17 times). Thirdly, the use of allusions or appropriate quotation is an essential method that ensures that the speech evokes historic and literary references to ensure that the message is supported by facts. The use of direct quotation or allusion helps improve the speech’s credibility of arguments presented by the speaker.In this speech, the speaker has used numerous allusions: a) In the second paragraph he says, “Five years ago…” to refer to the legendary Gettysburg Address by Lincoln that began, “Four score and seven years ago…..” which is a poignant allusion provided that the speech was given in front of the Lincoln Memorial. b) There are a number of Biblical allusions to offer the moral basis in the speech. For example in the eighth paragraph he says, “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” This biblical reference evokes Jeremiah 2: 13 that says, “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that cannot hold water.” He also alludes to Psalms 30: 5 when he says, “It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long nights of their captivity.” In paragraph two, this alludes to Psalms 30: 5 which says, “For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the nights, but joy comes with the morning.” The fourth aspect is the use of specific examples to help build foundation for the speaker’s arguments. This helps the speech to improve since it shows how logical the speaker is. Martin Luther uses numerous ways to accomplish this, one of them is by making numerous geographical references such as Alabama (22), Mississippi, New York (Paragraph 13), South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana (14) and many other instances.The use of Mississippi in various instances is not by any chance a mistake because the speaker is sure it is likely to evoke toughest emotions and images for his audience. He further uses relatively generic geographic references to ensure that his message is inclusive. For examples when he talks of: “the South (25); from every mountainside (40); slums and ghettos of our northern cities (paragraph 14) and; from every village and every hamlet (41). Finally, the author uses metaphors to help in highlighting some of the contrasting concepts. This is a tool that many speakers use to relate the speech concepts with tangible images and sensations. For instance, the author or speaker used a metaphor in the second paragraph, “joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity” (Echols 24). Another example is, “rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.” These are some of the contrasting metaphors used in this speech among others. The speech was also effective since it enabled many people to realize that those languishing in poverty and others dying of hunger must be considered in the division of state wealth. In terms of structure, the speech delivery is done through a proper structure that might help the American people become hopeful. The structure fits with the objective of Martin Luther King Jr. since he believes that equality shall be the order of the day. The speech was great and I liked it because it showed that it put the civil right movement into the hearts and minds of Americans. The Americans became capable of understanding that the issues that affect their lives and became inspired through the style employed by the speaker. Furthermore, it indicated that the basis of the speech was unshakeable and filled with confidence that one day, a change will occur and many lives will be saved. The commitment shown by the speaker, when he says, “with this faith…..” makes American people enjoy the self-belief beyond individual power and the impact is felt by the audience. It was a great speech. I liked all the instances when the speaker employed the use of rhythm and repetition to emphasize the voice of the people. More so, when he says, “We can never be satisfied……” and “Let freedom ring……” showing the intensity of the speech built through bold statements. This made the speech more likable because I believe that every repetition built on the one before and reinforced the speaker’s increasing passion. It is evident that Martin Luther King Jr. speech was and still is amongst the greatest speeches of all times. The technique employed in the composition of the speech clearly fits the ears of the audience. Repetition and allusions have been used to send the intended message to the audience. By citing numerous geographical references or examples such as South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, New York among others clearly emphasizes the message being communicated. This analysis has clearly indicated that this speech has comes down to the voice, the content, structure, rhetorical devices that assures its relevance. Both strategies and the methods employed are instrumental to the message delivered by the speaker and in understanding some of the rhetoric techniques in a great way. Work Cited Echols, James, ed. I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Future of Multicultural America. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004. Print. Read More