Rhetorical Analysis Of I Have A Dream Speech

“I Have a Dream” “I Have A Dream” by Martin Luther King Junior is a widely known speech that demonstrates the power of rhetoric and the effect it can have on the audience ("Martin Luther King I Have a Dream Speech”.) King begins his “I Have a Dream” speech by acknowledging the Emancipation Proclamation and the Declaration of Independence. “This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice.” ("Martin Luther King I Have a Dream Speech”.) The Declaration of Independence was a promise that all men and women would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. King’s purpose of talking about the Declaration is to show people how America has failed to comply with this document. The primary purpose of the speech was to show America the racial inequalities, inspire change between whites and blacks, and end discrimination. …show more content…
Martin Luther King made his way to Washington to deliver his speech. During the time period of when he made his speech African Americans were being mistreated and discriminated against. Towards the beginning of his speech he referred to the Declaration of Independence as a “promissory note.’ A note that everyone was supposed to be treated equally under. “Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." ("Martin Luther King I Have a Dream Speech”.) King expressed that now it was time for real promises to be made in the