I Have A Dream Speech Rhetorical Analysis

Emotion is the basis of human interaction. Everyone has emotions and everyone responds accordingly. It is obvious that in trying to create an effective piece of writing, authors will turn to using human emotion to do so. In the speech by Martin Luther King Jr., his stylistic choices are effective in persuading his audience by targeting their emotions. Ultimately, the content of the writing is unsuccessful unless delivered in a way that forces listeners and readers to feel a certain way. MLK Jr. expertly utilizes the repetition of multiple phrases throughout his speech in order to establish his assertive and persuasive tone. As he speaks, the intensity in his voice increases to create a sense of urgency and seriousness in his audience. The repetition
This statement is not only the title of the speech, but is also extremely well known due to the overwhelmingly powerful message of emotion it portrays. The personal aspects of MLK Jr.’s own dream promote a sense of informality in his speech through the conversational tone it inhibits. This informality in his statement provokes the audience to feel connected to him, unlike other expressions that he uses which connote leadership and power. This emotional connection allows MLK Jr. to convince his audience that he deals with the same issues as everyone else and sees the need for change. Ultimately, it is the repetition that MLK Jr. uses that proves what he is saying only has an impact when an emotion is triggered through the consistent reminder that MLK Jr. is just as human as his audience. Though distinct phrases can be proven to invoke an emotional response from readers through repetition, MLK Jr. demonstrates that specifically chosen words can have a similar effect. Multiple words stand out in MLK Jr.’s speech that skillfully establish connection with audiences through the critical aspects of his tone. One extremely powerful choice MLK Jr. uses to induce an emotional response is his word,