Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.
In crafting his “I have a dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. relies on his credibility as a rhetor to assure his audience’s willingness not only to listen, but also to adopt his dream for the nation. MLK's life experiences helped him appeal to a broad range of audiences. Thus, Dr. King’s hereditary background, education, and occupation laid the foundation for his charisma, which informed his activism and effectiveness as a civil rights leader.
Addressing an audience of hundreds of thousands of citizens is not an easy task just any orator could commence. It involves more than filling the air with positive energy and a certain sense of confidence. According to Dr. Ronald E. Riggio, personal charisma is a“constellation of complex and sophisticated social and emotional skills,” (Riggio, 2004). By communicating with an …show more content…
While there were other prominent leaders at the time, many could not convey the same powerful messages as King. By relying on religious mediums and establishing his prophetic role, King surpasses other civil rights advocates of this time by assuming the role of a celestial figure. This tactic is vital in demonstrating charisma, as this approach is instrumental in addressing a religiously fervent audience. He casts himself beyond another ordinary agent of change; therefore, King appeals to the audience as more charismatic. MLK’s“Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a prime example of how his religious credentials qualify him to take on the role of a divine authority figure. Michael Leff contends that King, through the use of appeals to higher authority figures, “vindicates and explains his actions,” (Leff, 2004). King draws parallels between himself and eighth-century prophets and apostle Paul carrying the word of Jesus Christ (Leff, 2004). Therefore, he is “too compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular hometown," (King,
Addressing an audience of hundreds of thousands of citizens is not an easy task just any orator could commence. It involves more than filling the air with positive energy and a certain sense of confidence. According to Dr. Ronald E. Riggio, personal charisma is a“constellation of complex and sophisticated social and emotional skills,” (Riggio, 2004). By communicating with an …show more content…
While there were other prominent leaders at the time, many could not convey the same powerful messages as King. By relying on religious mediums and establishing his prophetic role, King surpasses other civil rights advocates of this time by assuming the role of a celestial figure. This tactic is vital in demonstrating charisma, as this approach is instrumental in addressing a religiously fervent audience. He casts himself beyond another ordinary agent of change; therefore, King appeals to the audience as more charismatic. MLK’s“Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a prime example of how his religious credentials qualify him to take on the role of a divine authority figure. Michael Leff contends that King, through the use of appeals to higher authority figures, “vindicates and explains his actions,” (Leff, 2004). King draws parallels between himself and eighth-century prophets and apostle Paul carrying the word of Jesus Christ (Leff, 2004). Therefore, he is “too compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular hometown," (King,