Analyzing King's Letter

Sample Analysis of Ethos

Notice the connections to the rhetorical situation.

In one poignant moment, King declares that African Americans are there to "cash a check" — a check that represents the unfulfilled promises of freedom and equality made by the founding fathers. This poignant reference to the nation's financial and moral debt establishes King's ethos by framing the struggle for civil rights as a legitimate demand for the fulfillment of America's own commitments. King thus portrays the fight for equality not as a radical departure from American principles but as a righteous call to actualize the nation's professed ideals.

Sample Analysis of Pathos

Notice the connections to the rhetorical situation.

 Appealing to his audience’s emotions, King paints a vivid picture of racial injustice using poignant images like "the chains of discrimination" and "the dark and desolate valley of segregation." These aren't just words; they're chosen to make the audience feel the weight and pain of racism.

In the context of the civil rights movement, these images are carefully used to go beyond just talking about injustice. King wants the audience to emotionally experience what discrimination feels like. The phrase "chains of discrimination," show the burden carried by African Americans. Calling segregation a "dark and desolate valley" conveys a sense of isolation and despair, making the audience feel the harsh reality.

Considering the historical background of the March on Washington, where people have lived through discrimination, King's emotional appeal becomes even more powerful. By connecting with the audience's memories and experiences, he creates a shared emotional understanding. This emotional impact not only strengthens the urgency of the civil rights cause but also unites the audience in a common desire for justice and equality.

Sample Analysis of Logos

Notice the connections to the rhetorical situation.

King employs a well-organized structure, moving from the "shameful condition" of racial inequality to the "glorious destiny" of justice and equality. This logical progression serves to guide the audience through a compelling narrative that presents a clear cause-and-effect relationship. By carefully laying out the logical steps of his argument, King ensures that his message is not only emotionally impactful but also intellectually coherent within the specific rhetorical situation of the civil rights movement.

Furthermore, King grounds his appeal in the principles and promises of American democracy, leveraging a shared understanding of the nation's foundational documents. By referencing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, he logically aligns the struggle for civil rights with the very ideals upon which the United States was built. This appeal to common principles enhances the logical underpinning of King's argument, presenting the fight for equality as not only morally right but also inherently American.

Sample Analysis of Tone:

Notice the connections to the rhetorical situation.

In a pivotal section of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, the tone shifts with a nuanced blend of urgency and optimism. As King paints a vivid picture of his dream for a racially harmonious future, his tone resonates with passion and a resolute determination for change. The choice of words such as "now" and "urgency" infuses the tone with a sense of immediacy, emphasizing that the moment for transformation is at hand. Simultaneously, King's use of powerful imagery, like the "flames of withering injustice" and the "oasis of freedom and justice," creates a tone that is both evocative and hopeful. This combination of urgency and optimism in tone is particularly strategic within the context of the civil rights movement, as it galvanizes the audience to recognize the critical juncture for social change while instilling a profound belief in the possibility of a brighter, more equitable future. The tone in this section serves as a rhetorical tool, forging a connection between the speaker and the audience, fostering a shared commitment to the transformative vision King articulates.

Sample Analysis of a Style Element:

Notice the connections to the rhetorical situation.

Martin Luther King Jr. strategically employs the powerful rhetorical device of anaphora in his "I Have a Dream" speech, skillfully repeating the iconic phrase "I have a dream" eight times throughout the oration. This deliberate repetition operates as a compelling tool within the specific rhetorical situation of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. King's choice to use anaphora serves not only to emphasize but also to underscore the pressing urgency and profound significance of his vision for racial equality within the prevailing socio-political climate. By repetitively articulating his dream, King taps into the collective consciousness of the audience, creating a rhythmic cadence that resonates deeply. This strategic use of anaphora ensures that the central message becomes indelibly etched in the minds of the listeners, making the speech not only memorable but also profoundly impactful within the context of the civil rights movement and the broader struggle for justice and equality.

Sample Analysis of a Rhetorical Choice (not appeal)

Notice the connections to the rhetorical situation.

In Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, the strategic use of concession enhances the persuasiveness of his message during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. King, while passionately advocating for racial justice, acknowledges the harsh realities and challenges that exist. This concession adds a layer of credibility to his argument, as he recognizes and addresses potential counterarguments or doubts that the audience might have.

For example, King acknowledges the "fierce urgency of now" when discussing the need for immediate action against racial injustice. This concession recognizes the urgency of the situation and conveys an understanding of the complexities involved. By doing so, King acknowledges the potential counterargument that gradual change may be more practical, but he firmly rejects this notion, emphasizing the immediate and imperative need for transformative action.

Rhetorical Devices and Style Elements

audience

concession

connotation

context

counterargument

ethos

logos

pathos

occasion

persona

polemic

propaganda

purpose

refutation

rhetoric

rhetorical appeals

alliteration

allusion

anaphora

antimetabole

antithesis

archaic diction

asyndeton

cumulative sentence

epistrophe

hortative sentence

imperative sentence

inversion

juxtaposition

metaphor

oxymoron

parallelism

periodic sentence

personification

rhetorical question

synecdoche

zeugma

Diction

Syntax

Metonymy

Conceit

Apostrophe

Deus ex machina

Polysyndeton

Diction

Vernacular

Colloquialism

Semantics

Denotation 

Declarative Sentence

Analogy

Anecdote

Archetype

Figurative Language