Speech Analysis   Term Paper ID:41991 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: This document provides an analysis of Martin Luther King Jr s I Have a ...... More...

3 Pages / 675 Words 2 sources, 8 Citations, APA Format $12.00 Return to List of Papers

Paper Abstract: This document provides an analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech that focuses on King’s use of language; including concrete words, metaphors, parallelism, and repetition. His use of a “crescendo ending” is also discussed. Paper Introduction: Speech Analysis Introduction In modern oratory the speech I Have a Dream delivered by MartinLuther King Jr on August is held up as the gold standard ofbrilliant rhetoric and oratory The strong rhetorical skills of democraticpresidential nominee Barack Obama is often compared to the oratory of KingJr Delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March onWashington King\'s powerful speech marked a defining moment in the CivilRights Movement An analysis of King\'s speech demonstrates that one of themost significant reasons Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. King also relies on the use of parallelism to make his speech moreeffective and powerful. In the last eleven lines ofthe speech, King (1963) repeats the phrase "let freedom ring" or "freedomring" no less than ten times (p. Finally, King's speech ends dramatically and powerfully because heemploys the use of a "crescendo ending." Lucas (2 3) defines a crescendoending as "A conclusion in which the speech builds to a zenith of power andintensity" (p. Clearly King's use oflanguage goes a long way in explaining its significant impact at the timeand its enduring and lasting power and images. Thank God Almighty, we are free atlast" (King, 1963, p. 4). (1963). 238). New York: McGraw-Hill. E. Delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March onWashington, King's powerful speech marked a defining moment in the CivilRights Movement. Six of these sentences also end withan exclamation mark. Retrieved 8 September 2 8 at: http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html, 1-4.Lucas, S. An analysis of King's speech demonstrates that one of themost significant reasons for its enormous impact and enduring power is theCivil Rights leader's brilliant use of language. 2). King (1963) also uses concrete language when he refersto the site of the Lincoln Memorial as "hallowed ground" (p. Constitution (King, 1963, p. (2 3). This ending is so powerful this line continuesto be repeated throughout American culture as a reminder of freedom andequality for all people. Likening the Constitution to a"promissory note" helps reinforce King's point that the U.S. on August 28, 1963, is held up as the "gold standard" ofbrilliant rhetoric and oratory. By repeating this phrase with ever greater intensity,King reinforces the main point of his speech which is achieving trueequality and freedom for African Americans. 4)! This improves thereadability of the speech and also makes it more memorable to listenersfrom the repetition of clauses that flow. The strong rhetorical skills of democraticpresidential nominee Barack Obama is often compared to the oratory of KingJr. The first two equate segregation and discrimination withimprisonment and restriction of freedom. King issuggesting that the site of a memorial to the man who abolished slavery andpromoted freedom is sacred. L. King (1963)provides a similar repetition with the "I have a dream" repetition earlierin the speech (p. 2). Free at last! Body Where language is concerned, King uses concrete words that createsharp, vivid images throughout the speech. I have a dream, (Speech; Transcript). King's use of language also involves effective use of metaphors.King uses many metaphors in the speech. 4). This image issharp and presents a vivid mental image of the impact of inequality onAfrican Americans. This use of language is complimented by King's "crescendoending," a passage and image so powerful that it remains present in theminds of contemporary Americans and is often referred to in modern culture.ReferencesKing Jr., M. 2). These metaphors arepowerful. King's final sentence contains eighty-two words andbuilds in power and intensity. He maintains that the life ofthe Negro in America is "sadly crippled" (King, 1963, p. Conclusion In conclusion, Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech isconsidered one of the greatest in modern history. When King (1963) discusses turning the nation intoa "beautiful symphony of brotherhood" (another metaphor), he engages inparallelism to reinforce his call for greater cooperation and harmony:"With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, tostruggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedomtogether, knowing that we will be free one day" (p. Government -as overseer of the social contract - has made a promise to promote equalityand freedom for all Americans as guaranteed in the U.S. The I Have a Dream speech also shows King's use of repetition tomake his words more memorable and powerful. Constitution. The Art of Public Speaking, (8th Edit.). The brilliant use oflanguage by King employs concrete words, metaphors, repetition andparallelism. 82818 Speech Analysis Introduction In modern oratory, the speech (I Have a Dream) delivered by MartinLuther King, Jr. By repeating the phrase somany times and applying it to all regions of the nation, from New Hampshireand Pennsylvania to Colorado and California, King basically turns thephrase into a chant and protest in an appeal to all Americans. 3). He refers to the "manacles ofsegregation," the "chains of discrimination," and the "promissory note"that is the U.S. His final words are the lines of a NegroSpiritual, "Free at last! If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.