Rhetorical Strategies Rhetorical Strategy 1: Term Paper

This calling for forgiveness, as Jesus forgave humanity for its sins and a Christian seeks forgiveness in a church, is a more difficult ethical request of King's audience. It is hard to forgive those who use violence and use nonviolence, hence the use of the religious language to make a strong ethical appeal. This metaphor it is also effective given the hot, long day, and the physically thirsty audience, thirsting for both water and justice.

Rhetorical Strategy 2 -- Alliteration

King's appeal is reinforced by his effective use of alliteration as well as language. The words of his speech often make use of the same first letter, causing the words to remain in the listener's mind long after the speech has finished. For example: "Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation." The symbolic shadow of Lincoln, who attempted to end slavery and suffering of African-Americans over the course of the Civil War, is a physical as well as a spiritual presence during King's speech.King stands literally and symbolically near the statue of the greatest president the United States has every known. It is a more intellectual, factual use of history, on the part of King, to command support (logos).

King also shows wit as well as sorrow and determination during his speech, through the use of alliteration. He speaks of how his people have come to "cash a check" for justice. Long ago, African-Americans were promised legal and social parity with whites. The use of alliteration makes this phrase, and what King's followers are asking seem deceptively simple, but logical -- African-Americans were promised justice, and under American law, they are entitled to their rights just as surely as someone who is given a check deserves payment.

Works Cited

King, Martin Luther. "I have a dream." American Rhetoric. http://americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm.....