I Have a Dream

Speech by Martin Luther King Jr.

Can a dream change the

world?

Time and again someone has a dream,

or vision, of how to make the world a
better place. Powerful words can help
turn a persons dream into reality. In
Luther Kings speech, the latter sets
forth his vision for the future.

Text Analysis: Argument

An argument expresses a position on an issue

and supports the position with reasons and
evidence. A sound argument include these
elements:
A claim: the writer or speakers position on an
issue.
The support: the reasons and evidence that
support the claim.

Rhetorical Devices
RHETORICAL DEVICE

EXAMPLES

REPETITION
Let there be justice for all. Let there be
peace for all. Let there be work, bread,
water and salt for all.

Uses the same word or words more than

once.

-Nelson Mandela

PARALLELISM
We cannot, we must not, refuse to
Uses similar grammatical constructions
protect the right of every American to
to express ideas that are related or equal vote in every election And we ought
in importance. Often creates a rhythm.
not, and cannot, and we must not wait
another eight months before we get a
bill.
-Lyndon Baines
ANALOGY
Makes a comparison between two
subjects that are alike in some ways.

Have you heard the canned, frozen and

processed product being dished up to
the world as American popular music
today?
-Billy Joel

Vocabulary

Momentous: adj: of great importance.

Default: v. to fail to keep a promise, especially a promise
to repay a loan.
Legitimate: adj. Justifiable, reasonable.
Militancy: n. the act of aggressively supporting a
political social cause.
Inextricably: adv. In a way impossible to untangle.

Background

On August 28, 1963, more

than 250, 000 Americans
of all races and from all
over the country took part
in a march on
Washington, D.C. to urge
congress to pass a civil
rights bill. Late in the day,
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Delivered his speech,
encouraging people to
use nonviolent protest to
bring social change.