RHETORICAL APPEALS

Rhetorical Appeals Assignment Codie Thompson UW Oshkosh

RHETORICAL APPEALS Ethos Appeal: Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand
today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation (King, 1963, p.1). King made his speech at the Lincoln Memorial and referenced Lincolns famous speech given during the American Civil War. He also referenced the Emancipation

Proclamation. Kings Lincoln reference is an ethos appeal because it shows he took the time to not only research but also give credit to trailblazers who came before him in the fight for equality. He made this reference to demonstrate that he put a great amount of thought in preparing his speech as well as to boost his credibility as a well-educated man. This appeal also helped him earn the audiences respect by paying his respects to the individuals who had previously fought for equal rights in America. When King mentioned Lincolns advancement, he was able to reach individuals that may not have respected or agree with his views but did respect and agree with President Lincoln. Acknowledging Lincoln and Lincolns efforts in righting a previous wrong demonstrates MLK Jr.s upstanding, trustworthy reputation.

Pathos: But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition (King, 1963, p.1). King follows his ethos appeal with a pathos appeal. He used this passage to give his audience an emotional picture to help them better understand what little progress had

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been made in the 100 hundred years that followed Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation.

The similes he used in this passage helped his audience to attach memorable feelings to the lack of progress made. This allowed his audience to not only identify the set back but also experience it through emotion. He created this pathos appeal to help his audience identify with the painstaking inequalities many African Americans had suffered.

Logos: But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred (King, 1963, p.1). This is a logos appeal because it exemplifies the illogical thought process of trying to achieve peace among all people through violence and hatred. By definition, the two are apposing states of being, and indulging in one will not achieve the other. King strategically used this logical plea to encourage his audience to behave by the universal Golden Rule. He wanted his audience to treat other individuals as they themselves would want to be treated. He knew if they were to misconstrue his message and behave in a hatful, violent manner, peace and equality would never be achieved.

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References King, ML. (1963). I have a dream. Proceedings of the March on washington for jobs and freedom Washington D.C.: CBS, Inc.