MLK Rhetorical Analysis Review

The purpose of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech was to:

• advocate for civil rights and equality

• promote economic policies

• support a political candidate

• discuss environmental issues

The 'I Have a Dream' speech targeted which audiences?

• Civil rights activists and supporters

• Government officials

• General public

• All of the above

The 'I Have a Dream' speech was delivered in the context of:

• a civil rights rally in Washington, D.C.

• a presidential inauguration

• a United Nations assembly

• a university commencement ceremony

The ongoing issues that prompted Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech were:

• Racial inequality and segregation

• Economic policies

• Foreign relations

• Environmental concerns

Which of the following is an example of a metaphor used in the 'I Have a Dream' speech?

• 'I have a dream'

• 'America has given the Negro people a bad check'

• 'Justice rolls down like waters'

• 'Vivid descriptions of racial harmony'

Who is the speaker/writer? What do we know about them? What can you tell or what do you know about the speaker that helps you understand the point of view expressed?

• The speaker is a well-known author with a background in literature, which helps in understanding their literary perspective.

• The speaker is a scientist, providing a technical viewpoint.

• The speaker is a politician, offering a political perspective.

• The speaker is an artist, giving an artistic viewpoint.

Who is the speaker/writer trying to reach? How do we know? Do they indicate a specific audience? What assumptions exist?

• The speaker/writer is trying to reach a general audience, as indicated by the lack of specific jargon or technical language.

• The speaker/writer is targeting a specific professional group, as evidenced by the use of industry-specific terminology.

• The speaker/writer is addressing a younger audience, as shown by the use of informal language and contemporary references.

• The speaker/writer is reaching out to an academic audience, as indicated by the formal tone and citation of scholarly sources.

What is mentioned in the text about the intended audience?

• The intended audience is children.

• The intended audience is teenagers.

• The intended audience is adults.

• The intended audience is seniors.

What was the spark or catalyst that moved the speaker/writer to act/write? How did that event impact the speaker/writer?

• The speaker/writer was inspired by a personal experience.

• The speaker/writer was motivated by a historical event.

• The speaker/writer was influenced by a conversation with a friend.

• The speaker/writer was driven by a societal issue.

What are the rhetorical choices that the speaker/writer makes in the speech? Think about overall structure, devices, diction, syntax, etc.

• The speaker/writer uses a variety of rhetorical choices including overall structure, devices, diction, and syntax.

• The speaker/writer focuses solely on diction and syntax.

• The speaker/writer does not use any rhetorical choices.

• The speaker/writer uses rhetorical choices only in the conclusion.