Rhetorical Devices from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech

1. Allusion
   - Ex. 1.) "5 score years ago..." ( Sentence 1, Paragraph 2)
      - It gives the audience a visualization of the time and era that is taking place.
   - Ex. 2.) " My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing." (Sentence 2, Paragraph 20)
      - Gives the audience a visualization of the freedom they have in this country.
Allusion is used in this speech to give the audience a visual thought of change and equality for the better.

2. Antithesis
   - Ex. 1.) "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be  judged by the color of their skin but by the content or their character." (Sentence 1, Paragraph 18)
     - Sets a division between African Americans and their character. This statement shows that not all black people are out to cause harm anybody, they just want to be treated equally.
   - Ex. 2.) "..., Jew and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, ..." ( Lines 4 & 5, paragraph 23)
     - These religions are somewhat related to one another, but not alike. The purpose of this part of the speech was to acknowledge the many different religions, also to make a point that just because there is a difference doesn't mean that you have to be against them or treat them any different than or religions.
Antithesis is used in this speech to acknowledge all of the many differences in the world such as, your race, the color of your skin, and your religion to show that no matter how much you try to avoid it, diversity is going to be here regardless of the circumstances.

3. Repetition
    - Ex. 1.) "I have a dream that one day..." (Paragraph 16-19)
      - The repeating of these words may cause a movement to the audience to have a dream and do whatever it takes to live to that dream.
    -Ex. 2.) " Let freedom ring..." (Paragraph 20-23)
      - This quote promotes the thought of letting freedom be free for all round the nation.
Repetition is used in this speech for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to get his point across and by trying to start a movement for those who are for him.