An Analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' Speech

The speech by Martin Luther King Jr. is a powerful call to action for racial equality and freedom. He uses repetition of words like 'justice' and 'blacks' to create a connection with his audience, and phrases like 'I have a dream' to symbolize the dreams of African-Americans living amidst discrimination. The tone of the speech is positive, using words of harmony to engage support and trust between whites and blacks. King's use of non-verbal gestures, such as eye contact, facial expressions, and body language, adds to his persuasive power. He also employs pauses, increases in speaking volume, and modulates his tone to convey emotion and emphasize key points. Overall, the speech is a masterpiece of public speaking, effectively conveying the message of racial equality and freedom.

2.8 Communications Workshop: Evaluating a Speech
Speech Analysis Worksheet
Content
Guidance on how to respond to each question is provided in
green text.
Purpose: The purpose of the speech is to create a sense
of awareness and shock in the minds of the blacks who have a
sense of freedom but have accepted the ways of the land.
Martin Luther King Jr. uses his speech to tackle racism and
drive the lessons of Life, Liberty and Pursuit of happiness
stating about equality of humans and comparison with the
words of the constitution written by the founding fathers of
America that all men are born equal.
Speaker’s background knowledge:
Martin Luther King Jr. was an African-American civil
rights leader who believed in using the course of non-violent
civil disobedience which was based on his Christian beliefs and
values. He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi who had been a
highly important piece in the freedom struggle on India against
the British rule.
Influences (traditional, cultural, historical):
In his speech, King starts with addressing Lincoln who
had been involved with emancipation of the blacks through his
abolition of slavery over 100 years back. King addresses and
stresses that the true meaning of freedom has not yet been
achieved. The colored still face discrimination and are forced
to live in corners of American society even though they are free
by law.

2.8 Communications Workshop: Evaluating a Speech
Listener’s background knowledge:
His speech, ‘I have a dream’ was a keystone in this
movement and has been regarded as one of the finest speeches
given by leaders in the world. His speech has been seen as an
inspiration and light for the colored struggling for equal rights
in the discriminatory society of America.
See the “Types of Arguments” table on page 412 for more
information.
Arguments Evidence/Support Possible flaws
1. Does the speaker
use analogy?
A. The first instance is
when he talks about the
gathering saying all have
come in nation’s capital to
cash a check.
A. His analogies are
based on the
understanding that
people who are listening
are educated enough to
understand the
comparison being made
B. He uses the analogy of
check as means to argue
about injustice and
discrimination against the
colored.
B. The use of analogy
creates a difference as
the listener as well as
speaker may have
difference of context and
thought.
2. Does the speaker
use authority?
A. He uses Lincoln to
create a sense of authority
in the minds of the
listeners who was behind
the abolition of slavery.
A. The sense is not
completely justified as
the impact is not totally
elaborated upon
B. He uses authority again
when he talks about the
declaration of
independence and the
B. He talks a sense of
equality from one end of
the spectrum but fails to
mention the reaction of

2.8 Communications Workshop: Evaluating a Speech
pillars of life, liberty and
pursuit of happiness that
state all men to be equal.
This makes his speech
powerful and connected
with his arguments of
injustice justified
whites on this.
3. Does the
speaker use
Emotion?
A. He uses emotion in the
latter part of his speech
talking about the dream he
has as he speaks on behalf
of all African-American
listeners. He is energetic
and impromptu for this
segment
A. He flows with the
emotions as he states the
dream for a black
American but fails to
mention if this is what
exactly the dream of a
white american
B. He invokes an emotional
response and connect in
the minds of the listeners
with use of expressions
and phrases like “And the
glory of the lord shall be
revealed and all flesh shall
see it together” to give a
biblical context and relate
to the audience.
B. The reasons and flaw
lies in the assumption
that all listeners abide by
the Bible and its context.
His speech although
addresses the violent
protestants of racism but
fails to convince them on
reasons.
4. Does the speaker
use Causation?
A. He uses causation while
talking about the inertia
people have as to the
present condition that
prevails and uses his
energy to create a though
where people strive for
freedom and rout for
justice
A. He is planning to
create causation by using
words ‘I have a dream.’ It
is very much possible
that people associate this
as dream of MLK and not
of every black individual

2.8 Communications Workshop: Evaluating a Speech
Delivery
Repeated words: What important words or phrases did the
speaker repeat several times in the speech?
1. King repeats words like justice and blacks to create a
connection with the mind of the listeners as they are being
addressed and made aware about the lack of justice they
achieve from the system.
2. He uses the words ‘I have a dream’ signifying the dream of
his listeners who are available and dream of a different future
and success. His words create a mental picture in the minds of
the listeners. They connect with his words and his dream
picture he shows.
Emphasized words/ phrases: What words or phrases were
emphasized either by increased volume, or gesturing when
saying them?
His stress on the words of justice and injustice creates a
frame in the minds of speaker. His quoting of the founding
fathers in the first part makes the demarcation easy for any
listener as that emerges as the central theme. He uses simile
like sweltering summer and invigorating autumn to create an
image map in the minds of the listener. He then talks about the
oasis of freedom and how justice can be in the mind of the
listeners.
The words in the latter part of the speech, “I have a
dream” symbolizes the dreams of an African-American
individual living a life amidst discrimination and abuse. The
dream talks about equality for all men, whether black or white.
His dream states about the benevolence restored between the
black and white as they learn to share. He talks about a nation

2.8 Communications Workshop: Evaluating a Speech
in the future where people are judged by their creed and
character and not by their color.
He refers to humans as God’s children and mentions that
all are equal before him. The true sense of freedom is achieved
when people irrespective of color, religion and sect can hold
hands together and sing the verses of freedom.
Tone:
The tone of the speech has been positive and he avoids phrases
that induce discontent. His use of words states his motive of
struggle through the barrels of non-violence. We realize that he
frowns at times and has a retort in his tone when he talks
about the last 100 years and how blacks are yet to have a true
sense of freedom.
Word choice (positive or negative language):
He uses positive words to describe situations and uses words
of harmony to engage support and trust between whites and
blacks. His path of civil disobedience via non-violence is seen in
this speech.
Rate of speech (fast, moderate, slow):
We realize that during the last segment of his speech, King
speeds up this conversation. While in the initial segments, he
uses the tools of modulation and stress to drive focus on parts
of this speech, he towards the end stirs up. King realizes that
he has already energized the crowd as they feel and strive for
freedom. It is simple. Only greater energy can be seen with the
speaker being more energized and worked up. King thus uses
his energy and speed as a tool of persuasion in his listeners.
Appropriateness for audience, subject, occasion:
The speech is appropriate as a matter of fact as the people
being addressed are blacks who are suffering from racial

2.8 Communications Workshop: Evaluating a Speech
discrimination and the subject of freedom is validly being
presented at the right occasion and place
Non-verbal gestures
Eye contact:
In the initial part of the speech, King is reading the portions. He
maintains lesser eye contact with the crowd and uses
expressions of determinism with aggression in eyes towards
the injustice faced by the colored. As the speech progresses, the
reading from the paper is reduced to minimal levels as King
starts being impromptu and talks about the true meaning of
freedom. His eye contact with the crowd at this point is
continuous and people are relating to what he is stating and
presenting.
Facial expressions:
King’s emotions are evident from his facial expressions as seen
in the video. He is expressive but his face is determined and
serious at almost all times. This shows his determination and
thought process on the issue being discussed.
Gestures:
The gestures or arm movements are significant as King uses
his hands to create strong symbolic gestures. He uses his hands
in a state like he is addressing those in front of him. He uses his
fists which symbolize unity of whites and blacks under the
motto of all men are equal. These gestures are an addition to
his speech as his body language vibrates with energy and
persuasion.

2.8 Communications Workshop: Evaluating a Speech
Pauses:
He takes brief pauses to let people ponder. When he talks
about the dream, he ends his sentences with I have a dream to
ensure people grasp and ponder what he says and what exactly
the dream is.
Increases or decreases in speaking volume:
In the initial part of the speech, he uses modulation constantly
and stresses to pressure and discuss on the issues that are
worth addressing. He raises his volume on the brutalities of
police and decreases on the sad present situation of the
colored.
Overall Impression
Speaker:
King is a great speaker as he uses the emotions and the right
analogies to connect with people. He creates a mind map of
realities that blacks face and they can easily match with the
words of King Jr. He uses his body, gestures and expressions to
create a significant impact in the mind of the listeners.
Speech:
The speech of Martin Luther King Jr. is very powerful. His
speech signifies and symbolizes the freedom at that very
moment what blacks aspire for. His speech also defines a
future what coloreds can achieve at the success of this freedom
struggle. In the true ways, King talks about ways in which true
form of justice, liberty, life and pursuit of happiness can be
attained. This message holds relevance even today.