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Instilling change in people can be challenging, and it requires an effective communication approach to convince the group about the given topic. Public persuasive speech is the most efficient approach that visionary leaders and other individuals apply to sell their opinion and reasons why they feel it is appropriate for the followers to adapt to the proposed change. It is the art of influencing the listeners while providing tangible supportive evidence to enhance their perspective on the matter. To deliver a proper and captivating speech, the speaker must identify the characteristics of the audience and choose the right words that match their needs. The focus of the paper is to critically analyze the public persuasive speech ‘I Have a Dream’ by Dr. Martin Luther King based on centering audience, arguments, and verbal delivery.
The public speech ‘I Have a Dream’ was presented by an American activist that advocated for equality in civil rights. The context of the communication was based on the situation that most American citizens, especially people of color, were facing such as discrimination in all aspects. After undergoing a painful experience in the country, King started mobilizing the people and convincing them that a time has come that the citizens of America must enjoy the fruits of democracy. The speaker stated that it is time for Americans to rise from the isolated valley of segregation and take a path that will lead them to racial justice (Bajri et al., 2021). In the speech, the communicator proposed that the country should be lifted from the injustice practices to enhance brotherhood. The main purpose of King’s presentation was to motivate and inspire Americans to value civil rights despite the person’s skin color.
In his speech, King applied the concept of centering the audience. He specifically presented the matter of racial justice that the people were facing in the country. King knew the needs of the people present and he chose wisely to communicate and motivate the crowd by telling them it is time to end the racial injustices being experienced in America. By focusing on the topic of equality and civil rights, King managed to persuade the group effectively. The people of color wanted to resolve the issue of unjust and by addressing and inspiring them, the presentation became significant to the respective audience.
King further applied the concept of crafting arguments and information. The activist used pathos in his statement to attract the feelings of the audience present (Mapes, 2022). For instance, he said, “One hundred years later the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his land,” (Bajri et al., 2021). By using such words, the perspective of the crowd is easily changed and thus they receive the presentation effectively. The principle is significant in enabling the speaker to embed strong evidence that persuades the crowd.
In addition, King employed the principle of verbal delivery in his persuasive speech. Generally, the audience relies on communication to understand the points of the speaker (Mapes, 2022). Choosing the right words creates a shared meaning where both parties understand the view of each other. The statement “One hundred years later the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty amid a vast ocean of material prosperity,” makes people hear and feel his perception (Bajri et al., 2021). By using vivid language in the speech, he managed to develop a sense of understanding that made it easier to convince the audience.
Delivering a public persuasive speech requires the leader to apply various concepts and principles of communication to capture and convince the audience. The speaker must identify the need that the crowd is willing to resolve and motivate them towards the reform. Dr. Martin Luther King incorporated different communication techniques such as employing arguments and verbal delivery to enhance his presentation. Therefore, any public persuader must choose relevant styles to inspire the crowd.
References
Bajri, I. A., & Mariesel, L. M. (2021). Martin Luther King’s Speech ‘I Have a Dream’: Discourse Analysis. Modern Perspectives in Language, Literature and Education Vol. 8, 1-8.
Mapes, M. (2022). Speak Out, Call In: Public Speaking as Advocacy. Speakupcallin.pressbooks.com.
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