Ra#4

Martin Luther King jr's "I have a Dream" speech is a clear demonstration of audience analysis, as well as language tools. Not only does it adress his literal audience (those gathered to hear him speak), it also adresses those who oppose him, and those who are neutrel. King knows that his audience, the ones actually there, want rights for colored people, so that's what he talks about (duh), but more interesting is how he talks about it. King knew that those opposed to his view would likely read or hear his speech and try to criticize it and disprove it, so he used very credible sources to make his point, sources that his enemies were familiar with. One of these sources was the Bible (amos 5:24, which deals with justice, and Isaiah 40:4-5, which says that "the glory of the lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together"), King knew most of his enemies were from the south, and were very familiar with the Bible, thus he quoted a source his audience was familiar with. In addition King knew that his audience would probably not criticize the Bible, and thus established for himself a solid source for his argument. King's quotation of the Bible also appealed to thise christioans who were undecided on issues of race. In addition to the Bible King also used sources from the American past. One of these sources is the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, which states "all men are created equal". King's opponents were all americans, who all certainly valued their independence. King's use of the Declaration of Independence shows that he correctly interpreted his audience and presented information that they accepted to prove his point, no american, against, for or, undecided on equal rights would argue with the Declaration of Independence. King also used the song "My country Tis of thee" in which one line reads "From every mountain side let freedom ring" to show his point. King also made great use of language tools. King's primary language tool was the allusion, to the past works mentioned above, the Bible, the Declaration of Independence, etc. These allusions while supporting his point also made him appear smart and well read, which he was. In addition to the obvious allusions to past events King also used a more subtle one, he began the main part of his speech "Five score years ago", comparing his speech to the Gettysburg address. By alluding albeit subtly to the Gettysburg Address king makes his speech an anthem for freedom similar to the Gettysburg Address in that the issue of race rights was at its height, much like the Civil War was at its height at Gettysburg. King clearly understood that not only his friends but his enemies, and everyone in between would see or hear his speech, and thus used documents from American History, and World history to prove his point showing his ability to analyze an audience and use language tools, particularly allusions.