Rhetorical Devices

Choose two to explain why this is ethos: “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation” (King).

• It shows that he is familiar with history and well read by quoting it which adds value to his character.

• It builds his credibility by showing he knows his history, he’s educated.

• It's an allusion to a famous person.

• Dr. king borrowed this from the Emancipation Proclamation.

Select two which explain why this is logos: “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead…We cannot be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their adulthood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating 'For Whites Only"' (King).

• The fact is that they must march ahead.

• This sign was factual. It was a real law that existed in the 1960's.

• People must take the pledge which is a fact.

• The black community cannot be satisfied until they receive equal treatment.

Choose multiple answers to explain why this is pathos: “And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream” (King).

• He is creating empathy by dreaming/hoping, etc., wanting to join together to have that dream.

• He is creating fraternity in mentioning that he wants to be part of the American dream which should involve all American people.

• He is creating empathy by mentioning how his dream has roots.

• He is drawing on emotions from the audience to understand “difficulties we face” to dreaming/hoping, etc., wanting to join together to have that dream.

Choose two to explain why this is mythos: “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope… this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning…” (King).

• He mentions faith, which connects to God and religion which a shared belief.

• He is using a metaphor to describe the "despair" and "hope" he (and the black community) has felt.

• He mentions children which is supposed to elicit emotion from the audience.

• He is using the shared elements/beliefs of a culture – the creation myth of God.

Choose multiple answers to explain how this is ethos: "When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" (King).

• The Founding Fathers of this country wanted equality for all.

• Americans feel like it is a moral duty to uphold these rules.

• Historically, people like to break old rules to create new ones, as society progresses.

• The "unalienable rights" are not being followed and do not include the promise to all people.

Which appeal does this quote use? "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 of their character" (king).

• mythos

• pathos

• logos

• ethos

Which appeal does this quote use? "I have a dream that one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers" (King).

• mythos

• logos

• pathos

• ethos

Choose two to answer: Who is King's audience?

• people who supported civil rights

• his congregation

• The president

• the people wanting to create equality

Choose two to explain King's purpose.

• To bring awareness to racial inequality

• To gain equal rights for ALL people

• To explain that there are laws for segregation

• To show that the bank of justice is bankrupt

Check all that apply: Who is the speaker/author?

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

• A man who is biased toward the subject because he has experienced it first-hand.

• An educated preacher who was a Dr. of theology and very well spoken.

• A peace-seeking black man who has lived the experiences of racial inequality and desires equality.