MLK?

Rhetorical Analysis Draft

Intro

To study the reality, we study truth. This is the basic concept of history. To learn and analyze what happened in the past, which was reality, we study truth, the facts and data that we have today. However, only when the entire truth has been looked at, only then can the history studied be presented as reality. In the website http://martinlutherking.org, it states that this website gives the audience “A True Historical Examination” of Martin Luther King Jr. This technique is an example of the connotations that comes with precise choice of wording. The word ‘True’ from the website heading says that the website is true and therefore a good reference for whatever the audience needs. But, that quote implies that all other resources, books, historical literature and other websites as well must be false. To explain further, if martinlutherking.org’s statement is true, then all other sources must has the statement of “A False Historical Examination.” Therefore, as shown in the example above, through the use of literary and visual techniques, the writer manipulates the audience by presenting itself as a legitimate academic resource; which in turn meets the writers goal to try and reformulate the audiences’ past preconceptions of Martin Luther King Jr.

Image talk 1.

The visual techniques used in this website are basic yet informative of what the author is trying to do. The first thing one notices is the picture of Marin King Jr. in the center of the page. His picture, the icon of the Civil Right Movement, is positions so that when the targeted audience first comes into the page, they see his face. This will automatically give a positive feeling on the website since it will focus on Martin King. Another visual technique is the use of formality by the repetition of content. Shown through the use of the links which have titles and subtitles like, “The King Holiday: Bring the Dream to Life.” This heading again causes the audience to think positively of this website as an informative, therefore, factual website, before looking at any content. The formality of the website is also shown by the lack of designs on the page. It is filled with words rather than pictures or a glamorous background. This again, gives it a formal look and establishes its credibility.

Image talk 2

http://martinlutherking.org/images/king4.jpg

As one looks at the content of the website, there are many links that the audience can choose. They can choose to click on things like, “Civil Rights Library” or “Historical Writings.” This technique of choosing gives the user a nonlinear feel, or the ability for the audience to pick and choose what they want to learn. Which in turn has the gives a positive emotional effect on the reader in which they are not forced to learn any of the content, rather they are choosing to learn what they want. This again gives the author of the page authority and credibility in what they will have to say when the user clicks on the link. Also, at a first look it seems as though there is a lack of a author or heading of the group that created this site. Which also focuses the audience’s view on the content rather than who made the website. But looking to the bottom of the page, this is where the author places the sponsor of the website. Stormfront. This group is a white supremacist group. Seemingly like an informative site, as stated before, Stormfront, uses its website address and its relatively specific subtitles to give it more credibility. By not giving away its political position straightaway by locating the sponsors logo link at away from the main sections of the website.

Lit talk 1.

After the website image has established its credibility though the use of its focus picture and alignment of information, the author uses an array of different literary techniques to imform or persuade the audience to accept the given information. Since this website is written by a white supremacist, it is rational to say that the information will be skewed in one direction. And as seen in the content, the author, rather than disputing the assumed knowledge the reader has, gives new evidence and attempts to prove it. If a audience member clicks on the link “The Death of Dream: The Day King Was Shot” they will read about the day before and the night he was shot. Then it gives evidence quoted in Newsweek magazine,

There FBI bugs reportedly picked up 14 hours of party chatter, the clinking of glasses and the sounds of illicit sex--including King's cries of "I'm f--ing for God" and "I'm not a Negro tonight!”

This shocking evidence that author has quoted is revealing and probably new to the audience. But even though it looks to be quoted, the author does not give a credible reference or link to where the audience can find this article. Also, it claims to quote out of "And the walls came tumbling down," by Rev. Ralph Abernathy, but it again does quote a age number or direct reference. This use of the technique of narrowing the facts again proves that the author is trying to manipulate the audience by focusing on the negatives, attempting to change the audience preconceptions of Martin King.

Lit 2.

***Association of King to Communism***

***King to plagiarism, use of proof***

Conc.

The intended audience is the unsuspecting public. After reading what they have read, the website’s makers will have fulfilled their goals of putting questions about Martin Luther King in people’s minds. From the advertisement at the bottom of the page, it seems that the website has not been updated for half a year, but going to its sponsor’s website, it is a forum for the White Supremacist group, where individuals post daily. After the writer has established his credibility and allowed the audience to like the site due to its free use, the audience will then look at the content. Even if the audience is revolted and closes the website after reading a small amount, the author and the website has accomplished it goal. That is, to place questions into the audience’s mind of what they thought they knew about King.