Question

Read Diego’s introduction to his rhetorical analysis essay.

A man looks out at a million intense faces. They have traveled from far and wide to hear his words. They have come with family and friends and now unite with strangers converging on the green. The swelling crowd is silent as he begins to speak. As his words ring out across the National Mall, hearts swell and tears begin to fall. It is a new era in history. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream” speech sends a mighty message that is particularly effective due to its use of analogy, anaphora, and parallelism.

Which change would most improve his introduction?

adding an effective hook at the end to make sure the audience is engaged
adding historical information to provide more background
adding a clear thesis statement to underscore the ideas presented
adding rhetorical questions to emphasize the claim that King’s message is powerful

Answer 1

adding historical information to provide more background

Reason: Diego already has vivid imagery and a clear thesis naming the rhetorical devices. The intro would be stronger if it briefly situates the speech (e.g., the March on Washington, date, purpose), giving readers necessary context before the analysis.