A Comparative Critical Discourse Analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ and Barack Obama’s ‘Yes We Can’ Using Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional Model

Abstract

This study compares Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech and Barack Obama’s Yes We Can speech using Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional Model of Critical Discourse Analysis. The aim is to examine how language is used to express ideology, persuade audiences, and promote social change. A qualitative comparative research design was adopted, and the official transcripts of the two speeches were analyzed through three levels: textual analysis, discursive practice, and social practice. The findings show that both speakers use repetition, inclusive pronouns, and emotionally powerful vocabulary to create a sense of unity and inspire their audiences. However, the two speeches differ in their main focus. King’s speech emphasizes civil rights, justice, and equality, while Obama’s speech highlights political participation, hope, and national unity. The analysis also demonstrates that the historical and social contexts of each speech strongly influence their messages and persuasive strategies. Overall, the study confirms that political discourse is a powerful tool for shaping public opinion, constructing ideology, and encouraging social transformation. It also shows the value of Fairclough’s model in understanding the relationship between language, power, and society.