John Steinbeck and Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK ​​Jr.) have both entered American literature as some of the most influential authors, but why? Steinbeck was an influential author throughout the 20th century with works in many genres. On the other side is Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights leader in the fight against racial discrimination. To more fully understand the style of these two authors, it is necessary to compare them on the basis of repetition, tone, and purpose. In his essay “Is the American Dream Possible?”, Steinbeck used repetition for the sole purpose of emphasizing that America is, and always will be, one. As a people, we are similar in the general paradoxical themes for which he then set the scene with “One of the most often noted generalities about Americans is that we are a restless, dissatisfied people, a searching people” (Steinbeck Page 1). Each generality that follows builds on the previous one or nullifies what has already been said. One after another he used "we" to start his sentences, not only drawing the audience in, but also making them feel the pride and shame associated with each idea, which he proceeded to list. Whether true or not, simply by the use of force, he has led the public to feel a sense of inclusion in ridiculous notions about our nation. Martin Luther King, Jr. achieved something similar in his “I Have A Dream” speech; however using the repetition of different words and phrases. Although his audience was clearly the African American population of America, MLK Jr. was able to use such repetition to make every reader feel as if they were alongside him in the fight for freedom. In paragraph 13, MLK Jr. repeated the… middle of paper… Jr. relented and said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live the true meaning of it I believe: 'We hold these truths be evident, that all men are created equal.'” Although John Steinbeck and Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote on essentially different topics, both used similar methods to implant themselves in their readers' brains of repetition of hammering an idea into human consciousness. Steinbeck repeated the beginning of his sentences and emphasized his point. Furthermore, the tone used by each of the authors affected how the audience received those points. Ultimately, by manipulating repetition and tone, they were able to accomplish their individual goals in much the same way.