Linguist says King 's speech was on seventh- or eighth - grade level . That 's lower than King , Obama speeches . `` Almost like a drumbeat hammering into people 's minds and hearts . '' Speech was optimistic and forward - looking , expert says . Lack of 9/11 context was significant difference in tone , expert says .
Linguist says King 's speech was on seventh- or eighth - grade level . That 's lower than King , Obama speeches . Speech was optimistic and forward - looking , expert says . Lack of 9/11 context was significant difference in tone , expert says .