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Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

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Martin Luther King Jr. was an American baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement in 1954. He had a great impact on race relations in the U.S. and he made a great impact on many lives. He died in 1968. Dr. King wrote 2 famous works, “Dream” and “Birmingham” and each had a different audience and purpose. Both works utilizes the persuasive techniques of pathos in “Dream” and logos in “Birmingham.” Both of the works had a powerful message that brought faith to many. Dr. King brought people up and gave them hope that one day everything will be taken care of and we 'll all be happy, he said that one day we 'll have peace and love among each other. He said that one day we won 't have to worry about our skin color and segregation and that we 'll all come together as one. The main topic from “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. …show more content…

was sent to jail, following that he should express his feelings and he decided to write a letter. He used his opportunity to bring everyone up and fight writing about segregation, racism, law, truth and justice. He reminded us that we need to end segregation because everyone deserves the same happiness. In Martin Luther 's letter he uses logos to demonstrate his ability to inspire his fellow Civil Rights Activist, show empathy in the heart of white people and create compassion in the minds of the clergymen. Dr. King says “Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” Dr King also says “All too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained-glass

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Civil rights activist, Martin Luther king Jr., in “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, responds to the clergymen who criticized his work and ideas. King’s purpose is to achieve an understanding for the desire of freedom. He expresses a confident tone in order to appeal to similar feelings the clergymen may have when he talks about freedom to help bond brotherhood. Throughout the beginning of the text, King explains why he is in Birmingham and because now is the time to take action, therefore he uses formal language to create a familiar or colloquial diction.

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Dr. King successfully makes use of several rhetorical devices throughout this letter, none being more prevalent than that of logos. Dr. King’s arguments are exceedingly logical in their appeal. He clarifies all of the points for his arguments as well as providing supporting details for them as well. For example, in the beginning of his letter, Dr. King offers a direct response to the clergymen’s critical claims that these protest were “unwise” as well as “untimely”(Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1) .Throughout

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In the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr., he explains to the eight clergy men, whom had previously criticized him, and to the rest of America about why he is in Birmingham. King wrote this letter to persuade and answer the criticism of why his present activities were NOT “unwise and untimely.” While writing this, King uses the three Aristotelian Appeals: ethos, pathos, and logos to fully explain his points. Throughout the second paragraph, Martin Luther King began to build his credibility.

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Prompt: How did Martin Luther King, Jr. craft his language in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to motivate the clergymen to join the fight for equal rights? Martin Luther King Jr. crafted his language using differing rhetorical appeals in order to vary the way he motivated his audience to join the fight for equal rights so America would no longer be separated half and half like it was during the civil war. In his letter from Birmingham jail Martin Luther King Jr. crafted his logical language via the use of counterarguments and the way he refuted them. In paragraph six King mentioned the four steps to a nonviolent campaign.

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Seth Marshall Messersmith Comp 2 3/21/16 MLK Martin Luther King wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail’ in 1963 while African Americans where fighting with the whites for equality. He was one of the most influential civil rights leader ever in America. He was also an American Baptist minister that had very strong Christian beliefs. What he was best known for is his acts with using nonviolent disobedience actions to lead his civil right movement due to his beliefs.

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When mainly anyone thinks of the word “extreme” you will probably have a negative image or thought. Extreme is thought to be daring or rebellious maybe, but extreme can mean many different things, some of which are a good thing. Extremism is a big point in Martin Luther King Junior’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” in some of his last few paragraphs. King uses different historical evidence and rhetorical strategies to appeal to his audience in different ways. It is good to use all these different strategies and devices because it gives King an advantage to appeal to his audience in different ways and persuade them in his writings.

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Segregationist, Martin Luther King, Jr., in his letter “Letter from Birmingham Jail” emphasizes the need for integration and racial equality. After reading text written by clergymen, King felt the responsibility to explain his cause. He adapts a diplomatic tone in order to convince society to integrate and end racial injustice. King begins his letter by introducing the reason for being in Birmingham.

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A "Letter from the Birmingham Jail" (1963), by Martin Luther King Jr. was written in response to a letter published by Alabama clerics. This time he will respond with all his heart to this cynical oppression. In the course of the letter King makes extensive allusions to multiple philosophers, including Aquinas and Socrates. King's work has only one objective: the protection of civil disobedience as a form of protest that the Civil Rights Movement could continue in an unencumbered way despite this singularity of purpose, the complexity of the situation meant that it was "A Call for Unity" published by the eight clergymen. Immoral and immoral mentions drew the attention of the Minister through the letter, and were expressed by different points

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While in solitary confinement for nearly 8 days, reverend and social justice activist, Martin Luther King Jr., wrote his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail in response to the criticism he received for his non-violent protests. Several clergy who negatively critiqued King’s approach of seeking justice, wrote A Call for Unity, arguing that his protests were senseless and improper. Within the article, the clergymen provide nine different critiques that asserted how King’s protest are invalid, uneffective, and simply unintelligent in the fight for obtaining justice and equity for individuals of color. His letter has become one of the most profound pieces of literature of the 20th century, as King uses vivid examples and eloquent rhetorical devices to counter all nine arguments.

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The Letter from Birmingham Jail and the I have a Dream Speech, both written by Martin Luther King Jr., explain the same message to people in two different ways. The Letter from Birmingham Jail was to write a letter to defend the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism. He wrote this because he wants African Americans to come together and peacefully protest the unjust laws that are in place. On the other hand, his speech was to a large group of citizens, black and white, fighting for freedom, equality, justice and love. He used many rhetorical devices in his speech and letter that compared the two, and to show the differences in a clear way.

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Martin Luther King, Jr want to expression

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and conveinence, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. “ , what Dr. King is saying is that that you dont really see the true actions and colors of man until troubled times come. throughout while he fought for no more slavery , he did not fight with his hands or weapons in fact,

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Martin Luther King Jr., one of the greatest speakers for black civil rights movement, had written many great works in his time. Two of his pieces stand out as his greatest works. Letter from Birmingham Jail; a pieces written from a jail cell in birmingham where he was arrested for peacefully protesting, the letter was attended to the white clergymen who didn 't agree with his views and I Have a Dream Speech; was a speech king gave in front of the washington memorial. Both works convey similarities and differences in their tone, structure, appeal and figurative language. There are many similarities between “I Have a Dream” and the letter from birmingham jail.

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In “A Letter From A Birmingham Jail” Martin Luther King Jr defends his use of nonviolent protest in order to accomplish racial equality. In the letter, Dr. King uses ethos, diction, and allusions when defending nonviolent protest which makes his argument really strong. His goal is to make the clergymen help him fight racial equality. He uses ethos to build up credibility.

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Martin Luther King Jr. was an important figure in gaining civil rights throughout the 1960’s and he’s very deserving of that title as seen in both his “I Have a Dream” speech and his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” letter. In both of these writings Dr. King uses logos - logical persuasion - and pathos - emotional appeal - to change the opinions of people who were for segregation and against civil rights. Although King was arrested for a nonviolent protest, he still found a way to justify his actions with the use of logos and pathos. MLK uses both ways to gain the attention and agreement of the audience but, he uses pathos not just more, but in a more relatable way in order to appeal to his audience.

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