Rhetorical Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

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Style as I would describe it is the way an author expresses themselves through their writing; by using word choice, tone, and organization. Every author and writer have their own type of style making them unique in a sense. The “Letter From Birmingham Jail” is a distinguished example. The letter was written by Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King J.r. while in solitary confinement. He addresses this letter to eight clergymen. This letter was of mass contribution in helping with the civil rights movement in America. Dr. King uses a great deal of references some biblical some iconic to really bring his point across. All throughout the letter Dr. King’s tone is passionate, respectful yet sarcastic in a way. Dr. King’s tone as he begins …show more content…

Dr. King has some aggressive attacks/criticism throughout the letter, yet the tone remains polite and creates a friendly and ironic tone. Martin Luther King has a way about his writing that invites us to interpret what he is feeling. As one reads this letter we find ourself painting a picture in our head and almost placing ourselves in his shoes. He had the gift of portraying situations in vivid structure. For example in paragraph 14 he paints a picture about a six year old girl who can't go to the amusement park because it’s closed to colored children. Dr. King uses pathos in this paragraph and throughout his letter as well as ethos and logos. King’s tone changes from the ethos reasoning to a vigorous pathos of all the pain African American suffered. Likewise, in paragraph 14 his intended audience; the clergymen, to some extent, has them trapped by the dazzling use of semicolons. The long sentences leave no room for us to pause or to reflect. Dr. King illustrates in agonizing detail through the suffering of not only African American children but the community as a …show more content…

Bordo begins the essay displaying a number of ads from Calvin Klein. The picture with the butcheeks was a little too much for my taste however, the pictures do add a better understanding to what she is talking about. Bordo presents a clear outlook on male objectification. Bordo states that men don’t know how to dress themselves. She goes on to say that they need a “woman's touch” or opinion to decide. I personally like to dress nice and get “stylish” haircuts. I'm not what Bordo would’ve considered a “Dockers” or “Hagar” men. Guys nowadays are becoming more equal to women in the sense of fashion. It’s no where near 100% in equalness. In today’s society, where all the top fashion-designers actually are men. Times have changed, and folks are accepting how men are dressing themselves. Both king and Bordo wrote their texts addressing their specific audiences. King wrote to the Clergymen in the form of a conversation that he wanted to connect with his readers. Hence he included elements of pathos to create a closer connection with with. He included ethos to create his image for the clergymen. He also included a lot of authorities, those for and against justice. Bordo on the other hand is addressing an audience that is interested in "The Male