Rhetorical Strategies In Letter From Birmingham Jail

The 1960s was a time when skin color was crucial, hate was inevitable, and where actions and words were uniform. Although accused of being an outsider, Martin Luther King Jr. was able to demonstrate his strengths and powerful influence even while confined in the walls of the Birmingham jail. The racial issues were addressed through his compelling and impassioned letter in reply to the eight prominent Alabama clergymen. Even during a time of racial injustice, King was able to establish many rhetorical strategies throughout his piece, specifically throughout paragraphs 45-50. King demonstrated three essential aspects by establishing logos, utilizing diction, and syntax in order to portray the true message to the reader.
Dr. King was not a man

With that said, he was able to express all of those features through a logos appeal. He was able to place particular references, facts, and discus real people in order to support his argument. When King quoted T.S. Elliot in his letter in paragraph 45, “The last temptation is the greatest reason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason.”, he allowed for the quote to speak for itself without any explanation. Dr. King quoted this man in order to signify that if people don’t unite and all do what is right, we will all fall. Also, he had many biblical references specially to Judaeo-Christian, God, and refers to people as his “christian brothers.” MLK never tries to come across as arrogant or above anyone else. However, he purposely used these factual and biblical references, as well as quotes from inspiring people, in order for the audience to gain intense faith in King and force them to truly believe in him. He used this tactic in order to prove his message of how a bar for social justice and equality is possible and has been set for the people to reach. In addition to establishing the logos appeal within Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter, he also conveyed brilliant diction through his use of repetition, passionate word choice, and vivid imagery. For example, he used repetition

He was so powerful with his the arrangement of word without any hateful names or being rude. For example, quoted in paragraph 45 King states, “I cannot join you in your praise of the Birmingham police department.” The reader takes away the reasoning that his words were firm, rather hostile and something world ripping up or throwing away. He was never attacking with his words and puts intense effort into making sure that he said everything the right way so that it does not come off hateful, or resentful. With this is mind, the peaceful and tranquil tone can be discovered through his syntax. King was also able to express impressive grammar with constant semicolons and commas in order to support his syntax. For example, he states in paragraph 47, “There will be the young high school and college students, the young ministers of the gospel and a host of their elders, courageously and nonviolently sitting in at lunch counters and willingly going to jail for a conscience’ sake.” The grammar that King applied to his statement made the sentences appear longer but they are not so complex that they are difficult to understand for the reader. The reader comprehends a stronger meaning from the sentence with more explanation and more reasoning. This then connects to the ethos appeal by unmasking his credibility with such exceptional grammar and writing.