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Rhetorical Strategies In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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In a Birmingham, Alabama jail, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. wrote an open letter to a group of white southern clergymen during his incarceration in April 1963. A peaceful protest against segregation resulted in King's arrest. King recognized the clergy's concern about violence as a consequence of protests, even if the fear was only for their race. To address the clergy, King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," applies the rhetorical strategy of ethos as a fellow reverend and activist with an honorable reputation to achieve his purpose of ending segregation. In addition, King uses comparison and contrast to defend his methods against religious criticism. Similarly, the comparison and contrast approach will apply to an upcoming portfolio project about the Equal …show more content…

Having served as a minister, King deeply understood Christianity, which he used to address the white clergy in his open letter. King aimed to highlight the immorality of discrimination, especially to those in powerful or religious positions who could bring about change. Further, these individuals should be aware of the unjust and unchristian nature of allowing such bigotries. It did not matter to King whether others ignored or condoned the situation. Social change was necessary to eradicate racial injustices, and King’s mission was to convey that change. Rhetorical Strategy Throughout King's letter, he uses an ethos rhetorical style to refer to the ethical aspects of the situation. The concept of ethos refers to the author's credibility in the subject matter. King was confident that with his knowledge and reputation, he could deliver a persuasive argument to those in authority to end segregation. King emphasized that discrimination harmed many citizens, especially African Americans. In the absence of other options, King became more visible and vocal in his protests in a non-violent manner. (p.2). Strategy Applied in the

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a minister, spokesperson, activist, and civil rights leader, wrote “Letter From Birmingham Jail” specifically to the eight clergymen who addressed his unlawful acts, but the message is also intended for Christians and the people of the whole nation. Martin Luther King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail uses parallelism to emphasize the extent that discriminatory actions happened in Birmingham and in the U.S, allusion to justify his actions, and antithesis to contrast two ideas and eventually persuade the clergymen and all others that nonviolent protest will help end racial segregation. He also uses the rhetoric to defend his actions. Dr. King uses a list of rhetorical devices in his letter. One device that stood

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In this letter by Martin Luther King Jr., he wants to explain to the eight clergymen why he has been jailed. He wants to show them that what he was doing was necessary. The clergymen were confused and upset about his image and wrote a statement explaining their own views. After reading this statement, King wanted to have these men completely educated on the matter. King does this by persuading his audience, using various rhetorical devices.

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In paragraphs 33 to 44 of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s response to “A Call for Unity,” a declaration by eight clergymen, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (1963), he expresses that despite his love for the church, he is disappointed with its lack of action regarding the Civil Rights Movement. Through powerful, emotionally-loaded diction, syntax, and figurative language, King adopts a disheartened tone later shifts into a determined tone in order to express and reflect on his disappointment with the church’s inaction and his goals for the future. King begins this section by bluntly stating that he is “greatly disappointed” (33) with the church, though he “will remain true to it as long as the cord of life shall lengthen” (33). By appealing to ethos and informing the audience of his history with the church, he indicates that he is not criticizing the church for his own sake, but for the good of the church.

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Throughout the essay “ Letter From Birmingham Jail. ''King gives the message to the people to have a moral obligation to violate unfair laws and to take immediate action as opposed to perhaps waiting an eternity for justice and racism to be served. King is telling his fellow black community to stand up and face these unfair actions that are being set for his people and to address the racism that is taking place. King uses two rhetorical strategies to convey his message to his audience. The first strategy king uses is the mode of argument to convey his message to his audience, he also uses the second strategy he uses repetition and parallelism.

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On April 16th 1963, while in jail in Birmingham, Martin Luther King Jr. writes a letter to the clergymen responding to their criticism of his actions. The clergymen of Birmingham were criticizing Dr. King for leading peaceful protests against Jim Crow laws. Throughout the letter, Marin Luther King Jr. responds to a newspaper article, argues for change, justifies his action, and answers the statement that activities are "unwise and untimely". While writing his letter, Dr. King uses rhetorical devices and appeals to develop his argument that he is not an outsider, and that change is needed for things to become better.

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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.

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While in jail, Martin Luther King wrote "Letter from Birmingham Jail." confronting criticism written by the clergymen. The clergymen were telling King not to protest; furthermore King led a protest and was put in jail because he did not have a permit. The clergyman said that he was "unwise and untimely." While writing his letter, Martin Luther King used rhetorical devices to develop his argument.

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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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