Summary: Despite the fact that the two articles have the same theme of “rhetorical situation,” these two authors have completely different point of views on the relationship between rhetorical and situation. In “The Rhetorical Situation,” Lloyd Bitzer starts the article by asking a “confusing” question–what is a rhetorical situation? In order to explain his question, he puts it in another way by referring rhetorical situation to “the nature of those contexts in which speakers or writers create rhetorical discourse” (1).
In Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, he uses pathos and rhetorical questions to appeal towards the readers. Pathos is showed in King’s letter when he says, “Too long has out beloved southland been bogged down in the tragic attempt to live in monologue rather than dialogue.” (7) This quote supports pathos because King is saying we should be living in a world of dialogue not monologue, also he talks about his beloved southland. This makes the readers have sympathy for the tragic issue. Rhetorical is used to appeal towards the readers in Kings letter when he states the question, “But can this assertion be logically made?”
Throughout the text, King presents an incredibly valid argument. He addressed the questions and concerns of the clergy, shutting the validity of their “concerns” down. It seemed like he always knew what his audience would be asking. One example of this is how he goes into why he believes it is morally justifiable to peacefully and willingly disobey the law. Dr. King knew his audience and understood how to most effectively convey his message to that audience.
How he wrote his argument and how well. Analyze his use of ethos/emotion Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written during 1963, when African Americans were fighting for black and white equality. We can see this by the vocabulary that he uses, like “Negro”, which was used around that time period and no longer used anymore. We can also see this through the context of the letter; that King wants freedom for African Americans.
On April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the “Letter from Birmingham City Jail.” This letter was intended to be a response to the eight clergymen of Alabama, who wrote a response concerning King, and the racial issues going on in Birmingham. The response of the eight clergymen was a way to criticize King and the Negro community for basically taking action. Referring to King’s efforts as “unwise and untimely.” Meaning, that it was not a convenient time to start protesting around town and getting attention.
Compelling Craft The craft of using words to create a mood or an atmosphere takes great skill to make an audience understand and feel the cause a writer is fighting for. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights activist from the 1950’s to the 1960’s, wrote Letter from Birmingham Jail. In his letter he made a compelling argument to a group of clergymen, who questioned his quest. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his compelling argument using pathos, ethos, and Kairos by utilizing personal experiences, expressing a moral obligation to help, and his timely involvement for direct action.
In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, King uses multiple devices of persuasive rhetoric in order to fight injustice. King, a reverend, was a large advocate for civil rights in midst of the great movement calling for equality among all men and women. His letter is widely renowned for King’s proclamation that “in any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of facts to determine whether injustice exists, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action” (par. 6). His usage of tone and carefully placed anaphora aid King in this persuasive essay by further providing insight and evidence that support King’s four points. From Critical Thinking to Argument defines tone as “attitude towards self, topic, and
“We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights”(17). Dr.King explains why African Americans have the right to be impatient. He wants his white readers to understand why being given equal rights is such a important matter. The writer,a civil rights leader and pastor, is Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.
Literacy Narrative “Nothing is said of the silence that comes to separate the boy from his parents” (Rodriguez 69”). Silence. Silence is powerful. Silence, in a dramatic movie to make someone sit on the edge of their seat wondering what is about to happen. Silence, at a funeral of a loved one to grieve for the loss.
Martin Luther King Jr the civil rights activist is known for his superb speeches,the most known being the “I have a dream” speech, but his nobel prize acceptance speech is no exception. On October 14th 1964, Dr.king was awarded the Nobel prize for his work in the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s,which were a time of great racism and and segregation in America In his speech he uses great diction to convey a tone of determination. An example of this tone is shown when Dr.King says “...This same road has opened for all Americans a new era of progress and hope.
Prabesh Kumar Basnet Dr. May 13 Dec. 2016 Silence Martin Luther King, Jr. said that “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy during this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.” I agree with the statement. From the terror in French revolution caused by Max Robespierre, to the trio of Hitler, Mussolini and Hiromito’s causing a world war, to Edward Snowden’s disclosure of National-Security Agency’s (NSA) files; there has always been a pattern when the people stay silent, bad and chaotic people rise in power. This means that the people who are silent and do nothing are the reason the world is a dangerous place to be.
2.4 Rhetorical Analysis In April of 1963, while incarcerated in Birmingham City jail, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote an influential letter defending his anti-segregation protests. King had been arrested while participating in a peaceful anti-segregation march, although several local religious groups counted on King for support. Since King’s arrest, he had time to think deeply about the situation; therefore, he decides to reply back to the Alabama clergymen. Who had criticize Martin Luther King because he was simply doing something that was right and violence was not needed for King.
Shortly afterwards he was both criticized and applauded for his actions in the protest. During this time, King decided to write a letter to address those who questioned his actions. In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King effectively used the rhetorical strategy of describing to achieve his purpose of defending his reason for protesting, a model that can be applied to the upcoming portfolio project. Rhetorical Strategy In his letter, King uses several rhetorical strategies, however one that stood out to me if the strategy of describing.
Language is the most powerful tool of communication in this world, with language we are able to create change. For instance Martin Luther King Jr is a man who created peace against racial oppression with he delivered his speech because of it he received a Nobel Prize. In his “I have a dream” speech, his words were inspirational when he spoke about equality. He said, “ Now is the time to make real promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.”
Umer Tariq Bashir Mariam Ishtiaq Writing and Communication ss-100 16 November 2015 Martin Luther King speech:Critique Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I have a dream” is an inspiring elocution which induces people of all the communities. It tries to elevate the status of the Afro-American community and urges all people to strive for the attainment of an indiscriminate society. Martin Luther King is an eloquent speaker who has the ability to captivate an audience with his charismatic and persuasive speech.
