These are the hard, brutal facts of the case (King 274). Each one of the arguments put onward by the clergymen MLK put down and refuted with facts that were undeniable. 270 students ordered this very topic and got Who can say that the legislature of Alabama which set up that states segregation laws was democratically elected (King 277)? We have some eighty-five affiliated organizations across the south, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (King 273). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/rhetorical-analysis-of-the-letter-of-birmingham-jail/. March 23, 2023. Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity (King 279). Kimberly Bautista. Logically, the clergy could not refute the fact that there had been little to no change for the black community (members of their own community). Analogies are comparisons through which the writer uses one event or person to describe another, creating associations for the readers. King also uses serious logical arguments throughout his letter as well, his letter states the facts of the situation going on in front of them in a way the clergymen failed to do. He is a reverend from the south and it is his business to advocate against segregation. Ethos Convinces the audience that the speaker will be worth listening to and is a credible source. King also squeezed in a couple uplifting pathos reminding us of the beautiful opportunitys that await them. King made use of ethos, pathos, and logos in his letter; three powerful rhetorical devices that make various appeals to the target audience. King had to use his platform to set it straight as there were only newspapers at the time to capture the major brutalitys if they were lucky. Not only did he bring those injustices forward, but his letter was the stepping stone for the civil rights movement of the 1960s, as justice was finally approaching. You can order an original essay written according to your instructions. Therefore, tugging at the heartstrings was an extremely powerful way to send a message. After Martin Luther King looked over the clergymens unjust propositions he efficiently constructed his counter argument as he directly started his letter my dear fellow clergymen. This aspect of Kings argument actually forced them to evaluate the facts and state of the issue. Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements. King kept a serious but sincere voice getting straight to the point, but also persuading his audience. He then addresses the clergymens anxiety over their willingness to break laws. Some may say Martian Luther King could persuade anyone and anything, by the choice of his words and how he made them flow together. Only members can read the full content. MLK wonders about the churches and why theyre not trying to help the black community in their struggle and support their movement, as Christians use to have moral and ethical power. Additionally, King uses rhetorical questions to describe how activists think and make readers understand the logic behind the protests: we repeatedly asked o. 273284.. He Compares his fight for freedom with the Apostle Paul and the prophets fight for the gospel of Jesus Christ. After reading "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", ask your students to do a scavenger hunt using the storyboard creator. He explained how black Americans have waited over 300 years to acquire basic constitutional rights. The prejudices of the white moderate who say they agree with the goal they seek of freedom but cannot agree with their methods of direct actions. The letter of Birmingham Jail was written by Martin Luther King on April 16, 1963. This piece incorporated a multitude of different techniques, which King synthesized into an extremely advanced message for the white moderate. Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+! It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of chopping blocks rather than submit to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire (King 277). For example, Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy and transform our pending national elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. In another example, the writer associates himself with prophe. Quick action is typically a product of this appeal, which makes it the perfect secret weapon for Kings letter. The unfairness as they are seen as extremists, the activism of taking extreme measures, for their nonviolent direct-action protest just because they want the same freedom as whites. This letter is about ending indifference toward the subject of discrimination. Chat with professional writers to choose the paper writer that suits you best. The text shown above is just an extract. Not only does he describe the brutality given by the cops he also describes the injustices done by the people and the community. This is an appeal to the emotions of the reader. This essay is available online and might have been used by another student. As he refers to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego It was evidenced sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar, on the ground that a higher moral law was at stake. Who is the audience? He made the reader sympathize with what the black people were going through on a day to day basis. He says directly that he is not an outsider looking in. "Letter from Birmingham Jail": Examples of Rhetorical Devices 4.2 (5 reviews) logos Click the card to flip "We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights." Click the card to flip 1 / 32 Flashcards Learn Test Match Created by aedwards001 Teacher Terms in this set (32) logos King was in Birmingham Jail when he composed this response. When there are women and children involved, being brutalized seems a lot more brutal. I'm Amy, When the clergy said that Kings actions were untimely, he describes the urgency of the situation. The best example of this appeal is when King explains the urgency behind his cause. He was leading a peaceful protest that lead to his arrest for not having a permit. His famous Letter from Birmingham offered a detailed response to the white moderate of his time, rebutting their claims that the direct actions of Kings cause, were untimely and unwise. Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide. Perhaps the most effective rhetorical device that King uses is pathos. King plays to the fact that it does not make sense to tell him to obey the law when the law was broken for an unjust cause; a cause in which he is fighting against. Chat with professional writers to choose the paper writer that suits you best. The analogies are withSocrates, Jesus, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. (2021, Jun 07). His letter gives the philosophical foundations of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and does a good job by giving specific examples that appeal to logos, pathos, and ethos. He is also telling them this needs to be stopped and can be with the next generation. your personal assistant! As King is just following the path of his ministerial ancestors. Kings message would not be well received if he did not have his background. This puts it in perspective making it hard for the reader to refute. He backs up each of the clergymens arguments with logical evidence to his stand point on the topic. MLK wants to bring about a change to what the world sees of the Civil Rights movement. He does this by describing just and unjust laws from multiple different angles, in ways the reader could relate to. He used numerous examples of sad and heart aching pathos, he did it to get his point across, making the white moderates feel what it was like to live in the life of a colored person. King makes use of ethos in his writing, which is an appeal to ethics; this establishes a certain level of credibility for him. 2023 PapersOwl.com - All rights reserved. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Lastly, he argues that it doesnt matter how admirable the police are when they are maintaining the immoral end of racial injustice. Various rhetorical questions help the writer introduces new topics he addresses in reply to criticism from white clergymen: You may well ask: Why direct action? Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper. MLK wrote the Letter from Birmingham Jail in response to an essay written by white clergymen. Another example of this appeal is when King is arguing the paradoxical nature of breaking laws. In closing, he expresses his hope for a desegregated future of brotherhood and love. Pay the writer only for a finished, plagiarism-free essay that meets all your requirements. Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. King used many rhetorical devices in his writing, from repetition, allusion and imagery, all the way to ethos, logos, and pathos. For example, King mentions directly the prophets of the eighth century B.C. andthe Apostle Paul as religious examples that support the idea that Christians havea duty to promote justice wherever injustices are committed, and in this way, reject the criticism that his pres. Throughout his letter he brings forward the injustices of just vs. unjust laws used by the segregator and pushed upon the segregated. This eventually gave King a sense of appreciation and satisfaction during his letter because he was regarded as an extremist, just as the influential men that came before him. You can order an original essay written according to your instructions. King's primary rhetorical technique in "A Letter from Birmingham Jail," a characteristic of much of his writing, is the highly creative use of metaphorical language to make an abstract. In Kings letter, you will notice that the writer sometimes draws parallels between his actions as a civil rights activist and the actions of religious or historical figures whochanged society. King uses logos as a means to pick apart the flaws of the clergys concerns and show them just how warranted his actions are. King made use of ethos, pathos, and logos in his letter; three powerful rhetorical devices that make various appeals to the target audience. Make sure your essay is plagiarism-free or hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs. Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. (2021, Apr 23). MLK says I doubt that you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had seen its dogs sinking their teeth into unarmed, nonviolent Negroes (King 283). He said that he has watched his brothers and sisters be referred to as niggers and boys, be punched and kicked, lynched, burned, drowned, cursed, and brutalized. Even in closing, King says that his letter would have been much easier to compose, had he not been thrown in jail for peacefully protesting for the rights of people who he considers to be family. Martian Luther King was also good at incorporating strong pathos into his letter. All of these men went down in history as extraordinary individuals. These themes of injustice were the push for his plan of direct action as he states and supports each theme with clear and factual evidence. - Use specific language that is appropriate to the audience and topic (connect with audience) - Use correct grammar and syntax One of the statements made by the clergymen was that they warmly commended the Birmingham police for keeping order and preventing violence. Isn't negotiation a better path? ; Some have asked: Why didn't you give the new city administration time to act? ; One may well ask: How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others? . How? He went on to say that extremists in history have had a profound impact on many societies across the world. To get a custom and plagiarism-free essay. I'm Amy, While this fight had been raging for nearly 10 years, the release in 1963 was shortly followed by the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Hyperbole, alliteration tongue twisted Alliteration, Ethos (author's experience) speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six year old Pathos (children= innocence) see tears welling up in her eyes Diction, pathos, metaphor "ominous clouds of inferiority beginning to form in her little mental sky" Diction, Personal Attack n*gger, boy, John In Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King responds to the subjectivity of law and the issue he paramounts by using precise and impactful rhetoric from inside of his jail cell. He refutes each one of the clergymens statements, breaking it down and tearing it apart by intertwining the use of logos, pathos, and ethos. Martin Luther King then backs up his view of just and unjust laws with many political figures who set laws that were made to be broken for the rights of the people that faced injustices. Martin Luther Kings major claims in this letter are to bring forward the injustices that went on in Birmingham. The "letter of Birmingham Jail" was written by Martin Luther King on April 16, 1963. King does this by opening his letter with his accomplishments such as being the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) which had 85 affiliate organizations all over the south. Rhetorical Analysis of The Letter of Birmingham Jail, This example was written and submitted by a fellow student. For any subject. Rhetorical Analysis of The Letter of Birmingham Jail". Make sure your essay is plagiarism-free or hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs. This passage in the letter shows the clergymen the two different sides. He compares the social situation with an elegy and the potential future to a creative psalm; racial injustice to quicksand, and the ultimate goal as a solid rock. As Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister who was inspired to use non-violent means in the civil rights movement by religious philosophy, it comes as no surprise that his letter is full of religious references. He pulls on the audiences emotions making them more likely to side with himself rather than the clergy men. The anaphora If you were to is meant to inspire his readers to emp. Unlock effective presentation skills (tips and best practices) March 2, 2023. This, and his use of appeals made his letter all the more credible. Showing that even if he remained unbiased that the black community would have acted regardless, and that the nonviolent action could very well have turned violent without the help of his organization. But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim. (P. 429) This quote comes from King expressing just how serious and emotional this cause is for him and members of the black community. For any subject. King expressed a degree of disappointment at being considered an extremist when his actions were nonviolent. After stating the racial injustices that have been going on for too long he continues to logically reply to the question asked Why direct action? He continues these connections all throughout his letter to further justify his actions, stating if these large political figures have done it in the past to voice their opinion and be heard than whats any different than him doing the same. King organized the letter by stating each critique from the white moderate and then explaining why direct action was justified. The Letter of Birmingham Jail. Discovering Arguments: An, Introduction to Critical Thinking and Writing, with Readings, by Dean Memering and William Palmer, Prentice Hall, 2005, pp. This appeals to ethos as it validates kings quality educational background. An example of metaphor is when the writer associates destiny with a piece of clothing that can be put on and shared: We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of . Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and well deliver the highest-quality essay! Kings most memorable, most effective arguments were those that relied on taking a deep look at inner human emotion. He would simply be regarded as an unreliable activist. aimed at creating associations for the readers and to add further emphasis to the writers views. Not trying to fight or disrespect them as he refers to them as men of genuine good will and that your criticism is sincerely set forth (King 273), but still speaks strongly upon his side of the statements that were made. Martin Luther King first starts off his letter by using a strong ethos appeal, by establishing his credibility to the clergy men after they referenced him as an outsider coming in. He first addresses them by saying, My Dear Fellow Clergymen. By saying this MLK is considering him as one of them showing that he is no different and deserves the same respect as they would want to be given. He uses such intense words in this short sentence that really just leaves a picture in your mind. Martin Luther King also establishes ethos throughout his letter by outlining his own culture of religious ancestors and deliberating his own church leadership. Repetitions help the writer give structure to his arguments and highlight important aspects. A law is unjust if it is inflicted on a minority that, as a result of being denied the right to vote, had no part in enacting or devising the law. MLK doesnt take time to justify these two groups of their rights and wrongs, but rather backs them up with facts that result in their actions. However, establishing this credibility allows King to reach his target audience. King also uses a strong sense of logos when describing the two sides of the community one is a force of complacency, made up in part of negros who, as a result of long years of oppression, that have adjusted to segregation (King 279), and The other force is bitterness and hatred, and it comes perilously close to advocating violence (King 279). King uses this appeal so that the audience understands that he knows what he is talking about. One of these partnerships includes the esteemed Christian Movement for Human Rights. original papers. The eight clergy men called his present activity unwise and untimely and stated that racial matters should be properly pursued in the courts and not the streets. aimed at creating associations for the readers and to add further emphasis to the writer's views. King cites Amos, Jesus Christ, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Abraham Lincoln, and even Thomas Jefferson as examples of people who also had what were considered extremist views and practices. A graphic organizer of MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" identifying rhetorical devices and how the rhetorical device establishes ethos, pathos, and logos. Kings use of rhetorical appeal in the letter played an enormous role in the shift from a segregated America, to the kind of America that King dreamt it would become.. King started off by addressing the reason why he was in jail. This essay is available online and might have been used by another student. MLK also includes many metaphors in the letter to create that image in the readers mind and to make important arguments. Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper. His perspective was that of a disappointed, black man in America, who had been subjected to all sorts of racial discrimination and segregation through the span of his life. your personal assistant! Martin Luther King Jr. was a well known clergyman, turned affluent civil rights activists. In other words, King borrows from the ethos of these figures to gain credibility and legitimacy in front of his readers. 467 students ordered this very topic and got He was a man that is recognized all over as a leader for influencing the desegregation of the southern United States. Letter from Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis, This example was written and submitted by a fellow student. Hi! The time was now, they were done waiting for change instead they were going to make it happen on their own terms by creating tension that would force them to confront the issue. Logical Fallacies in Letter from Birmingham Jail, The Effects that World War i and World War II had on Minority Groups in America, The Causes of Hysteria from the Salem Witch Trials, Letter from Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis, Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr, North or South: who Killed Reconstruction, King, Martin Luther. The clergy expresses unease at Kings willingness to break laws with his nonviolent protests. The 1954 Supreme Court ruling that outlawed segregation in public schools was disobeyed. King cited several examples of how blacks have had to endure pain for much too long. He makes this statement to show he is not an outsider but presents himself as an insider, as he is the president of the conference.