A Letter From A Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

King shows Ethos in his letter by writing back to the clergy men who had objections against King’s protest in Birmingham. They basically called him an outsider but by establishing his credibility, King shows that he is in fact an

He never jumps from one to another topic without explaining completely. Even though during the opening of the essay Forsgren seems like throwing Speer’s name out of nowhere, but as fast as he could, he follows it with a narrative and explanation of who Speer is. Forsgren don’t always literally describes, instead he puts on story and expert testimony to strengthen what he is saying. Since his audience seems to be the “general educated” population, his purpose of writing this essay could be easily fulfilled or succeeded. His goal of writing is to give people a realization that even during the worst time, mankind should still have their conscience and humanity.

It has encouraged people in different countries to follow the non-violent path like Dr. King. In Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” he successfully communicated his message by expressing his thoughts and emotions in a soft and gentle tone. One can clearly see that Dr. King is trying his best to make the letter sound as pleasing as possible when he writes “I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms (King, 1963).” The Author came across warm and friendly throughout the letter because he wanted to avoid any problems with the white people.

Dr. King also included definitions and examples of unjust and just laws, and how they are not right. He included an example of these “laws” by talking about the things Adolf Hitler did was allowed but supposedly helping someone was not allowed. He writes and uses the letter to show the white Americans that are unaware of what is happening around them. Even, though Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is best remembered for his powerful voice and pathos in this letter is a thoughtful logical argument. Rhetorical Situations: Writer:

Aristotle is known for his creation of the analysis of rhetoric through ethos, pathos, and logos. I believe that in paragraph twenty-two the “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King builds ethos from and his cause amongst his readers. He does so by using examples from history. According to Aristotle ethos is the credibility of the speaker and there are things that can aid in building ethos:” good sense, goodwill, and good moral character (Rhet., pg. 60).”

Because of his skill in creating such pieces of writing, as well as his influential role within the Civil Rights Movement, and the reminder that Letter from Birmingham Jail provides of these trying times, his letter should continue to be included within A World of Ideas. Persuasion within writing is an important tool to be utilized in order to garner support for one’s position. During the 1960s, equality between different races was a very controversial issue which required a certain finesse when being discussed. Martin Luther King demonstrated precisely this sort of finesse when writing about the racial injustices faced by black Americans, as well as when refuting the criticisms he faced from white clergymen.

King gives plenty of historical references and back-ups throughout his cogent writing. When he asks the clergymen “why direct action?”, he responds by claiming that nonviolent direct action fosters tension that a community has been negligent to resolve. He also relates his call to direct action mentioning his personal ideals of how nonviolence tension is alright because it nurtures growth. Then Dr. King follows his personal relation with Socrates (para. 10) Dr. King possesses a unique argumentative style because he is intuitive.

Even though he knew if he got caught for the things he was doing, he still took the risk because his choice to learn and invent was up to him and only him. He came forward with his invention because he thought he would make it in with the scholars. Equality didn’t have to come forward with it but he did, it was his choice. He also chose to break the rules.

LFBJ Martin Luther King (MLK) uses Pathos to persuade his readers and uses rhetorical questions. MLK appeals to his audience when he states, “ In justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (King 6) MLK. MLK used pathos here to link with the reader’s emotions. It makes the audience think about justice vs. injustice.

However, his moral courage did not let him change his mind despite his reputation suffering a massive blow in the society. He believed that standing for his morals and what he thought was right regardless of what the entire community was thinking about him. From the start, he already knows that he cannot win the case, but his strong sense of justice and morality is what motivates him to defend Tom in the case with much determination and to give all that he had for the case. He goes ahead to express that it is not because they have been defeated hundred years before they started that they have a reason to they have a reason to try again and win. The author used the term “licked” in most of the expressions to imply defeated.

Tyler tries to express that idea to all of his fans. He doesn’t want people to feel bad about themselves so he makes sure to set a good example. Tyler Oakley is my hero because of all the positive things he’s done for people. I love the fact that he wants his fans to know that he really cares about them. He always reminds his viewers that they just need to think about the happy things in life.

This supports the answer because Jonas feels alone, and that no one knows what he does. If the community had empathy they could know how he is feeling and try to help him. Another example is on page 112, it

Malcolm X’s use of such radical ideas and solutions to the civil rights problems of his day, and MLK’s use of historical examples they captivate their audience and through logos and convince them of their views. Malcolm X completely shatters his listeners’ beliefs, using a roundabout form of rhetoric: he uses harsh language that seems to degrade his audience, while, at the same time, he increases their self-confidence subconsciously through their emotions and through logos builds in their minds the necessity to fight for equality. MLK uses analogies and enthymeme to relate to his audience the importance of equality in order to construct logos in the mind of his audience and convince them of the logic behind back equality. Through the use of appropriate elements of logos, MLK and Malcolm X appeal to logos to make an effective

He taught people that you don’t have to be hostile when you speak with someone. No one wants to work with someone who is always ready to rip someone’s head off. If you have zero self-control then you’re just like everyone else. You may not like Martin Luther King, but you will respect him, that’s a fact. He’s teaching people to react in love with the people that hate him.

The most effective rhetorical appeal used in the passage was logos and pathos. King used reasoning and experiences to try to persuade the clergymen or ministers, to bring unity and pacifism. In his applauding and jaw dropping letter, he writes from jail, to the ministers about his aspect on racism and segregation. Additionally, King uses allusion to refer to unconventional events in the past, that support his work. For example, in the letter he speaks of Apollo Paul.