A Letter From A Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

These terms are important in MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail because the foundation of the letter is built upon ideas of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. 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’s letter was very effective rhetorically. It makes people about how different it was for colored people back then.

He also gives the audience a better understanding by giving a visual glimpse of what the black community had to endure. 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.

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).” In paragraph twenty-two of King’s Letter he proves good sense by using examples of past situations similar to the one our country was in at that time.

This letter is a prime example of King’s expertise in constructing persuasive rhetoric that appealed to the masses at large. 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. He broke the rules so he could do what he wanted to do.

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. MLK also uses rhetorical devices to persuade the audience.

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.