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Rhetorical Devices Used In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written by Martin Luther King Jr. He wrote this as a reply to “A Letter from the Clergy” which was written by eight clergymen. This essay’s style is inspirational. “Let us all hope that dark clouds of racial prejudice…over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty” (King 500-501). King used an inspirational style to accomplish his goal, which was to focus on calling people to act and understand why he is doing nonviolent and peaceful protests than to criticize complacent people. King also justifies his actions for civil disobedience with the precedent set by the Boston Tea Party. He wants his audience to see him as a credible and understanding person with a righteous cause. King does this by …show more content…

“Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say, ‘Wait’” (King 491). Logos is used to show how unjust laws should be disobeyed and not “peacefully obeyed” (Clergymen 486). King does this by stating many reasons and justifying them with concrete evidence and not with emotion. “Let us consider a more concrete example…be considered democratically structured” (King 492-493)? Kings tone shifts several times throughout his essay. He starts off polite “since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth…” (King 488). King then transitions to a confident tone towards the middle. “Let us consider a more concrete example…be considered democratically structured” (King 492-493)? He then sets a restless tone in the middle with “when you have vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim…” (King 491). Finally, he ends with a hopeful tone. “Let us all hope that dark clouds of racial prejudice…over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty” (King

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