What Is The Rhetorical Appeals In Letter From Birmingham Jail

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail” on April 16th, 1963 after King had been arrested for leading a peaceful and nonviolent demonstration that was held in order to bring attention to the cruel racist treatment of blacks Americans. Despite being written in a jail cell, the beautifully crafted letter effectively used ethos, pathos, and logos; three powerful rhetorical devices that work to clearly convey his message to the target audience.

His viewpoint was that of a frustrated African American man who had seen various forms of racial discrimination and segregation throughout the course of his lifetime. Nevertheless, he was also a devout follower of Christ who had a great deal of patience and was knowledgeable about the principles and practices of civil disobedience. This, together with the use of rhetorical appeals, increased the impact of his message. King's use of appeals in his

He apologises to his audience by saying, “I’m afraid it is much too long to take your precious time. I can assure you that it would have been much shorter if I had been writing from a comfortable desk, but what else can one do when he is alone in a narrow jail cell, other than write long letters, think long thoughts and pray long prayers?” This is a response to his current situation that brings the reader back to the reality of why this letter is being written in the first place; injustice. After reading such a beautifully crafted piece of literature that worked to shed light onto the harsh reality African Americans face, it’s easy to forget that King was even in jail at the time. However, this short comment helps the reader realize that even the most educated, compassionate and determined people are still subject to the harsh injustices of