Dr. Martin Luther King was a human rights activist, focused on the equal treatment and rights of blacks in American society. Dr. King wrote an open letter titled, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” while in jail on April of 1963, when segregation was at its greatest in Birmingham, Alabama. The letter was a reply directed to several white, moderate, clergymen who had written an open letter criticizing his actions during the civil rights movement. The increased violence and social injustice caused an unwarranted misery and hopelessness, which based on his explanations could lead to another uprising and turmoil among the people. Dr. King’s language enabled his audience to understand and relate to racial injustices plaguing society. He stressed the need for a difference, acceptance, and understanding of the African American community, sooner than later, as the current situation no longer was able to address and solve the problems arising between individuals with different colors. Dr. King used rhetorical arguments based on morals, character, and reasons to support his ideas and actions. For example, with the use of ethos, pathos, and logos he was able to influence those around him in a positive and productive manner, showing his unique talent as a speaker. Ethos is an appeal to the writer’s character. To deliver ethos, the
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King also used logos to reason with the audience. Logos is an appeal to the reader's logic. To deliver ethos, the writer must have facts, research, shared wisdom, and definitions. For instance, he said, "in any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham." (King, 1) It informed the audience that he showed a collection of specific step by step analysis of how to conduct a nonviolent campaign, not just one restricted to the civil rights movement but everywhere to change the
King also used logos to reason with the audience. Logos is an appeal to the reader's logic. To deliver ethos, the writer must have facts, research, shared wisdom, and definitions. For instance, he said, "in any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham." (King, 1) It informed the audience that he showed a collection of specific step by step analysis of how to conduct a nonviolent campaign, not just one restricted to the civil rights movement but everywhere to change the