Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is possibly one of the most recognizable names in American History, and Letter from Birmingham Jail is one of the most powerful pieces of political rhetoric ever written. He was a civil rights leader throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, fighting against the unjust nonviolent methods such as protests. In 1963 he was arrested after protesting peacefully in Birmingham, Alabama, which was one of the most segregated areas of the south. Eight local clergymen questioned both his presence in the city and methods, calling it “unwise and untimely.” He responded with Letter from Birmingham Jail, which used a variety of rhetorical strategies in order to persuade his audience of the injustice of racial segregation. He supports abiding by laws, but feels that complying with unjust laws anywhere threatens justice
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Therefore, he wrote in formal language so that he would be taken seriously. Already aware of the prejudices they had on him for being a black man, and put in jail for standing up for a cause he could not have written casually and with slang if he wanted to be taken seriously. He also structured his letter effectively and it is organized so that his thoughts are not jumbled together but instead organized logically. He also used fact to support his reasoning for protesting against the current conditions in the city.
Overall, Martin Luther King Jr. was exceptional in his use of language and devices to persuade people to get involved and help with equal rights. This touched every appeal in the rhetorical triangle, used a variety of rhetorical devices and the structure made this an effective argument. He knew how to talk to his audience did so well that today students are still learning and analyzing it. He puts the reader in his shoes of African Americans and the pain they have
Therefore, he wrote in formal language so that he would be taken seriously. Already aware of the prejudices they had on him for being a black man, and put in jail for standing up for a cause he could not have written casually and with slang if he wanted to be taken seriously. He also structured his letter effectively and it is organized so that his thoughts are not jumbled together but instead organized logically. He also used fact to support his reasoning for protesting against the current conditions in the city.
Overall, Martin Luther King Jr. was exceptional in his use of language and devices to persuade people to get involved and help with equal rights. This touched every appeal in the rhetorical triangle, used a variety of rhetorical devices and the structure made this an effective argument. He knew how to talk to his audience did so well that today students are still learning and analyzing it. He puts the reader in his shoes of African Americans and the pain they have