Rhetorical Devices In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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To develop his arguments, King uses rhetorical devices and appeals that his presence is not unresentful and untimely in the speech "letter from Birmingham" which was written on April 16, 1963. As he speaks to the clergymen, he protests the Jim Crow laws and racial violence in Alabama during the Civil era. Dr. Martin's purpose is to argue for change, justify his actions, and answer the statement that injustices are "unwise and untimely". In the beginning of his speech, Dr King used ethos to establish his credibility and prove he's not an outsider and belongs in Birmingham. In paragraph 2, King states, "by the view which argues against "outsiders coming in." I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference." One way King establishes this is by mentioning his organizational ties that connect him beyond the community. Another way he proves he is not an outsider is by comparing himself to Paul. This is important because it connects the spread of the freedom movement to the same way Christianity was spread. Lastly, he discusses that he is an American citizen. "Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds." this significant because all Americans are united. In …show more content…

Martin Luther King uses in his letter is a shift. This shift appears in King's tone throughout paragraphs 38 and 39, when King starts to talk about the "deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church." Though King loves the church and has always spoken out about the love and respect he has for it, he feels that the church is being almost hypocritical in their teachings, that they are being "neglectful" and "conformists" when it comes to segregation. This is important because it helps emphasize the urgency of the issue and adds to the force of his claim that the church has failed to stand up for justice and equality against racism and the churches

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