Letter from Birmingham Jail
Letter from Birmingham Jail
Martin Luther King wrote the Clergymen who have written him a letter, claiming that the demonstrations that were being held were “unwise and untimely.” He explained in his letter why he’s writing them back even though he doesn’t usually respond to criticism because to him it would be just waste of precious time. However, considering them as men of good will he wanted to give them answers. King’s letter appeals to many emotions as pathos, ethos, and logos to his audience.
King starts his letter by making use of logos saying, “While confined here in the Birmingham city jail.” This is important because King is making a strong point right away in his letter. He is saying they threw me in jail for what I believe and I am okay with that because I am standing up for what I believe in. He is also saying I am making a sacrifice for the cause of human rights and up till now you are arguing about my purpose for being here in Birmingham. In the ninth paragraph Martin Luther King wrote “we waited to see Mr. Connor defeated, and to this we endured postponement after postponement. Having aided in this community need, we felt that our direct-action program could be delayed no longer.” King shared his principles and values to clarify the reasons of his decisions, in which he believes that the community requests and requirements can’t be postponed anymore. One of the other examples is his letter that shows his intelligence in logos is in the eleventh paragraph “The purpose of our direct-action is to create a situation so crisis-packed… I therefore concur with you in your call for negotiation” King was capable of being persuasive throughout giving reasons.
Martin Luther King also expresses a high sense of ethos in his letter. He establishes this from the very start of the argument. In the first paragraph he sets the tone for the letter. He states that he wants to answer the clergymen’s statements in a patient and reasonable terms. Also, King
Martin Luther King wrote the Clergymen who have written him a letter, claiming that the demonstrations that were being held were “unwise and untimely.” He explained in his letter why he’s writing them back even though he doesn’t usually respond to criticism because to him it would be just waste of precious time. However, considering them as men of good will he wanted to give them answers. King’s letter appeals to many emotions as pathos, ethos, and logos to his audience.
King starts his letter by making use of logos saying, “While confined here in the Birmingham city jail.” This is important because King is making a strong point right away in his letter. He is saying they threw me in jail for what I believe and I am okay with that because I am standing up for what I believe in. He is also saying I am making a sacrifice for the cause of human rights and up till now you are arguing about my purpose for being here in Birmingham. In the ninth paragraph Martin Luther King wrote “we waited to see Mr. Connor defeated, and to this we endured postponement after postponement. Having aided in this community need, we felt that our direct-action program could be delayed no longer.” King shared his principles and values to clarify the reasons of his decisions, in which he believes that the community requests and requirements can’t be postponed anymore. One of the other examples is his letter that shows his intelligence in logos is in the eleventh paragraph “The purpose of our direct-action is to create a situation so crisis-packed… I therefore concur with you in your call for negotiation” King was capable of being persuasive throughout giving reasons.
Martin Luther King also expresses a high sense of ethos in his letter. He establishes this from the very start of the argument. In the first paragraph he sets the tone for the letter. He states that he wants to answer the clergymen’s statements in a patient and reasonable terms. Also, King