Preview

Summary Of Persuasion By Martin Luther King Jr

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
370 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Summary Of Persuasion By Martin Luther King Jr
Persuasive Response
Any article written by Martin Luther King is persuasive. By using the three elements of persuasion, ethos, pathos, and logos any article will effective convince the audience. In King’s letter from Birmingham jail and his “I Have a Dream Speech” used all arts of persuasion to effectively arrive at the point that was necessary for action. On the opposing subjective view, the Clergymen attempted to persuade the public using only one of the persuasive elements: logos. I believe that the most coaxing way to address the public is to use all three elements of persuasion as Martin Luther Kings expressed.
First, the Clergymen from Alabama fail to use all elements of persuasion. If you are persuading a large group to act on your behalf,
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail: Dr. Kings Fight For Justice And Equality
    • 68 Words
    • 1 Page

    Letter From Birmingham Jail: Dr. Kings Fight For Justice And Equality

    “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is written to the audience of clergymen. Martin Luther King Jr., wrote this letter to respond to clergymen who had questions for him. Paragraphs 12-14 are the most persuasive and thorough. King uses many rhetoric mechanism and appeals. Throughout those paragraphs, there is an excessive use of: pathos, logos, ethos, metaphors, symbolism, direct addressment and parallel structure.…

    • 68 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Martin Luther King Jr: An Analysis of the Letter from Birmingham Jail
    • 1184 Words
    • 34 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr: An Analysis of the Letter from Birmingham Jail

    Written by Martin Luther King Jr., the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a paragon of persuasive writing that takes advantage of ethos, pathos, and logos in order to convince its readers to take MLK’s side during the American civil rights movement. The use of ethos defines MLK as a credible writer; the use of pathos appeals to his audience on a personal level; and the use of logos layers his arguments and claims with irrefutable reasoning and logic. By using all three techniques, MLK is able to hold the attention of his readers and persuade them to take his side in the battle against segregation.…

    • 1184 Words
    • 34 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Martin Luther King Speech Rhetorical Analysis
    • 88 Words
    • 1 Page

    Martin Luther King Speech Rhetorical Analysis

    Martin Luther King Jr. persuades the reader of the value of civil disobedience by using logos and allusions. He uses logos in the quote: "We have some eighty-five affiliate organizations" (6). This persuades the reader with logos because then there are eighty-five organizations supporting him, it seems logical that what he is doing is right. King also utilizes allusion in his speech: "Jesus Christ... Apostle Paul... Lord... Saint Thomas Aquinas" (6-7). This persuades the reader because the names listed are very well known figures the average person…

    • 88 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter
    • 569 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter

    Genre is the framework that the academic writing will be based on, and it is similar to a format where things can be expected to be appear at a certain point in writing. Genre is often determined by the rhetorical situation and can be change to increase the readability and complexity of an academic writing. Audience is part of a big rhetorical situation because rhetorical situation consists of many other factors like constraints, issue. Audience can changes the languages of the paper to adapt to the selected group of people. With restricted audience can sometimes affect the effectiveness of the paper. Rhetorical situation will the most important term to explain because it is the deciding factor for both genre and audience. Rhetorical situation is a situation where it demands a response according to Lloyd Bitzer.…

    • 569 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Allusions In Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail
    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Allusions In Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

    Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail is one of the most well known documents in American history. King’s profound ability to articulate important ideas, values, concepts and Biblical perspectives made for some of the most powerful and inspirational pieces of American literature ever produced. One technique that King used in his public speeches and letters was his allusions to historical figures, the Bible and opposing congressmen. During the 60’s when cultural prejudice still held strong roots in Congress, it was King’s talent to inspire the public that revolutionized America’s racial injustices. King’s frequent use of allusions in his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail proved his intelligence and greatly attributed to his success and popularity during the 1960’s. His allusions demonstrated his referential capabilities while also making his messages readily relatable to the public.…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Analyzing Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter From Birmingham Jail'
    • 1293 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Analyzing Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter From Birmingham Jail'

    Miller illustrates the rhetorical strategies used by Martin Luther King Jr. in his literature through his commentary. Miller states that, “King’s social gospel directly reflects the theology of his father, his grandfather and Borders.” (76 Miller). Miller goes on to support his reasoning when he explains, “Their non violent protests- not his reading of Thoreau, Gandhi, Nelson, or Wofford-provided his initial and most significant lessons in nonviolence.” (76 Miller). Miller continues on to analyze King’s rhetorical strategies when addressing the issue of repetition. Martin Luther King Jr. uses reputation throughout his “I Have a Dream” speech. Miller discusses that repetition is an effective tool when preaching a message; he does this when he states, “it helps ensure congregational participation.”(76 Miller), and also when he explains, “A homilist develops authority by embracing well-loved disclosure, creating a voice by melding it with those of previous speakers.”(76 Miller). MLK uses repetition as a way to embed the message in the audiences’ head so it wont be forgotten easily, repetition was also used to show significance in the message being delivered. Another main point of repetition was the audience had a sense of unity because they were aware of the hymn that was drawing them into the preaching. Miller also speaks on the rhetorical strategy that is known as “voice merging”. King Jr. uses voice merging to allow the audience to draw personal connections when he is preaching. Miller illustrates when Martin Luther King Jr. uses voice merging when exclaiming, “In ‘I Have a Dream’ he merges his voice with that of ‘Amos’ (‘We shall never be satisfied till justice rolls down like waters…’) and with those of Isaiah and Jesus (‘I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted…’).” (78 Miller). Keith D. Miller’s commentary provided me with information on different rhetorical strategies used by Martin Luther King Jr.; he effectively illustrated ways…

    • 1293 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Strategies In Letter From Birmingham Jail
    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Rhetorical Strategies In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    Martin Luther King uses rhetorical strategies in his speech in order to do many things. These rhetorical strategies can be seen throughout the Letter from Birmingham City Jail by Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. The main purpose of this letter is to fight for freedom and end segregation between the Whites and the African Americans.King utilizes pronouns to include the audience to persuade his audience that as a nation we are all in this together. King says, “We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands” (1). The purpose of this sentence is to make everyone come together. King claims that they will win because God is on their side. If they work hard enough they will also achieve what they are striving for. “We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation” (1) Kings purpose of this quote is to give his readers hope that change will come eventually. He will not just reach the goal of freedom, but the nation will reach the goal of freedom. Using pronouns to include the audience brings king and the readers together. Together they take a stand and become one. King utilizes repetition, which ingrains the problem in your head while making…

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis
    • 350 Words
    • 2 Pages

    What Is Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

    It showed that he was sad and he hoped everyone said a prayer for Martin Luther King Jr. I feel like it's persuasive because, it uses logic, it touches the heart, and it showed that he knew what he was talking about. This to me showed that he is persuasive. For example, it says "For those of you who are black-considering the evidence evidently is that there were white people who were responsible-you can be filled with bitterness, and with hatred, and a desire for revenge." This shows pathos, because he talks about the feelings you have and allows you to have it, but it gets better with this from the text."We can move in that direction as a country, in greater polarization-black amongst blacks, and white amongst whites, filled with hatred toward one another. Or we can make an effort, as Martin Luther King did, to understand, and to comprehend, and replace that violence, that stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land with an effort to understand, compassion, and love." It shows very clearly that he was getting their feelings and trying to make them understand that it can get…

    • 350 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    A Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech
    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

    Martin luther king jr speech was inspirational to many people and lots of people thx him for what he did and his bravery. He said that all race should be treated the same. “ There are those who are still asking the devotees for civil rights”. I have a dream that one day the nation will rise up and live out the truth. I have a dream that one day everybody and every mankind will be treated equally.…

    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    An Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter From Birmingham Jail
    • 1284 Words
    • 6 Pages

    An Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter From Birmingham Jail

    On April 16th, 1963, during the peak of the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote to a collection of clergymen in regards to his beliefs and protests. In his “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” King aptly wrote to the clergymen about their concerns in a respectful manner, while maintaining his dignity and explaining his purpose. In order to validate his points, he first built his credibility, and from there flowed into a plethora of other strategies. His emotional anecdotes and insight are strong points in his letter, appealing to the clergymen’s sense of compassion and justice. The imagery that accompanies his writing creates vivid and horrifying scenes meant to encourage the reader to join King in his civil rights endeavors. Logically, King presents his values in a manner that becomes inarguable against, which furthers the persuasive value of his writing. His…

    • 1284 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Civil Disobedience Rhetorical Analysis
    • 768 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Civil Disobedience Rhetorical Analysis

    Henry David Thoreau, Lewis H. Van Dusen, and Martin Luther King Jr. all three found a way to show their messages through the different forms of persuasion in writing. By using the different way to draw in their audience they have shown to their readers that the power of persuasion, and the ability to stand for what is right you can accomplish almost anything. If Dr. King can help end the everlasting feud between African Americans and Whites with the power of what is right then anything can be accomplished with the right…

    • 768 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Rhetorical Field Of Religion In Martin Luther King's Letter
    • 1026 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Rhetorical Field Of Religion In Martin Luther King's Letter

    In this letter, Martin Luther King utilizes both the rhetorical field of religion, and the rhetorical element of audience as a combination to support his arguments against the clergymen and the white moderate's view of the civil rights movement as a whole. \…

    • 1026 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech
    • 155 Words
    • 1 Page

    Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

    The beginning of Dr. King’s speech is referencing when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Declaration, made to free slaves, which is appropriate because his speech describes how the Negro were yet to be free even though the Declaration was signed one hundred years prior.…

    • 155 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ethos In Letter From Birmingham Jail
    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Ethos In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    Assuredly, King spent a great amount of time doing research and using rhetorical appeals effectively to bring more power and potential to his writing towards the clergymen, since he was a leader in the civil rights movement it was necessary for him to do so. However, other appeals used by MLK in his, “Letter To Birmingham Jail,” may have been effective in his purpose of writing, polysyndeton and pathos were the most profitable ones to convey a strong sense of shame for the audience. While also making the effect of shame long lasting throughout his…

    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Pathos In Letter From Birmingham Jail
    • 558 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Pathos In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail was written from the cell of the Birmingham jail in the margins of a newspaper; to address the criticisms of eight Alabama Clergyman. King uses pathos, logos, and ethos to appeal to his readers. In addition, to his appeals King uses several persuasive strategies in his response to the attacks on him for his involvement in organizing a non-violent protest to support the civil rights movement. The purpose of this essay is to appeal to readers the injustices of segregation and the unjust laws. King’s most effective strategy in his letter is the use of an emotional (pathos) appeal to persuade his readers to feel something in regards to racial discrimination, and the unjust laws.…

    • 558 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics