Letter To Birmingham Jail Analysis

Words: 737
Pages: 3

When reading and/or listening to a speech or lecture, the general idea is to use strong language to inspire, motivate, and call to action those who would normally stand idly. In other cases, different ideas apply to different literature, so consequently, when you’re reading a letter to inform or rebuttal different language is accepted. Very delicate, informational words are used to convey a better message to that won’t be discarded because of nonsensical rambling and anger induced wording. But, like in most things, there are exceptions. Letters of importance sometimes will appeal to emotion in precise moments so that the reader feels more connected and invested in the writing. Speeches may use the same strategy to show that they aren’t just an infuriated politician, but alternatively, well-educated speaker by using logical reasoning throughout their charged language. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) does both of these very effectively in two of his works, Letter From …show more content…
Like I have previously stated, MLK has accomplished using both pathos and logos in his works effectively. In Letter to Birmingham Jail, King speaks about the injustice being done in Birmingham and he brings up the point that we’ve already gone through all the steps to ensure that something needs to be done in Birmingham. 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, Letter to Birmingham Jail). Saying this is his way of letting the reader know that we’ve gone through the necessary precautions to know what needs to be done, yet we stand idly by. By mentioning this, it makes the reader think and it's a very effective tool which eventually led to the march in