Rhetorical Devices In Rev. Martin Luther King

The most effective rhetorical device Martin Luther King Jr. used in “Letters from Birmingham Jail” was allusions which strengthened his message. Since King was talking to clergymen, he made many references to biblical events which helped to strengthen his message.

Persuasive works use many rhetorical devices to help the writer or speaker grab the audience's attention, or even manipulate certain emotions. Martin Luther King, Jr. used rhetorical devices in his works to create responses in his audience. He chose which devices to use based on his audience and the occasion. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was meant to carry emotional appeal, while his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” focused on logical appeal.

How was Martin Luther King, Jr., able to impact so many people with his words? It’s no secret that Martin Luther King Jr. was a great speaker and motivated so many people with his words. Particularly in his letter from Birmingham Jail, he was able to shape public opinion and gain support for the civil rights movement while also refuting the claims of the white clergymen. He was able to do this through his use of rhetorical devices in his writing, which he used to connect with other people better, persuading them in the process. Rhetorical devices are strategies good writers use to convey an idea more effectively.

In Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, King uses different rhetoric devices to advance his purpose, which is the African Americans have suffered too many injustices to keep quiet any more. The different rhetoric devices he uses are ethos, pathos, and logos.

Martin Luther King Jr. uses rhetorical devices “out the wazoo” throughout his letter directed specifically at his fellow clergymen (or fellow ministers and christian leaders), otherwise known as his peers. He seems to stress many different inequities over history, specifically occurrences with the African American community. Narrowing down and focusing in on paragraph's 13-14, we can analyze his specific usage of rhetoric that justifies his argument on the timeliness and reasoning for changing the inequitable laws of segregation. King’s major usage of ethos, and especially pathos, really “hits home” in its goal to disarm the the claims opposing King’s statement, “justice too long delayed is justice denied.” This quote defines King’s goal so well to me because it clearly defines the problem as well as solution which consists of a timely journey into the seemingly unreachable depths of freedom and equality. The problem lying in the delayed justification that the laws of segregation that must be revised so that the brotherhood of the American heart may be reunited once and for all.

Martin Luther Jr, an advocate of civil rights and pastor, was sent to jail after engaging in the Birmingham campaign. At the time, he served as the leader of the Christian Leadership Conference of the South, and was called upon to come to Birmingham and take part in a peaceful program. All the participants of the Alabama based Christian movement planned non-violent protests against racial discrimination in the city. Following the protests, all the participants were sent to jail. While in prison, eight clergymen of Alabama made a statement that blacks should stop supporting King and the other demonstrators.

Courageous persuaders use powerful rhetorical language to send a message to the public; this is how Dr. King accomplished his purpose. In the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, published in 1963: “Why We Cant Wait”, by Martin Luther King Jr., demonstrates a perfect example of empowering rhetorical language. King demonstrates this language in order to persuade his readers in a respectful manner. King’s purpose of writing this letter is to create awareness of the lack of civil rights in the Negro community; his main goal for his call to action is to stop segregation. In order to bring peace and justice for segregated families, Dr. King, attempted on persuading the clergyman to observe the civil disobedience that is immoral for Kings people by using these rhetorical appeals: pathos, ethos, and logos.

Martin Luther King Jr. gave many speeches in his lifetime. Martin Luther King uses persuasive argument in his speeches. One speech to show he did this is the "Beyond Vietnam - A Time to Break Silence" speech. In this speech he use Logos and Pathos. Him using these techniques is why everyone loved to listen to him and they just didn't hear him, they listened.

Martin Luther King Jr uses rhetorical questions in his speech in order to symbolize what

The ability to write a powerful persuasive piece results from total awareness of available rhetorical devices as well as inspiration and determination. Over the course of “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, the author Martin Luther King Jr., demonstrates that he can effectively employ the use of rhetoric elements. The rhetorical strategy and context are two vital literary elements within a piece of writing that can be used to make a strong argument while appealing to the audience. King uses a combination of rhetorical techniques to rebut the criticisms of his fellow Clergymen about the nature of the Birmingham protests. King uses quotes from past civil rights leaders and vivid metaphors/similes to make a persuasive argument. He also uses

L: Moreover, through the speaker’s use of anaphora, he outstandingly persuades his audience with powerful statements. P: Through the employment of symbolism throughout his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. is able to add emphasis on specific points. E: “[Martin Luther believes] that even amid [the] mortar burst and whining bullets, there is still hope” This use symbolism for the mortars and bullets as racism and inequality puts his statement at a higher intellectual level. This in return, makes his speech more persuasive for having a more in-depth meaning.

In paragraphs 12-14 King uses a combination of rhetorical strategies to argue the urgency for changing current segregation laws. Kings selective use of imagery, parallel structure, and metaphors helps bring out the emotions of the eight clergymen, making them feel sympathy and understand Martin Luther King Jr.s point of view.

On August 28th, 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr stood on the steps in front of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. He spoke passionately for 17 minutes on his views about human equality for African Americans at one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in history. King played a major role in ending the segregation for African Americans. His rhetorical language left an impact on America. Through his use of appeals like ethos, logos, pathos, and other rhetorical techniques. He influenced Americans to believe in the notion that all men are created equal.

2. Energy and emphasis was used throughout the entire Martin Luther’s speech. With every sentence he said, the listeners could feel the energy in his speech. Also, King put emphasis on many words throughout his speech. For example, the noun freedom is used twenty times and the sentence “I have a dream” was repeated eight times.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is one of the most successful and most legendary speeches in United States history. Martin Luther King Jr. was a masterful speaker, who established a strong command of rhetorical strategies. By his eloquent use of ethos, logos, and pathos, as well as his command of presentation skills and rhetorical devices, King was able to persuade his generation that "the Negro is not free" (King 1). His speech became the rallying cry for civil rights and lives on as an everlasting masterpiece.