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Letter from Birmingham Jail - Coggle Diagram
Letter from Birmingham Jail
The writer
Martin Luther King Jr. Received his doctorate in systematic theology
Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
In 1956 Martin Luther King Jr. organized a bus boycott that led the United States supreme court decision that outlawed segregation on Alabama buses.
Martin Luther King Jr. was imprisoned nearly 30 times
Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech which he delivered on august 28 1963 is considered to be one of the most influential speeches of the twentieth century
The writer's purpose
King's purpose was to convince readers that his actions were honorable even though he was in jail
King was protesting laws that were unjust
King believed that he had an obligation to point out the unjust laws, even if that meant going to jail
King uses this letter to respond to criticism that he and his fellow activist were outsiders
The writer's audience
King addresses the eight clergymen from Birmingham
They considered King an outsider who was unwise and untimely
King addresses the white moderates
King understood that he needed to influence this segment of his audience if he is to gain wide support for his cause
King addresses the American people
He understood that he needed to win over the American people and motivate them to take action
The writer's tone
King appeals to the people of America and encourages them to do what is right
The letter as a whole is assertive but respectful
King uses a restraining tone by ending the letter with a plea that is calculated to console and inspire people who need reassurance (50)
The question
The question King is trying to answer is why he decided to come to Birmingham to lead protest
Kings main concern being the racial segregation in Alabama
King argues that the injustice from one state will affect the entire country
The context
In the 1950 there was use of racial specific public facilities
The Supreme Court found that the segregation was unconstitutional
This did not stop the racial injustice from happening
Logos
King appeals to reason many times throughout this letter, the main example being his use of just and unjust laws
Pathos
King many times throughout this letter, trying to trigger emotions by creating sympathy and by quoting a line from a five-year-old boy
Ethos
King established his credibility by telling people who he is and what he has done