Letter from Birmingham Essay

Letter From Birmingham Essay

Martin Luther King Jr used ethos in his letter when he said “I, along with several members of my staff, am here because I was invited here.” By saying this he’s telling them that he has the authority to be there. Martin Luther King also shows reliability because even though he knows how bad it is there in Birmingham he still kept his promise and went to protest.

Pathos is used in the letter when Martin Luther King talks about Adolf Hitler. Dr.King said “We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did was Legal...” This appeals to the clergymen in an emotional way. At the time it was also something that didn’t happen to long ago. Martin Luther King was also saying that even though it was “legal” in Germany at the time doesn’t mean it was the right thing to do.

Martin Luther King shows logos in his letter when he gives his reasoning for being there in the first place. He noticed that segregation in Birmingham was higher than any other state in the U.S. Also a member from one of eighty-five affiliated organizations in the south sent Martin Luther King a request to come and protest because things were getting worse and worse.

In conclusion Martin Luther King used Logos, Ethos, and Pathos in many different ways. In doing so he wrote one of the best pieces of writing known to man. Martin Luther King Jr is an inspiration to us all for his determination and ambition. He shows his will through this letter.