“Letter from Birmingham Jail,” written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 in response to his arrest and prohibition of Blacks’ non-violent demonstrations against segregation, may be regarded as a highly persuasive work. In particular, its author uses several persuasive strategies to explain his position to readers aiming to stimulate their understanding. First of all, Dr. King creates a trustworthy atmosphere for his conversation with the audience using the technique of appealing to self-esteem needs that presupposes the use of a cordial tone, polite manners, and emphasizing opponents’ competence and virtues. In particular, regardless of their beliefs in the righteousness of discriminative practices, Dr. King calls readers Jewish and Christian friends writing to them, “I feel that you are men of genuine good” (King Jr., 1963, p. 1). In addition, he emphasizes their intellectual abilities as essential for understanding the issue.
Another strategy is the use of a combination of ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos presupposes the development of a speaker’s credibility, and, as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. King is listing the achievements of his organization to emphasize his competence and knowledge in relation to Blacks’ human rights. In turn, logos refers to a rational response, and Dr. King is drawing parallels between the current demonstrations and fighting against discrimination underlying that struggles are inevitable. Finally, pathos is an emotional response, and Dr. King evokes readers’ emotions by putting them in the place of discriminated individuals, writing, “when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she cannot go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her little eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children” (King Jr., 1963, p. 2). In his way, the author aims to evoke readers’ emotions.
The efficiency of Dr. King’s persuasion may be defined as controversial. On the one hand, he uses effective persuasive strategies that should have successful outcomes. However, on the other hand, it is essential to consider the letter’s context. In particular, readers are White people with deep beliefs in the righteousness of white supremacy. However, even if one latter is not enough to produce substantial changes, it may be regarded as an efficient start.
Reference
King Jr., M. L. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. Web.