Rhetorical+Outline+of+Letter+from+Birmingham+Jail

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Introduction Section 1 -- A Primer on Direct Action and Nonviolence Section 2 -- An Argument Against Patience Section 3 -- A Theory of the Just Law Section 4 -- A Critique of the White Moderate Section 5 -- A Defense of Extremism Section 6 -- A Critique of the White Church Section 7 -- A Critique of the Status Quo Conclusion

 Introduction

Purpose:

I. Thesis //(paraphrased)//:

II. Concession and Refutation A. Discussion of opposing viewpoints

B. Argument against opposing viewpoints

III. Confirmation of Thesis A. Logical Appeals

B. Emotional Appeals

C. Ethical Appeals

 Section 1 -- A Primer on Direct Action and Non-violence

Purpose: To justify the choice of a nonviolent direct action campaign

I. Thesis //(paraphrased)//: Direct action is a necessary program, as negotiation is no longer plausible, and change must occur through these actions without violence.

II. Concession and Refutation

A. Discussion of opposing viewpoints B. Argument against opposing viewpoints III. Confirmation of Thesis
 * The clergymen disapprove of the direct action campaign and feels negotiation is a better path
 * The movement has been through the four steps of nonviolent campaign
 * Collection of facts to see whether injustices exist
 * "Birmigham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city"
 * "record of brutality is widely known"
 * "unjust treatment in the courts"
 * "Unsolved bombings
 * Negotiation
 * leaders of economic community made promises which were broken
 * Self-Purification
 * Workshops
 * Direct Action
 * No alternative
 * Direct action seeks to create tension which forces the community to address the issue
 * "There is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth"
 * Used to open the door to negotiation

A. Logical Appeals B. Emotional Appeals C. Ethical Appeals
 * 4 basic steps (collection of facts, negotiation, self purification, direct action)- campaign well though out and planned
 * Cite facts (bombings, injustice in courts, brutality)
 * Reasoning for timing
 * Emphasised the non-violence of their actions
 * Uses Rogerian tactics
 * "understanding and brotherhood"
 * open the door to **negotiation**
 * Gives argument a philisophical basis
 * Socrates created tension to move to creative analysis and objective appraisal
 * Hypophera (anticipating counter argument)
 * "You may well ask: 'Why direct action? Why sit ins, marches, and so forth? Isn't negotiation a better path?'"
 * Word Choice
 * On segregation
 * "Ugly Record of brutality"
 * "Grossly unjust"
 * "Hard, our very brutal facts"
 * "Humiliating racial signs"
 * "Victims of a broken promise"
 * "Our hopes had been blasted"
 * On the what led to their choice (portray actions as a last result, not their choice)
 * "No alternative"
 * "Endured postponement after postponement"
 * "Could be delayed no longer"
 * "Forced to confront the issue"
 * "Earnestly opposed violent tension"
 * "Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in a tragic effort to live in monologue rather than dialogue"
 * Figurative Language (with exaggeration)
 * "Individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal"
 * "Help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood"
 * Demonstrates passion related to his situation (refers to the issues as his and of others who are affected, We).
 * Shows respect to his opponent when refuting their argument ("I am sorry to say...").
 * includes Socrates as a reference to their similar situations, adding credibility to his argument ("Just as Socrates felt that is was necessary to create a tension in the mind...")
 * Shows that he is not an outsider by referring to his organizational ties, the fact that he was invited by activists in Birmingham, that the problem is not just in Birmingham, but involves many in the United States.

 Section 2 -- An Argument Against Patience

Purpose: To defend the cause and present the basic steps of a non-violent campaign.

I. Thesis //(paraphrased)//: We cannot wait for social equality, it has to be an immediate action. II. Concession and Refutation

A. Discussion of opposing viewpoints -Dr. King adresses a concern of the clergymen that he did not give the new Birmingham administration enough time to act. -Then King adresses the broader viewpoint of the moderate whites that blacks should wait for equality.

B. Argument against opposing viewpoints -First King adresses the point about the Birmingham government by saying that the new government was not going to solve the problem of equality. the new administration was less aggressive, less against the black community, but less bad is not good. -

III. Confirmation of Thesis
 * King begins his confirmation of his thesis by discussing his efforts of negotiation and direct action.

- "The, last September came the opportunity to talk with the leaders of Birmingham's economic community. In the course of negotiations, certain promises were made by the merchants-for example, to remove the stores' humiliating racial signs...As the weeks and months went by, we realized that we were the victims of a broken promise. A few signs, briefly removed, returned; the others remained."

After countless attempts at peaceful negotiations had failed, King himself said "We had no alternative except to prepare for direct action," one of the steps in his nonviolent campaign. Direct action appears to be the source of all other steps in his campaign. When discussing self-purification, he goes back to connect this to direct action.

A. Logical Appeals

B. Emotional Appeals

- "Its [racial injustice] ugly record of brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more __unsolved bombings__ of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation."
 * King appeals to the emotions of the clergymen by relating his argument to them on a human to human level. He talks about the violence against Negros.


 * King emphasizes the contrast between their rising hopes and crushing disappointments to make his point. The whites had again failed to live up to their promises to help work towards equality.

- "As in so many past experiences, our hopes had been blasted, and the shadow of deep disappointment settled upon us."


 * King uses repetition of the apparent rising tension between black and whites to make his point.

- "Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue."

- " My citing the creation of tension as part of the work of the nonviolent-resister mat sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word "tension." I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which in necessary for growth."

C. Ethical Appeals

 Section 3 -- A Theory of the Just Law

Purpose: To distinguish between just and unjust laws

I. Thesis //(paraphrased)//: One has a legal responsibility to obey just laws, but one also has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. "An unjust law is not a law at all."

II. Concession and Refutation

A. Discussion of opposing viewpoints


 * "How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?"

B. Argument against opposing viewpoints


 * There are two types of laws just and unjust.
 * define just and unjust laws
 * give both biblical and historical evidence
 * three Hebrew Boys (biblical) and Socrates (historical figure praised in modern for his civil disobedience"

III. Confirmation of Thesis

A. Logical Appeals
 * 1) Defines "just laws" and "unjust laws"
 * just law = "a man-made code that squares with moral law or the law of God." "Any law that uplifts human personality."
 * unjust law= "a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law." "Any law that degrades human personality."
 * parallel structure between definition shows a level clarity that leaves no room for misunderstanding = easy comparison between the two.
 * 1) uses syllogistic reasoning
 * 2) defines sin as separation
 * 3) equates separation to segregation.
 * 4) by transitivity, he is able to say that segregation is sin
 * powerful statement especially knowing the intended audience are clergymen and they are supposed to be the righteous men of God.
 * 1) Uses of biblical citations and historical events and figures who broke unjust laws to provide logical support to his argument and legitimacy for breaking the law
 * it is natural and logical to support claims with past and accepted events
 * biblical example was the 3 Hebrew boys ( Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)
 * they broke the law by refusing to bow to the king
 * historical reference is the incident with Hitler and the Hungarian Freedom Fighters

B. Emotional Appeals
 * 1) obey just laws, but disobey unjust laws
 * King uses the fact that obeying laws are a combination of both legal and moral responsibilities. He focuses on the audiences conscience by emphasizing that moral responsibilities outweigh legal responsibilities.
 * legal responsibility to obey just laws
 * moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws
 * 1) Syntax is very direct, crisp, and not overflowing
 * it mirrors the withdrawal of emotion and even some solemnity
 * effect on audience is that King is being objective
 * the contrast between early syntax and concluding sentences of the paragraph "Now, what is the difference between the two? ... for they are morally wrong." emphasizes the heavily layered diction of the paragraph such as "damages the personality," "false sense of superiority," "tragic separation," and "terrible sinfulness."
 * 1) The flow of emotional diction in the paragraph "Now, what is the difference between the two? ... for they are morally wrong." follows that of a musical style of emphasis; it follows a pattern
 * similar starting from a soft or piano dynamic and it crescendoes to a fortissimo or loud explosion of heavily layered emotional diction
 * following the height of strong diction there is a diminuendo or gradual decrease in intensity of strong emotional diction
 * (this is all within the same paragraph aforementioned.)
 * also to reiterate the effect of the emotional diction is intensified by the contrast in syntax which conveys an opposing appeal.
 * another analogy for the flow of emotional diction is that of a pulpit preacher, where the sermon begins as a cool solemn teaching and begins to intensify and results in shouting filled with emotion at the climax of the sermon.

C. Ethical Appeals
 * 1) there is unity of the audiences identity that King establishes for them early in the letter and by doing this compliments the unity of his own identity of simply responding to the criticisms of his "peers" (__**fellow**__clergymen)
 * because of his rhetorical context, he must be very clear about his views; he directly responds to the criticisms creating a unity of identity as simply refuting the criticisms
 * "One may ask: ...'an unjust is no law at all' "
 * by stating the audiences criticisms directly, it gives them an active voice and creates a conversational tone
 * as a result it shows that King acknowledges them as people and shows that he does respect his audience (unity of King's character as being respectful.)
 * 1) The flow of emotional diction in the paragraph "Now, what is the difference between the two? ... for they are morally wrong." mirroring the climaxing of a sermon that King spent most of his career speaking from behind creates a unity of identity as a clergyman.
 * the biblical reference of to the three Hebrew boys further supports his identity as a clergyman and that he knows his audience (they are also clergymen so they cannot argue with the word of God)
 * 1) His use of historical figures and events such as Socrates and Hitler and the Hungarian Freedom Fighters shows a unity of identity first as an overall bright man and brings King a level of legitimacy about his claims.
 * people know that these events have occurred they cannot be interpreted any other way.
 * these events and figures are taught to children in school
 * Socrates and Gandhi are taught as heroes and they broke the law
 * Hitler's laws were cruel and inhumane and he was seen as a monster, yet his laws were "legal."

 Section 4 -- A Critique of the White Moderate

Purpose: To scold or to criticize the white moderate. King Acknowledges the problem and extends a possible anecdote.

I. Thesis //(paraphrased)//:The white moderate needs to understand King's reasons for direct action. They also need to put aside their lukewarm acceptance and either fully support his method of direct action or fully reject instead of telling him to wait. (The white moderate is thought to be the white people in power who let segregation get to this point and who did nothing to stop it.)

II. Concession and Refutation

A. Discussion of opposing viewpoints The white moderates' opposition of direct action and the belief of the white moderates that the peaceful actions of those fighting for their civil rights create violence and tension.

B. Argument against opposing viewpoints Dr. King states that they are not creating tension, but only bringing hidden tension to the surface, so that it may be noticed and dealt with accordingly. Even though they have been protesting peacefully and only been met with brutality and force from the white moderates, they have still been the ones who are repeatedly called violent. (He is pointing out their hypocrisy). He also states that Jesus' devotion to God's will precipitated His own crucifixion, but he shouldn't be condemned for this reason.

III. Confirmation of Thesis

A. Logical Appeals uses hypophora to show the white moderates how illogical their arguments are by asking "But is this logical assertion?" uses analogy of the robbed and the robber to connect to the oppressed who have been robbed of their rights and the whites that have robbed the oppressed of their rights. uses antithesis to continue to show the lack of logic in the white moderates' arguments.

B. Emotional Appeals uses very strong diction to create emotional effects. His diction gives the effect of him scolding the white moderate. Their shallow understanding of his situation frustrates him more than complete misunderstanding. The silence of good people is appalling to him and should be repented for just as hateful words and actions should be. Uses hypophora in comparing the civil rights movement to socrates' commitment to finding the truth.

C. Ethical Appeals King creates himself as an honest, religious character with his use of religious words such as "Christian and Jewish brothers", "repentance", "psalm", and "crucifixion". He uses a biblical allusion of "lukewarm acceptance" to further his identity as a clergyman. Uses hypophora and a comparison to condemning Jesus.

 Section 5 -- A Defense of Extremism

Purpose: Martin Luther King Jr. gives his definition of an extremist to subtract from the various claims made against him.

I. Thesis //(paraphrased)//:There is a necessity for a type of extremism that would benefit all of mankind.

II. Concession and Refutation

A. Discussion of opposing viewpoints
 * Expressed disappointment at with the prospect of being called an “extremist”, due to the negative connotations surrounding the word
 * After coming to a realization that there were positive forms of extremists, didn’t mind and almost appreciated being called an extremist

B. Argument against opposing viewpoints
 * Made a case that there were many different types of extremists using positive examples, such as religious and historical figures
 * Classified the two “extremes” of blacks and used Rogerian argument to present his solution to unifying the two groups
 * Complacent blacks- those who have become so the used to the idea of being oppressed that they no longer care to fight and lay down, grin, and bear it; those who have become more successful than the average black man and would rather not fight in order to keep their somewhat powerful position
 * Bitter/hostile blacks- those who have tons of pent up rage and are not in the least hesitant or afraid to release it in a violent manner
 * Luther’s solution- Non-violent protest, which consists of the peaceful characteristics of the complacent black man, as well as the pro-activeness of the bitter/hostile black man

III. Confirmation of Thesis

A. Logical Appeals
 * 1) comparison of King's so called "extreme" non-violent movement to Muhammad's Muslim movement which promotes Black nationalism through violence and hatred
 * 2) Biblical allusion to Jesus and comparison of Jesus' extremist philosophies for love
 * 3) Biblical allusion to Amos and comparison of Amos' extremist efforts for justice
 * 4) reference to Abraham Lincoln's statement that the nation cannot survive half slave and half free
 * 5) naming of white people who participate in the Black civil rights movement to show that this movement is for the universal purpose of helping mankind
 * 6) If the repressed emotions of the Negro are not released in non-violent ways, he will seek expression through violence; this natural discontent can then be channeled into non-violent direct action

B. Emotional Appeals


 * Biblical references
 * Scares audience with images of a possible violent black uprising
 * Describes complacent blacks as having no sense of self or self-worth
 * References the independence struggles in Asia and Africa to show that the blacks in America are getting caught up in the spirit of those revolutions
 * description of the sacrafices other whites have made to the civil rights movement such as being in "roach-infested jails", suffering abuse from police, and being called "dirty nigger lovers" to appeal to the emotion of pity
 * states that oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever because something inside of them reminds them of their urge to be free creating the emotion of anger

C. Ethical Appeals


 * 1) King states his disappointment at first about being categorized as an extremist and then his acceptance of it
 * 2) King states that maybe he was too optimistic or asking too much of the white oppressor race; being modest but also being sarcastic
 * 3) Comparison of his philosophy of love to Jesus' philosophy making his movement valid
 * 4) Cites white figures who fought for blacks’ rights to prove that he isn’t against all white people or even against them at all and to remind the audience that he too can end up in the same position as a white man, even it is in a “filthy, roach-infested” jail cell
 * 5) Stating that he stands in the middle of the two opposing forces in the Negro community making himself seem moderate
 * 6) Being grateful to God for his ways of non violence showing his Christian values
 * 7) Being thankful that some white brothers help to social revolution

 Section 6 -- A Critique of the White Church

//Purpose:// Uses the church to unify those clergymen that he stands with and those he is addresses and seeks to win over

**I.** //Thesis (paraphrased):// The white church should have been expected to follow the morals established by the early church and act as an active medium for positive change in the larger community. However, when Dr. King worked for African American protests, his expectations of the church failed and he received no help. Therefore, he was left disappointed with a few notable exceptions which he mentioned. For this effort to defend the status quo and conform to the very society that it should change, the modern church deserves the deepest condemnation.

King is angry with the white moderate clergymen who in addition to being white moderates- a group known to irk Dr. King- disavow their faith by neglecting a group so comparable to those of biblical lore.

**II.** //Concession and Refutation// ** abcd A.** //Discussion of// // opposing viewpoints // efghijklmno many ministers have said that the gospels make no effort to deal with social issues, so the church should pqrstuvwxyzabcdefghf stay out of social problems (Clergy consider social issues and religion to be separate) these words Many white ministers have gone along with the protests show up in Dr. King is merely a critic of everything spiritual Dr. King does not love the churches so nobody w the gospels make no mention of the artificial distinction between physical well-being and spiritual well-being that can see them. this mk the church leaders create with their refusal to act kes it easier while some preachers, such as Reverent Stallings, have made genuine attempts at racial integration, the vast to adjust character sp majority of religious leaders have followed the status quo indentation Dr. King was raised with a deep knowledge of God that causes him to love the church and be all the more without it disappearin disappointed with its wrongdoing Gospel and scripture till stories of social injustice similar to the pertinent situation **III.** //Confirmation of Thesis//
 * white B. ** //Argument against opposing viewpoints//
 * **A**. //Logical Appeals//
 * 1) reference to the bus boycott in Montgomery
 * 2) notice people following the law not because its right but because its a law which have no standing because it should be because it is morally right
 * 3) churches being overly religious have made a huge distinction between body and soul or the sacred and the secular
 * 4) at once the church was very powerful
 * 5) talked about how the Christians did not give up their religion because they were crucified when they came into town being called outside agitators (typological comparison to early Christians)
 * 6) church's hypocrisy ; they do not practice what they preach
 * 7) connects politics and religion without doing so explicitly (freedom was gained for these groups, it is destined for blacks to gain freedom also)
 * pilgrims
 * Declaration of Independence
 * slavery
 * **B.** //Emotional Appeals//
 * 1) talks about his love for the church because of the nurture it provided him, as well as because of the generations of ministers before him in his family and how he will love the church until he dies
 * 2) talks about his hopes when coming to Birmingham which was to reach high people in power where he could discuss his grievances and get racial justice
 * 3) his love for the churches because the long line of preachers but how it is blemished through social neglect of being nonconformist
 * 4) talked about meeting a young person everyday who is disappointed with the church
 * 5) reassure the people that if they do not support the movement he still have no fears of the future
 * 6) disappointment at clergymen's hypocrisy and conformity to social constructs ("paralyzing chains of conformity")
 * 7) his conviction and passion for the issue is used to try and win over the moderate clergy men
 * 8) figurative language to illustrate the clergy's failure to act
 * **C.** //Ethical Appeals//
 * 1) Commending Reverend Stallings for his Christian stand on letting Negroes into his church and Spring Hill College for integrating. ( appeals to their character on taking a stand on this movement and siding with the Negroes which King believes Christians ought to do)
 * 2) discusses how he thought the white church would be among his biggest supporters of the movement but how it was not and instead refuses to even understand the purpose of the movement, and protecting themselves behind the church
 * 3) call into question the people who worship at those churches
 * 4) warns the church about losing its authenticity
 * 5) speaks of earlier "movements" before our time
 * 6) wishes to reassert the church's morality by drawing it to support his cause
 * 7) "But the judgement of God is upon the church like never before"- places King in the moral, God-favored, right
 * 8) he establishes himself as and active observer who acts on what he sees, similar to freedom riders, marchers, and other activists
 * 9) he subtly blames the white moderate especially the white clergymen of showing cowardice
 * IV.** Conclusion
 * **A.** //King is disappointed in the church//
 * **B.** //equality will be gained eventually, but if the goal is delayed further, the church will continue to degrade//
 * **C.** //join the fight against racial injustice and moderation//

 Section 7 -- A Critique of the Status Quo

Purpose: To shift the support from the Birmingham police, to the Negro demonstrators

In this section of the letter, King wishes the audience to avoid praising the police because they are using moral means to attain immoral ends. King believes that the Negro protesters have demonstrated far more discipline in their actions than the police did in theirs.
 * I. Thesis:**

A. Discussion of opposing viewpoints 1. The opposition believes that the police should be acknowledged for their restraint and discipline 2. The opposition praises the police for their nonviolent actions 3. It is wrong to fight agianst the law (implied indirectly). B. Argument against opposing viewpoints 1. King believes that the protestors showed more restraint than the police did; the praise for the police should go to the protesters 2. The nonviolence of the police is tainted by the fact that it is being done for unjust reasons 3. King provides current events as the evidents in showing that the police force had been mistreating the unarmed blacks.
 * II. Concession and Refutation:**
 * III. Confirmation of thesis**


 * **A. Logical appeals**

1. Uses imagery to justify his opposition to the Birmingham police 2. Uses anaphora, starting sentences with “…if you were to see…” 3. Utilizes the Southern dialect of Rosa Parks to show “everyman” characterizes 4. King uses quotation marks to show his skepticism in the police’s nonviolence 5. He uses “the South” to represent his audience, the white moderates 6. Uses hypophora to question police motives 7. Describes how his disappointment with the church and its leadership. 8. Said that he "hope" the church as a whole will meet the challenge of the decisive hour. 9. Explaining how things are different now and so often the contemporary of the church is weak. 10. He said that he was once being too optimistic.


 * **B. Emotional appeals**

1. Gives imagery of police dogs attacking protesters 2. Evokes a nostalgia by saying that the protesters are restoring American democracy 3. Evokes emotions for the elderly through describing their inhumane treatment 4. Brings up James Meredith, who was killed in the civil rights movement, evoking emotions based in death 5. Brings up about his disappointment and how he have to wept over the laxity of the church. 6. Describes his disappointment with the young people that he meets everyday. 7. Explains that he came to Birmingham with the hope that the white leadership of the community would see the justice of their cause. 8. Encourages that they will meet the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation. 9. Brings up Reverend Stallings and commended him. 10. Uses Anaphora to bring about the overflow of emotions and hammers the idea to the audience.


 * **C. Ethical appeals**

1. King notes that the attacks on were on unarmed, innocent Negros 2. States that those who are unloved, are fighting for the American dream 3. Brings support to the protesters because they supported the nation’s founding principles 4. Builds up credibility when he quotes T.S. Eliot 5. Said that together with them they will win their freedom because the sacred heritage of their nation and the eternal will of God. 6. Builds up credibility by bringing up historical context when he mentions Jefferson's work in the Declaration of Independence. 7. Said that he was suddenly catapulted into the leadership of the bus protest. 8. Brings up that he was a minister who loves the church. 9. Mentions his experiences as a clergymen to preach people of non-violence ideas.

 Conclusion

I. Restatement of claim: The African American protesters, not the Birmingham police, are the ones that should be praised, since the protesters used moral methods and sacrificed a lot to attempt to pursue a moral goal, while the police and the status quo are trying to prevent this goal from happening

II. Final appeals to needs and values: The people that stood up against the racial discrimination in a non-violent fashion were those that stood up for what was best for America of its sacred values of freedom.

III. Recommended action: The Clergymen including other people that had the same complains should look back and see with a clearer view of who were doing the immoral thing.