Dr. King Analysis

English II:  Analysis of “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

10 points

In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Dr. King uses strong rhetorical appeals, or appeals to logic, emotion, and ethics.

 

1)   One page one, identify five details Dr. King provides that make him seem “credible” or trustworthy.

 

 

2)   On page two, Dr. King describes his four steps to the running a non-violent campaign.

What is the first step?  Paraphrase four details from that step.

 

 

3)   What is the second step?  Paraphrase two details from the text for that step.

 

 

 

4)    What is the third step?  Paraphrase two details from the text for that step.

 

 

5)   What is the fourth step?  Paraphrase two details from the text for that step. 

 

6)   On page three, the author identifies ten experiences that the southern African-American population experienced.  Identify four of them.

 

7)   Think about our use of SMARTIES.  Using the passage we have read, use a chart and identify as many of King’s use of these strategies. 

 

 

Part 2

For your section: 

a)    Just versus unjust laws: Page 3, last paragraph , “You express a great deal of anxiety. . ., ” to the end of page 4.

b)    The white moderate:  page 5 (64) “I must make two honest confessions. . . ,” to “quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity.”  

c)     Extremists: page 5, last paragraph “You speak of our activity. . . ,” to page 7 (66), “dire need of creative extremists.” 

1)     Identify examples of the author’s use of persuasive style, check your portion of the text for each of the following, and briefly record an abbreviated example: 

·         Allusion

·         Metaphor

·         Repetition

·         Antithesis (contrast)

 

2)     Consider the author’s use of SMARTIES.  Find two examples, and describe how they are used.

3)     Visit this link: http://writerswrite.co.za/155-words-to-describe-an-authors-tone. Which tone words (3) would match King’s tone in your section of the text? Why? 

4)     How would you describe King’s syntax, or deliberate use of sentence structure?  Does he have complex compound sentences?  Sophisticated use of punctuation?  Describe his overall writing style.