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An Analysis of Rhetorical Strategies Engaged in "Letter From

            Martin Luther King Junior's "Letter From Birmingham Jail" is an argument centered toward eight clergymen. Doctor King posses an emotional appeal to the clergymen and to everyone living in that era. He brings in to his argument biblical evidence supporting his opinions and bringing forth an unchallengable credibility. "In the beginning God created the earth." Man came a little bit later, quickly followed by woman. Unfortunately God forgot to create all men equal, it was up to our founding fathers to do that. Doctor Martin Luther King Junior leaped into the proverbial lion's den of the civil rights movement in the 1960's and found himself under attack not only by white supremacists, but also by the white moderate. .
             In "Letter From Birmingham Jail" it is evident that Doctor King's intended audience was the eight Alabama clergymen. Comprised of Catholics, Jews, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Baptists Doctor King wrote his letter in response to their public statement. It was evident from points Doctor King made that his intended audience was well rooted in Christian religion. To defend his presence in Birmingham Doctor King stated "Just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town". (King 586) This passage was one of the many examples of Doctor King rooting his points in the word of the Bible. These points would carry little meaning to readers who did not put their faith in the Bible. This point is further enforced by Doctor King's statement to the readers "My Christian and Jewish brothers"(King 591). With these facts in mind it is clear that Doctor King's audience was specifically the eight Alabama Christian and Jewish community leaders.
             To establish credibility with the audience of his letter Doctor King used a bit of ethos.


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