AP English Rhetorical Analysis test- "Letter from Birmingham Jail"

How does MLK Jr Appear fair while connecting to the audience?

Using compliments such as "fellow," "Genuine," and "sincere".

What shared values does MLK use while connecting with the audience?

Referencing God, Jesus, and equality.

What is the thesis of MLK Jr.'s Letter?

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

What is the meaning of the thesis in MLK Jr.'s letter?

Community vs. the individual

What is the purpose of paragraph 2 in MLK Jr.'s letter?

To establish credability.

What refutation does MLK Jr. use in paragraph 2 of his letter?

Invitation, interjecting how he is the president of the FCLC

What is the purpose of paragraph 3 of MLK Jr.'s letter?

Defining the issue of injustice.

What is the evidence used in paragraph 3 of MLK Jr.'s letter?

Old testament prophets, New Testament Paul, gospel of freedom

What is the main point of paragraph 4?

Injustice/threat

What is the evidence used in paragraph 4 of MLK Jr.'s letter?

Interrelations, mutuality, outsiders vs. insiders

What is the purpose of paragraph 5?

To prove that the opponents are not concerned with issues that caused demonstrations.

What rebuttal does MLK Jr. use in paragraph 5 of his letter?

Outside Vs. Inside

How does MLK Jr. Concede in paragraph 5?

Using "It is unfortunate," makes King seem reasonable. Appealing to logic, cause/effect

What is the first step to a non-violent campaign?

Collecting facts

What is the second step to a non-violent campaign?

Negotiation

What is the third step to a non-violent campaign?

Self-Purification

What is the last step to a non-violent campaign?

Direct action

What is the first piece of evidence that MLK Jr. used to justify the protests?

Birmingham is the most segregated city in the country.

What is the second piece of evidence that MLK Jr. used to justify the protests?

The record of police brutality.

What is the third piece of evidence that MLK Jr. used to justify the protests?

Unjust treatments in court.

What is the last piece of evidence that MLK Jr. used to justify the protests?

Unsolved bombings of churches and schools.

What is the point of paragraph 7 in MLK Jr.'s letter?

They attempted to negotiate to remove racial signs, but it did not work.

What is the central claim of paragraph 8 in MLK Jr.'s letter?

Self Purification. King was trying to plan a protest on Easter, which is the 2nd most lucrative shopping holiday, Causing an economic withdrawal. Also pointing out that your body's a vehicle of protest.

What is the purpose of paragraph 9 in MLK Jr.'s letter?

Pointing out that the opposition wanted to postpone the protest.

How does King refute the attempt to postpone the protest?

By claiming he has already postponed the march twice.

How does MLK Jr. anticipate and refute his opponent's argument in paragraph 10?

He asks rhetorical questions, used to advance an argument. He concedes that the negotiation is "right."

What is MLK's refutation in paragraph 10?

Defining the purpose of the nonviolent actions. Creates and fosters tension.

What example is used for the 10th paragraph in MLK Jr.'s speech?

Socrates: "Gadfly" because he tries to foster creative analysis and objective appraisal.

What is the central idea of paragraph 11 in MLK Jr.'s speech?

Claiming direct action should enable negotiation via crisis monologue vs. Dialogue.

What does MLK Jr. say to refute the opponent's argument in paragraph 12?

The new mayor is as bad as the old one.

What is status quo?

The current state of a situation.

What is the evidence used in paragraph 12 of MLK Jr.'s letter?

Privileged groups seldom give up privilege voluntarily, groups are more immoral than individuals.

What is the claim in paragraph 13 of MLK Jr.'s speech?

Freedom must be demanded by the oppressed. Justice delayed is justice denied.

What is the MAIN situation of paragraph 14 in MLK Jr.'s speech?

Nobodiness.

What is the evidence used in paragraph 14 in MLK Jr.'s speech?

The "n-word," "Boy," Emotional and logical appeals.

What is an epithet?

A signifier used to dehumanise someone.

What is a periodic sentence?

Inductive reasoning.