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Copy your homework: Work on your memoir. Due April 20, 2012.

Word of the day:

Disobedience: failure or refusal to obey rules or someone in authority

The student continued to show disobedience by not wearing a tie to school.

Identify logos, pathos, and ethos on page 2 of Letter from Birmingham Jail .

Letter From BirmingHam Jail

Liscinsky 4/13/12

AIM

I will analyze Letter from Birmingham Jail in order to analyze how King uses rhetorical techniques to respond to the five claims made by the clergymen.

STANDARDRI.9-10.6. Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose.

RI.9-10.9. Analyze seminal U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (e.g., Washington’s Farewell Address, the Gettysburg Address, Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech, King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”), including how they address related themes and concepts.

ClAIMS OF THE CLERGYMEN

1.Racial injustice in Birmingham is a local matter; outside interference is inappropriate.

2.The demonstrations are “unwise and untimely.”

3.Nonviolent civil action is unlawful and unjustified.

4.Nonviolent civil disobedience involves “extreme measures” that could exacerbate racial unrest.

5.Racial injustice is best addressed through negotiation with local leaders and in the courts.

Racial Injustice in Birmingham is a local matter (Question 1)

King responds to the clergymen’s argument that racial injustice in Birmingham is a local matter; outside interference is inappropriate by arguing, “the affiliate [of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference] asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct-action program if such were deemed necessary...So I, along with several members of my staff am here because I was invited” which shows that King’s presence in Birmingham is necessary because the people feel that the current leaders and officials cannot rectify the problems being faced in Birmingham without outside help, hence their invitation of King to Birmingham.

The Demonstrations are “unwise and untimely.”

With your table identify King’s argument to the second claim. Remember to use the formula King responds to the clergymen’s argument that _______ by arguing, “_______” which shows __________.

Your Task

Identify where in his letter King Responds to the claims of the Clergymen by individually completing claims 3-5.

Continue to identify instances of logos, pathos and ethos as you read the letter. This will count as part of your grade.