SLP Assignment



SLP Assignment

Introduction

From the time of the immemorial, the supporters of social justice have been utilizing the means of rhetorical strategies to grasp the attention of the seekers and stake their claims among their opponents. The leaders in the famous movement for civil rights for African Americans had adopted techniques of rhetoric in their speeches. In the year 1963, was arrested and put into jail for his social movements. On April 16, replied to the critics raised by eight clergymen who had doubts over his civil rights movement (Edinger, 2013). For this purpose, he wrote an extensive letter explaining his actions and silencing his critics. The response was directed towards these eight clergymen of the White church of the South. The response of Martin Luther King was publicly published. Some say this was deliberate action, as he wanted his followers that he hasn't stepped aside from his commitment for rights of African American, and all his actions supports this cause. To persuade his followers, the great Martin Luther King uses three famous Aristotle' ways of persuasion, which are ethos, pathos and logos. Firstly, he puts on own wisdom, knowledge and reputation and presents it to the audience. Secondly, through his letter, he raises sympathy from the readers by arousing their emotions. Finally, he presents the argument based on logic and fact, supported with citations from influential thinkers.

Discussion

In the letter, he presents his case that he is the spokesperson for the African American Community and he has ample authority to make his mark for the civil rights movement representing his community. In the second paragraph, where he reminds the audience that he was the president of Southern Christian Leadership conference, he reminds his position in religious community, thus allowing him stand equal to those eight clergymen. In the third paragraph, he gives the example of the Apostle Paul and his struggle to carry the message of Jesus Christ throughout the world (www.bu.edu). He relates it to himself by stating that he is the prophet of freedom and he would go around everywhere, where injustice is being done. This provides him integrity; a position that have it moral and religious grounds.

In the coming paragraphs, his letter grabs the attention of the readers. He does this by effectively creating a feeling of sympathy and proximity among his followers. His sole purpose in doing so is to arouse the emotions and feeling of ...