MLK's "A Letter From Birmingham Jail"

MLK’s “A Letter From Birmingham Jail,” is long and powerful in it’s rhetorical techniques used. In the very beginning of the letter he starts off appealing to the readers’ by complimenting them. “But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statements in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.” He is complimenting the readers’ on their good judgment and character and starts the letter off on a high note. MLK then goes on to use examples from bible, other places (continents like Asia and Africa), and movements to let his readers’ know that he’s educated and rational. “…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.” He is appealing to the readers since many of them belong to the Methodist and other forms of churches in the south. MLK also thoroughly explains what he’s doing and more importantly WHY he’s doing what he’s doing to let the reader’s know that he is also a logical person.
“I think I should indicate why I am here In Birmingham-Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct-action program if such were deemed necessary. But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here.”
MLK acknowledges the fact that people are questioning why he is in Birmingham and goes in depth to explain what called him to be there. This way he lets his readers know that he’s not irrational in his actions. Throughout entire piece he says, “well you may think or say or other may…” and then goes on to explain why he’s doing what he’s doing, sometimes in spite of what others think should be done. “You may well ask: "Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Isn't negotiation a better path?" You are quite right in calling, for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action.” MLK makes a point of noting other people’s concerns and then goes on to confirm that their concerns have not been said in vain, but are actually the main driving force in the very campaign they all fight for. There are countless other rhetorical techniques MLK uses but the ones I feel that the ones I have noted are most significant in grabbing the readers and keeping them hooked into believing what he’s doing.