Letter from Birmingham Jail

Identify two details that King says make Birmingham unique among United States cities.

(59-71) King says that Birmingham is probably the most segregated city in the South. (60-62) He then states that there have been more unsolved bombings in Birmingham than in any other city.

What is a moratorium?

A temporary stoppage

What does cognizant mean?

Aware

According to King, the purpose of direct nonviolent action is to

Create tension so that people have to confront an issue

King compares himself to early Christian prophets because they

Did not submit to unjust laws

Which persuasive appeal is King utilizing when he refers to his religious affiliations?

Ethos

What does King mean in lines 37-38 when he says, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"?

Everyone is affected when one person is hurt

In his opening paragraph, King says that he rarely pauses to answer criticisms, but he is replying to the clergymen because

He believes them to be sincere and good

What is the basis for King's argument against the idea that he is an outsider who came to Birmingham?

He has organizational ties in Birmingham

How does King define just and unjust laws?

King defines just laws as "manmade code[s] that square with the moral law or the law of God" (lines 196-197). Unjust laws are "code[s] that are out of harmony with moral law" (lines 199-200).

What claim is King supporting in his argument?

King is supporting his claim that breaking an unjust law and accepting the penalty to demonstrate injustice to society is actually expressing respect for law.

How does King show awareness of and respect for his intended audience of clergymen?

King shows a keen awareness of and respect for his intended audience of clergymen by opening and closing with references to shared concerns and common brotherhood. Throughout his letter, King appeals to his audience's shared values by making a moral Christian argument and by referencing Christ and other religious leaders and thinkers (lines 28-34, 196-212, 248-253, 387-395, 497-510).

Aristotle defined three types of persuasive appeals: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Identify and explain which one King uses most effectively. Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.

Opinion of which persuasive appeal is used most effectively. Answer must include statement of opinion, explanation of opinion, textual evidence, explanation of textual evidence, topic sentence, concluding sentence, and transitions.

Which persuasive appeal does King use when he mentions his five-year-old son asking, "why white people treat colored people so mean"?

Pathos

In line 210, King alludes to Paul Tillich's opinion that "sin is separation" to

Strengthen his moral argument against segregation

To retaliate means to?

Take revenge

According to King, what are two of the four basic steps in a nonviolent campaign?

The four basic steps are: (1) "collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist," (2) "negotiation," (3) "self-purification," (4) and "direct action."

King uses the evidence that other nations are gaining political independence to argue against

Waiting for freedom

What might be a provocation for war, breaking a treaty or signing one? Why?

breaking a treaty; explain

If my actions precipitate an accident, do I cause the accident or prevent it? Why?

cause the accident; explain

If a motive for a crime begins to manifest itself, will it be easier or harder to prove the suspect's guilt? Why?

easier; explain

If a movie reflected a society's mores, would it show traditional or unconventional practices? Why?

tradional; explain

If you show complacency toward a bossy friend, how do you respond to his or her demands? Why?

you go along with them; explain