BEHS Unit 3 Assessment: Rhetorical Analysis

Who are King’s audience, and why is that significant?

• They are fellow religious leaders, so they should be thoughtful and equals.

• They are fellow religious leaders, so they should understand the opposing argument.

• They are fans of MLK Jr, so they should support him in whatever he says

• They are local political leaders, so they should understand his legal jargon.

Why does King use so many religious allusions?

• Because it is entertaining and thinks it will keep their attention better

• Because it is a common ground between him and his audience

• Because he thinks it will make him sound more intelligent

• Because he wants to be creative

I doubt that you would so quickly commend the policemen if you were to observe their ugly and inhumane treatment of Negroes here in the city jail; IF YOU WERE TO watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls; IF YOU WERE TO see them slap and kick old Negro men and young boys; IF YOU WERE TO observe them, as they did on two occasions, refuse to give us food because we wanted to sing our grace together. I cannot join you in your praise of the Birmingham police department.

Identify the rhetorical appeal utilized in the statement above.

• Polysyndeton

• Simile

• Anaphora

• Oxymoron

Look at the diction in the last two paragraphs (above) . What is King’s tone at the end of his letter?

*Click on the image to enlarge*

• Angry and vengeful

• Hopeful and encouraging

• Disgusted and surprised

• Sorrowful and hurt

What statement best describes Dr. King’s purpose in writing the letter?

• Dr. King hoped to explain why the discrimination of African Americans is immoral by giving specific examples of its harmful effects

• Dr. King sought to criticize white Americans who were supportive of his cause but who were too fearful of the Klan’s terrorism to take action to end racism.

• Dr. King attempts to encourage all Americans to end racism by joining the cause to defend civil rights for African Americans.

• Dr. King sought to respond to the criticism he received from people that he considered to be colleagues by addressing each of their claims.

“I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.”

What rhetorical appeal does MLK establish in the following quote?

• Ethos

• Pathos

• Logos

• Anaphora

“I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.”

What effect does the rhetorical appeal have on the audience in the following quote?

• It makes the audience feel a certain emotion.

• It shows MLK Jr. as a credible and trustworthy source.

• It uses facts and statistics to form a logical argument.

• It creates repetition to emphasize an intended message.

“As in so many past experiences, our hopes had been blasted, and the shadow of deep disappointment settled upon us.”

What rhetorical appeal is best represented in the following quote from the text?

• Ethos

• Pathos

• Logos

• Polysyndeton

“and just as the Apostle Paul left his little village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to practically every hamlet and city of the Greco-Roman world, I too am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular hometown. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.”

What Rhetorical Appeal did King use in the statement above?

• Ethos

• Logos

• Pathos

• Legos

Which word best describes King’s tone in the letter?

• Vehement

• Bitter

• Passionate

• Loving