Letter from Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Choices

What rhetorical device is the following quote most likely an example of? "When you are humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading 'white' and 'colored'"

• Ethos

• Pathos

• Logos

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

• He was born in Birmingham.

• He has organizational ties in Birmingham.

• He has many relatives in Birmingham.

• He went to college in Birmingham.

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

• All citizens are equally threatened by justice.

• Discrimination does not exist in rural areas.

• All laws are unfair and should be ignored.

• Everyone is affected when one person is hurt.

How did Dr. King appeal to his audience? 

• He compared them to children

• He appealed to their sense of justice, fair play, and patriotism

• He reminded them of the homeland from which they have come

• He made them angry about their history by repeatedly referring to slavery 

What is the argument in this letter?

• He was defending the laws already in place.

• He was fighting for woman's rights.

• Defending both his right and his moral grounds for organizing nonviolent protest activities in support of the civil rights of African Americans.

• He defends that view of breaking laws when those laws are unjust.

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

• end the bombings of homes and churches.

• create tension so that people have to confront an issue.

• halt the activities of both merchants and consumers.

• draw the sympathy of the religious community and moderate whites.

Dr. King alludes to Paul Tillich's opinion that sin is separation to...

• illustrate that he reads the Bible.

• show church leaders how they have sinned.

• strengthen his argument against segregation.

• suggest that Paul Tillich is on his side.

An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law or natural law. Dr. King uses this allusion to St. Thomas Aquinas to...

• encourage citizens to break laws they disagree with.

• support the view that segregation laws are unjust.

• assert that all laws must be obeyed.

• impress other clergymen with his knowledge.

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

• He was born in Birmingham.

• He has many relatives in Birmingham.

• He has organizational ties in Birmingham.

• He went to college in Birmingham/

Why does Dr. King say that he is answering the clergymen?

• They have acted in an unwise way.

• King uses letter-writing to bring about change.

• Their letter shows them to be extremists.

• He believes them to be sincere and good.