Letter from Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Choices

In paragraph 24, King notes that "...they [white moderates] fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress". Identify the rhetorical device present above.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Juxtaposition

• Irony

Identify the rhetorical appeal Dr. King employs: "...when you have to concoct an answer for a five-year-old son who is asking: 'Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?'..."

• ethos

• kairos

• logos

• pathos

What counterargument does Dr. King present to the advice to wait?

• Democratically elected officials would not require African Americans to wait.

• Socrates would not have waited under the same circumstances.

• African Americans already have waited for more than 340 years.

• The 1954 Supreme Court decision has made it impossible to wait.

"I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state..." is an example of

• ethos

• pathos

• logos

What is the primary purpose of using logos in "Letter from Birmingham Jail"?

• To stir the reader's emotions

• To establish the moral high ground

• To appeal to the reader's logical reasoning and sense of justice

• To demonstrate the historical significance of the civil rights movement

How does King's use of counterarguments in "Letter from Birmingham Jail" serve to strengthen his position?

• By showing respect for the opinions of his critics

• By preemptively addressing and refuting potential objections

• By diverting attention away from the weaknesses in his own arguments

• By confusing the reader with multiple perspectives

What role does the historical context play in understanding the persuasive techniques used in "Letter from Birmingham Jail"?

• It is irrelevant; the techniques are timeless and can be applied in any context.

• It helps the reader understand the urgency and desperation of the civil rights movement.

• It detracts from the letter's arguments by making them seem outdated.

• It only serves to provide background information without affecting the letter's persuasive impact.

In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," how does King establish his credibility (ethos) with his audience?

• By showing his emotional vulnerability

• By demonstrating his knowledge of religious and historical texts

• By using complex vocabulary and syntax

• By expressing anger towards his critics

Which of the following best describes the use of logos in King's letter?

• An appeal to the emotions of the audience through vivid imagery

• The use of ethical dilemmas to question the morality of segregation

• The presentation of facts, statistics, and logical arguments to support his case

• The establishment of King's character and credibility as a leader

Which of the following best describes how King uses the appeal to ethos in his conclusion?

• By asserting his authority as a clergyman to make moral judgments

• By acknowledging the contributions of those who have supported the civil rights movement

• By appealing to the shared values and beliefs of all Americans

• By highlighting his own sacrifices for the cause of civil rights