46 pages 1 hour read

Martin Luther King Jr.

Letter From Birmingham Jail

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1963

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Essay Topics

1.

In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," King argues that "[I]njustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" (87). What does King mean when he says this? What does he gain in making this particular argument?

2.

King uses multiple persuasive appeals throughout the essay to support his argument. Identify examples of each kind of appeal used and explain why this appeal is likely to appeal to the particular audience for the essay.

3.

Review the eight Alabama clergymen’s “A Call for Unity,” which is widely available online. To which portions of their essay does King respond? Do you find his responses to be effective? Explain why or why not.