In his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. employs various strategies to build a sense of trust and respect between himself and the white clergymen who criticized him in their letter. Through the use of persuasive language and by pointing out areas of agreement, King attempts to establish common ground in the Rogerian Argument style.
One of the strategies King employs is the careful selection of words. He employs a respectful and courteous tone throughout the letter, addressing the clergymen as "Dear Fellow Clergymen" and expressing his appreciation for their concern for his well-being. By using polite language, King establishes himself as a reasonable and credible communicator, thereby increasing the likelihood of his message being heard and considered by the clergymen.
Furthermore, King acknowledges the clergymen's authority and their commitment to their religious beliefs. He acknowledges their status as spiritual leaders and understands that they genuinely care about their communities. This acknowledgement emphasizes the common ground between King and the clergymen, as they both share a commitment to the well-being of society.
Additionally, Dr. King identifies points of agreement between himself and the clergymen. He highlights their shared belief in the power of dialogue and negotiation, stating, "I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effects and does not grapple with underlying causes." By recognizing their mutual desire for peaceful resolution, King establishes a foundation for a productive conversation.
Moreover, King emphasizes the shared values of justice and equality that he believes both he and the clergymen uphold. He argues that their common religious and moral convictions should lead them to recognize the injustice of segregation, as it contradicts the principles of fairness and equality advocated in Christianity. By making this argument, King appeals to the clergymen's sense of righteousness and attempts to align his cause with their own moral beliefs.
Dr. King also addresses the clergymen's criticism of his involvement in the civil rights demonstrations, portraying it as a misunderstanding. He explains that he was invited to Birmingham by local activists and that he has a moral obligation to respond to injustice wherever it occurs. King further emphasizes the shared goal of freedom and justice, stating, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." This statement positions himself and the clergymen as allies in the fight against injustice, fostering a sense of camaraderie and trust.
In conclusion, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. utilizes various strategies to establish common ground and build trust with the white clergymen in his "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Through the use of persuasive language, acknowledgement of their authority, identification of shared values, and addressing their concerns, King seeks to bridge the gap and encourage a respectful and productive dialogue. By employing these strategies, King attempts to convey his point of view and convince the clergymen of the righteousness of the civil rights movement.
write an essay that explains the strategies Dr. King uses to try to build a sense of trust and respect between himself and the clergymen (He tries to establish common ground in the Rogerian Argument style). Of course, you may want to use examples of his common ground strategies found in other parts of the letter, not just the first two pages. Also, you may include parts of the clergymen's letter as well when you refer to their letter.
Strategy means an approach, method, or action. His strategy is seen in the words that he used. What words did he use? How did he try to establish common ground by identifying points of agreement between the audience and himself? What did he think they could agree on?
Common ground means that we (the writer and his/her audience) have something in common or we have something that we can agree on. Think about this: Why would he want to establish common ground with the white clergymen who attacked him in their letter to which he is responding? They criticized the civil rights demonstrations and called King an outside agitator. Their letter was published in the local newspaper. When someone showed it to Dr. King, he decided to write a response. The object of a Rogerian-style argument is to convince the opposing audience that your position and point of view are right. What strategies does King use to try to get these white clergymen to understand his point of view?
Did King identify the ideas and beliefs that he and the clergymen share or have in common? How is he responding to their attack? Your answers should help you identify what strategies he uses.
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