In the paragraph beginning with “My friends, I must say to you …,” Martin Luther King Jr.'s word choice conveys a tone of urgency and frustration. The use of direct address, such as “my friends,” establishes a personal connection, yet the contrast between friendship and the serious issue at hand enhances the gravity of his message. Phrases that emphasize the immediacy of the struggle against injustice evoke a sense of impatience, while references to mundane actions, like drinking a “cup of coffee at a lunch counter,” highlight the absurdity of segregation. Overall, this combination of language underscores his determination and the deep emotional weight of the civil rights movement.
LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL
Credit Line: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” April 16, 1963. The Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr.
In 3–5 sentences, explain how the speaker’s word choice and the relationships among words in the paragraph beginning with “My friends, I must say to you …” and ending with “... cup of coffee at a lunch counter.” produce a specific tone.
(4 points)
1 answer