Strong Writing From An Even Stronger Man

3 Pages 842 Words

“Strong Writing from an Even Stronger Man”


Martin Luther King Jr’s letter from Birmingham jail has proven to be a perfect example of effective and persuasive writing. There are many techniques which he used including: repetition of important and sometimes disturbing statements, including issues that most people don’t want to talk about, and using quotes from many honored people in American history. Some of the people he used quotes from included: Jesus, Amos, Martin Luther, and Abraham Lincoln.
Early on in the letter King describes the issue of tension in society (679). He explains that he opposes violent tension but sees constructive, nonviolent tension as necessary for growth (679). He goes on to say that “Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered rb bealm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tensions in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding brotherhood” (679). This is a way he proves to the clergymen that he does not condone violent tension or agree with it. Instead he tells them he sees only nonviolent tension as constructive and good (679). By saying this, he shows that he will not agree or tolerate violence in any way. By adding what Socrates says, he backs up the idea that without te!
nsion no one will test what he or she hears. All people will do is listen to what others tell them and believe it as truth, without ever questioning the issues for themselves. Tension allows people to see other sides of issues and repute them, this way they are able to hear different sides of issues and eventually come to their own opinions on them.
(682). Further along in the letter he includes a section that is crucial to the statement he is ...