For this Final Assignment, you will write an essay based on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Letter from a Birmingham Jail you can access it here (Links to an external site.)

You will write an essay that covers the following topics:

• Define the purpose of the letter
• Summarize three main points of the letter,
• Who is his audience?
• Analyze the letter and describe how it fits into the Rogerian Model.
  • use explicit examples and the terminology (from your book) that informs the reader of the manner in which this letter meets the criteria for the Rogerian model.
  • how does the letter achieve the following: (HINT : Build your thesis around these items)
    • is non-confrontational, friendly
    • respects the views of others and allows for multiple truths
    • seeks to achieve some degree of agreement rather than absolutely convince
• Requirements:
  1. Must use MS WORD
  2. must be in MLA format (30 pts deduction for non-MLA format)
  3. 1250 word count
  4. use 3-5 quotes from the text
  5. Include a Works Cited

Answer preview

The purpose of the letter written by Dr. Martin Luther King while in Birmingham jail was to address the critics made about his activities by his fellow clergymen (King, pg. 183). Dr. King was involved in non-violent operations while in Birmingham. Also, the letter served the aim of explaining the critical steps in engaging in non-violent activities that were applicable in Birmingham. It also addressed the statement given by the clergymen concerning the untimely aspect of protests by black people. Dr. King also mentioned the moral responsibility of African Americans to disobey the unjust law of segregation in the letter. He was generally trying to justify his peaceful activities in Birmingham, which the clergymen deemed as violent. He also defends how he is considered an extremist by claiming that he chose love over hate in this form of the label. In the letter, Dr. King expressed his disappointment in the church and religious leaders. It is because he expected them to support his peaceful cause rather than oppose it. Also, Martin Luther King criticized the act of the Birmingham police officers’ excessive force when handling protesters. The letter clearly showed criticism of the clergymen who praised such officers since they seemed to have maintained law and order.  

Total : 1389 words