Argumentative Essay
What does it mean to investigate a topic?
It means you decide to learn about a topic.
What is the first criticism?
The clergymen say that outsiders are coming to Birmingham and they have no right to be there.
What is Dr. King's response to the first criticism?
Dr. King says two things. First, that he is the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which operates in every Southern state. He also says there is no such thing as an outsider for an American in any state. One of these two reasons is sufficient for full points.
What is the first step in a campaign of nonviolence?
It is the collection of facts to see if injustice exists.
What is a claim?
A claim is the position you take in an argumentative essay, which you will prove in the essay itself.
What does it mean to collect, generate, and evaluate evidence?
It means you find out all you can about the subject in as much depth as you can.
What is the second criticism?
The clergymen complain that there are demonstrations in Birmingham.
What is Dr. King's response to the second criticism?
Dr. King says it is not good that the clergymen are complaining about the demonstrations but not the segregation precipitating the demonstrations in the first place.
What is the second step in a campaign of nonviolence and what does it mean?
Negotiation, which means they will meet with leaders to try to work out a solution to the injustice.
What is an intended audience?
The intended audience is the group of people a writer or speaker is trying to reach with their message.
What does it mean to establish a position?
It mean to decided, based on the evidence you have acquired, what you think about the subject.
What is the third criticism?
The clergymen say that the timing of the protests is not right.
What is Dr. King's response to the third criticism?
Dr. King points out that people in power always tell people without power to wait, but nothing every changes.
What is the third step in a campaign of nonviolence and what does it mean?
Self-purification, which King defines as "First, King says, civil rights activists had to ensure that they could 'accept the blows without retaliating.' More importantly, King stresses neighbor-love as the basis for righteous indignation. Righteous anger, whether the anger of Jesus driving illicit money-changers from the Temple'" (www.christianpost.com)
What is tone?
Tone describes how a writer feels about a character, event, or subject.
What is an argumentative essay?
It is a genre of writing which requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position in a concise manner.
What is the fourth criticism?
The clergymen complain that laws are being broken.
What is Dr. King's response to the fourth criticism?
Dr. King says that unjust laws are being broken, such as those uphold segregation or Jim Crow rules.
What is the fourth step in a nonviolent campaign and how do you define it?
Direct action, which means a combination of protests, sit-ins, marches, and boycotts to try to force negotiations to end injustice.
What is the tone of MLK's letter?
His tone is calm and respectful.
Why is "Letter from Birmingham Jail" a clear example of an argumentative essay?
Dr. King clear establishes a position, explaining why his organization is staging protests in Birmingham, and explains it with clear reasons and evidence.
What is the fifth criticism?
The clergymen call the protestors extremists.
What is Dr. King's response to the fifth criticism?
What is a nonviolent campaign?
It is a movement which seeks to address injustice without using violence. It consists of four steps.
What is negative peace?
Negative peace is peace which a community enjoys even though terrible injustice is happening beneath the surface.