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Examples Of Rhetorical Strategies

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During week four of this course, we learned many things about basic rhetorical strategies, and critical reading such as Division and Classification, Repetition and cause and effect analysis. By analyzing and understanding how a writer uses rhetoric in different situations, you can begin to use these strategies in your own life to communicate more effectively. After learning these strategies, it is easy to identify them in use in nearly every piece of writing we encounter. Such as, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” written by Martin Luther King Jr. on April 16, 1963.
In order for you to completely understand the letter, you must know why it was written. As stated in “Gospel of Freedom: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail …show more content…

He expressed that he was sorry that they did not share a concern for conditions that brought the demonstrations, as they had called his actions deplorable. He informs them that direct action was a necessity as a sentiment was growing in the black community that would erupt into violence at any moment. The way the black community had been treated was the cause of direct action and if nothing had been done violence would have prevailed. He continued by stating that the laws they violated were unjust as they were only trying to do what was right. He states that he wishes they would’ve commended the demonstrators for their courage and that one day the entire South would recognize them as heroes and would realize they were standing up for the American dream. Little did King know that 54 years later, the letter he wrote would be a great part of American …show more content…

Based on this week’s readings from the book rhetoric and composition/rhetorical analysis you can clearly see the use of this strategy in King’s letter. The book defines cause-and-effect analysis as analyzing why something happened and detailing the events leading up to what happened. At first, King gives the purpose of the analysis by stating that he is in jail. He continues to give reasons and explanations on the causes that led up to his jailing. He explains the effects that segregation and mistreatment had caused sentiment among the black race and was reaching a boiling point. He explains that if that emotion were not channeled in a nonviolent way there would be violence in the streets. He expresses in detail why direct action was not only wise but courageous. A good example of King using cause-and-effect would be when he states, ”in your statement you asserted that our actions, even though peaceful, must be condemned because they precipitate violence. But can this assertion be logically made? Isn't this like condemning the robbed man because his possession of money precipitated the evil act of

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