Final answer:
Martin Luther King, Jr. uses ethos in his “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” to establish his credibility and appeal to the ethical values of the readers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Martin Luther King, Jr. uses ethos in his “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” to establish his credibility and appeal to the ethical values of the readers. Ethos is an appeal to ethics or the credibility of the speaker or writer.
One example of ethos in King’s letter is when he references his role as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization dedicated to the promotion of civil rights through nonviolent means. By highlighting his leadership position and affiliation with the SCLC, King establishes himself as a respected figure within the civil rights movement and someone who has the authority to speak on the issue.
Another example of ethos is when King mentions his status as a minister and his familiarity with religious texts. He makes references to biblical figures and religious principles to connect with the religious beliefs of his audience and appeal to their sense of morality and justice.
By using ethos, King enhances his credibility and persuasiveness in his letter, making his arguments more compelling and convincing to his readers.