MLK

1
MLKs Letter from Birmingham JailToulmins
Graphic Organizer

• Analysis of Paragraphs 2 - 4

2
Because
What evidence does MLK base his claim on?
What does MLK want to prove in this passage?
therefore
He (MLK) is not an outsider to Birmingham. (CLAI
M)
As the president of the SCLC, a Christian, and an
American, it is his duty to fight injustice in
Birmingham (DATA)
since
(REBUTTAL)
How does the data support the claim? Why
is/should the claim be important to MLKs
audience?
What additional evidence does MLK give to support
his claim?
As a rule Fighting injustice anywhere in the US
should be the concern of any American If there
is injustice anywhere in the US then any
American can and should act against
it (WARRANT)
-MLK is president of the SCLC which has 85
affiliates and operates in every southern
state -SCLC helps their affiliates -The
Birmingham affiliate (Alabama Christian Movement
for Human Rights) invited King and his
organization to stage non-violent demonstrations
in Birmingham. -MLK, acting as a man of God, is
similar to the prophets and Paul, spreading
Christian ideals -Christian prophets traveled to
spread the gospels of Jesus -St. Paul carried the
gospel to all parts of the world (GROUNDS)
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice
everywhere All communities and states are
interrelated Whatever affects one directly,
affects all indirectly Americans can never be
considered outsiders anyplace in America (BACKING)
Does MLK consider other positions?
What evidence does MLK give to support his
warrant?