Written Argument Analysis: The Letter from the Birmingham

Jail

The purpose of this exercise is to help you as students to be able to read an

"argument" and dissect the elements of the argument. Unless you are already
trained, prior to this class, in the dynamics of argument, it would be most difficult
for you to simply read this written piece, the letter, and identify all of the
components, all of the ways King supports his position. At this stage of your writing,
what I am trying to do is give you exposure to some of the elements of argument,
some of tools King uses to support his case, so that you can begin to identify
argument tools of support.

Analysis of Rhetorical Principles

At this point, you have been exposed to first Rhetorical Principles, as well as
mapping, and the "dialectic" method of reasoning. So I want you to use these
tools to enable you to develop "reasoning muscles." You may use these tools
however you see fit to analyze Kings' argument.However, you must begin with
stating the Rhetorical Concepts imbedded in the argument: Why is King writing, that
is to say, what is his purpose- his position; to whom is he writing, that is to say,
who is his audience; and what is the context, or the kairos, the circumstances of the
writing- what is going on locally, nationally, the issues at play here, where his
audience is coming from about those issues. etc.

Then, proceed to point out his supports- like the issue of justice, the OT prophets,
Jesus ministry, historical situations relating to this. These are the kinds of things that
using a tool like the "mapping" should help you with. Again, however, be sure to
present the "dialectic," what is the issue and what are the two sides of the issue.
That is to say, what supports do his opponents lean on and what are Kings
responses to those supports, as well as His side of the argument and his opponents
opinions regarding those positions.

Drafts

Your first draft is a first attempt. Two drafts will follow. Each one will be an
expansion and improvement on the previous. You are evaluated on your effort. The
exercise really is a way to reveal what you know and do not understand about
argument. Each of the major assignments is worth only a total of 10 points. 2 Points
is given for good effort on the first draft turned in on time. About 3 pages is
expected, always preferred double space, but I'm looking at a word count of 350-
400 words per page, simply because i think it will take you that much space to put
forth the content. Your second draft is expected to be expanded to an additional
page, and again the final draft should be about the same, 3-4 pages and represent
an expansion of research and argument analysis.

Grading
 In addition to the points attributed to each essay draft, the grading of each draft
will be based on three components: 1/3 to grammatical issues, 1/3 on the
evaluation of the argument, and 1/3 on general essay presentation- improvement in
readability, flow, and development of your argument and analysis.

I'm sure you all will do fine, just start where you are and do the best you can.