An Analysis on Writing

For this blog post I will be analyzing a piece of writing. My intention when analyzing this text is to determine how the piece utilizes various requirements to be considered a rhetorical situation, as defined by Lloyd F. Bitzer. I will also use Amy J. Dewitt’s definition of the term “genre” to explore how the writing could be classified and how this classification effects the way the piece is written. Finally, I will use a term from my Writing and Editing in Print and Online class to show how the author utilized this term in his piece.

Initially, I was conflicted as to which way I would take this assignment. At first, I attempted to find a piece of writing that explicitly discusses grammar and how English is utilized by people in the same age group as me. However, I learned that finding articles that were suitable for the topic and centered around grammar were difficult to obtain. Thus, I started over and began thinking about my assignment from a different perspective. In the introduction of my blog, I touched on my appreciation for the lasting impact that words, speeches, and writing can have on history. We remember the words of historical figures long after they are gone and use them often. With this in mind, I have decided to analyze Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail.”

Here is a link to the website I used to read Dr. King’s letter: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/04/martin-luther-kings-letter-from-birmingham-jail/274668/

Lloyd F. Bitzer defines rhetoric as “a mode of altering reality, not by direct application of energy to objects, but by the creation of discourse which changes reality through the mediation of thought and action.” He then defines a rhetorical situation as one that “functions ultimately to produce action or change in the world.” When reading King’s letter, one can see throughout the paragraphs that he is writing the letter to bring change to America as a whole. He is using his words and experience as a black man in the twentieth century to shed light on the inequality among the races in the country.

According to Bitzer, a rhetorical situation has three major components, which are exigence, audience, and constraints. He defines exigence as an obstacle or something that is waiting to be done. In the case of King’s letter, the exigency would be the equality of all Americans, regardless of the color of their skin. Dr. King’s audience, would be those that oppose integration and complete equality during the time in which his letter was written and published. However, the letter is also targeted towards those that are facing inequality in America as well. Regardless, both sides of King’s audience would be considered a rhetorical audience by Bitzer. He defines a rhetorical audience as one that could be “influenced by discourse.” One of Dr. King’s reasons for writing this letter was to promote change and urge those reading to understand why it is so important for him to search equality. His main goal was to persuade his opponents to begin fighting alongside him for civil rights for all, which means half of his audience has the ability to be a rhetorical audience if they decide to stand up for what is right.

Constraints as defined by Bitzer are the “persons, events, objects, and relations which are parts of the situation because they have the power to constrain decision and action needed to modify the exigence.” There are many constraints that could be found regarding “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” A primary constraint would be the eight men that directly spoke out against Martin Luther King Jr and his nonviolent protests, which prompted him to pen this letter. Other constraints would be government officials that allowed segregation, discrimination, and injustice to be blatantly continue even as part of the country suffered for decades. Anyone that supported discrimination and segregation could be considered a constraint because they constantly worked against equality.

Amy J. Dewitt redefines genre as a “dynamic response to and construction of recurring situation, one that changes historically and in different social groups, that adapts and grows as the social context changes.” In my opinion, Dr. King’s letter is just that. It redefines the letter because not only is it a response to a group of people, but it is also a call to action. Often when people picture a letter they imagine something personal or heartfelt. King’s letter has personal accounts, but is not heartfelt. Instead, it is a public, outspoken, influential piece. The recurring situation of this genre is the discrimination that Dr. King and people of color faced on a daily basis for centuries. King used this recurring situation as the basis for his letter, while also making the letter genre his own.

Finally, I will incorporate the term, circulation, into my analysis about “Letter to Birmingham.” I chose circulation because I felt that the way in which this letter was published allowed for it to reach a much larger audience. “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was published in a variety of newspapers without King’s consent and later published in his book, “Why We Can’t Wait.” If his letter had only been published in his book, then only those that had purchased his book would have had access to it. Since the letter was also published in newspapers more people could get their hands on King’s influential writing. Audiences that would not have bought King’s book, such as people that disagreed with his ideas, were then exposed to his writing and even read it when they would not have read it otherwise. Even if those that opposed King did not change their minds about equality after reading his letter they still took the time to read his work.

Dr. King’s speeches and writings, including “Letter From Birmingham” will live on forever. His eloquent use of words is a major part of his legacy, and his quotes are often used during times of distress in not only the nation, but the world. Martin Luther King Jr. is just one example of a person whose words have had an impact on the history of mankind.