Broadcaster Edward R. Murrow once said, “To be persuasive we must be credible; to be credible we must be credible; credible, we must be sincere." These words apply to any form of communication but are essentially powerful when considering written confirmations. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written as a peaceful rhetorical rebuttal intended to appeal to its eight clergy authors; who expressed their disapproval of Dr. King's actions and their timing. Reading “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr., the reader is convinced by his diverse writing style; that incorporates ethical, logical and emotional appeals. By using ethical arguments, Dr. King was able to address legality, spirituality, and morality. This is especially important since the readers of the documents were clergy of both Christian and Jewish faiths. Speaking about the law of the land that is currently being violated, Dr. King said that “we so diligently urge the people to obey the Supreme Court decision of 1954 outlawing segregation in the public schools” (64). Dr. King urged people to defend constitutional rights that were being openly violated. He continues in his letter by referring to the teachings of a Christian: «To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: an unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law» (64). . By citing a familiar, historical, and religious figure of good will as a reference, Dr. King's arguments are better received and more easily associated with the philosophy of a known and beloved saint. One of the most powerful ways he was able to portray the depth of depravity and the height of human intervention was by drawing attention...... to the center of the card...... whoever is innocent is developing a prevalent animosity toward whites. Combined, King's use of similes and metaphors paints a picture that cannot easily be dismissed or forgotten by the reader. With strong ethical, logical, and emotional arguments, King's artfully crafted letter is a highly effective rebuttal both defensively and offensively to his cause. Written deeply in a dark time, King's letter was an inspiration to himself and his intended audience of clergy. His undeniable ability to capture the attention of his readers visually, spiritually, and audibly make this enduring historical document a fantastic read and an example of almost perfectly executed rhetoric. Works Cited Jr., Dr. Martin Luther King. "Letter from Birmingham Prison." Miller, Brock, Sansom. Discovering a voice, a rhetoric for writers. Southlake: Fountainhead Press, 2009. 428. Book section.