Help students explore justice, civil rights, and powerful writing with this free worksheet bundle. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in 1963 while jailed for peacefully protesting segregation. He responded to white clergymen who urged patience, explaining why action couldn’t wait. These activities help students analyze how King used words to inspire change and fight injustice.
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What’s included in the bundle?
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The Letter From Birmingham Jail
This printable version of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter is perfect for displaying on the overhead for your entire class or providing students with their own individual copies. Have students circle words they are unfamiliar with, underline important sentences, or annotate the text as they read.
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A Brief Overview
This handout provides necessary background information for your students to understand what was happening at the time Dr. King wrote his letter. Filled with historical photographs and important context, it’s a perfect historical refresher before getting started.
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Comprehension Questions
Perfect for independent work or as a group activity, these questions get to the heart of what Dr. King was trying to convey to those who read his letter.
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An Analysis of Rhetorical Strategies
For older students, this activity is an excellent way to introduce (or practice identifying) rhetorical strategies. From his appeals for ethos, pathos, and logos to his use of allegory and diction, Dr. King was masterful in his rhetoric.
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Vocabulary Building
Some of the words in Letter From Birmingham Jail are complex, and this activity gives students an opportunity to dive into the vocabulary. By taking a closer look at the meanings of these words and how they’re used in the letter, they’ll gain a deeper understanding of how important word choice is when writing persuasively.
Ready to share this important text with your students? Grab our free Letter From Birmingham Jail worksheet bundle by clicking the button below.
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