As Martin Luther King's iconic essay "Letter from Birmingham Jail' is a paragon of essay writing we are closely examining this essay to supplement instruction on using multiple layers of commentary and evidence and on using transitional devices to provide coherence. I first highlighted how King introduces new subjects by using repetition of the same phrase . We then noted how King also uses transitional words and phrases. Next, JP studied passages and discussed and identified the use of evidence and commentary as well how evidence can be categorized as ethos and pathos. We further studied King's use of deductive reasoning to explain the distinction between a "just " law and an "unjust " law. I placed the steps of King's deductive syllogism on the board after which JP in writing addressed a text question explaining how King uses logic to advance his claims.