Abigail Adams Letter To Her Son Rhetorical Analysis

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The wife of the second president of the United States and mother of John Quincy Adams (JQA), Abigail Adams, in a letter to her son written On January 19, 1780, advises him to grow during his voyage to France. Mrs. Adams’ purpose is to persuade JQA to follow her advice in order to become an exemplary individual. She adopts a motherly tone with the goal of helping him realize his potential while also utilizing endearing diction, lifting repetition, and heartwarming emotional appeals. Abigail Adams begins her essay by utilizing words that are generally associated with a motherly or affectionate figure. The use of this endearing diction helps Mrs. Adams construct a feeling of sincerity. By using the words “dear” and “hope”, she highlights her