More handpicked essays just for you.
Benjamin banneker rhetorical strategies
Benjamin banneker letter rhetorical analysis
Benjamin banneker rhetorical strategies
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Slavery was a hard topic in America. Still is. Benjamin Banneker a decedent of former slaves,a farmer,mathematician, astronomer, author, and surveyor, was brave enough to write to Thomas Jefferson about his views on slavery. Banneker uses various rhetorical and literary techniques throughout his letter to persuade Jefferson to his own views.
The speaker, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter, describes the situation of the slaves and argues why he opposes it. Banneker’s purpose is to argue that slaves need their natural rights and liberties just like any other human because they are equal. During that time in the 1790’s there were many rural and urban slaves working in plantations and farms as field labors, maids, etc. They didn’t have any fair treatment or were paid, instead they were treated like animals without liberties. He adopts a disturbed tone in order to describe the horrendous treatment the slaves received to prove and discuss that to Jefferson.
Benjamin Banneker had ancestors that were slaves, so he felt he needed to show how cruel slavery is. Banneker wrote this letter to convey his message to Thomas Jefferson, secretary of state. Banneker utilizes rhetorical devices and rhetorical appeals to argue against slavery. Banneker presents repetition when saying, "Sir” to show respect toward Jefferson, despite disagreeing with the secretary of state’s views. "You" is repeated to keep the matters personal.
In 1791, the multi-skilled and intelligent Benjamin Benneker wrote to Declaration of Independence framer Thomas Jefferson arguing against the existence of slavery in the United States. The work, containing descriptions of the mental and physical fight of slavery to excerpts of distinguished texts, connects to establish a strong argument for the anti-slavery cause. Throughout the essay, Benjamin Banneker uses pathos, examples, and allusions to press Thomas Jefferson into sympathizing and empathizing with the injustices of slavery. Banneker utilizes examples to persuade and influence Jefferson. He recalls the tyrannical rule of the British Crown and the constrictive orders and imminent dangers that were endured during the American Revolution (5-8) to heighten the relatability of
Benjamin Banneker, son of former slaves, wrote to Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, in attempt to argue against slavery to achieve a solution. Jefferson and Washington were the secretary of state, and the President of the United States at the time, so in order to convince them Banneker has to be very persuasive so that they can even consider his proposition. Banneker uses three main tactics to try and persuade Jefferson and Washington, these tactics are: Comparing Jefferson’s and Washington’s experiences to his own and trying to find a common link for them to understand and identify themselves with, appealing to common sense, and he leaves room open to interpretation and lets Washington and Jefferson the ability to decide what to do about the problem. Banneker uses comparisons to find a common link with his audience, this tactic can be effective if used properly with relevant examples. What Banneker does is that he uses specific examples to compare, one of the examples he uses, is the American Revolution; He compares slavery to the lack of freedom that the U.S had when they were a British colony.
Slavery has sadly been in America from the start. Many have different opinions about slavery whether it should stay or be abandoned and forgotten. Although one person has written to Thomas Jefferson about one of history’s most important subject. Banneker starts it off by writing his strong views on how wrong slavery is not just listing all the problems, but in a letter that he uses strategies to make his view convincing. Benjamin Banneker uses rhetorical strategies such as ethos, logos, and various style elements to argue against slavery.
Benjamin Banneker in the letter, argues against slavery. Banneker uses biblical allusion, and a melancholic tone in order to argue against slavery to Thomas Jefferson in 1791. Banneker uses biblical allusion in order to demonstrate that all humans should be treated the same, and have equal rights. For example, “you cannot but acknowledge that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that it is the pecular blessing of Heaven” (Banneker 1). Banneker presents his argument by stating that Thomas Jefferson has freedom because of heaven, and he should extend the same right to everyone else.
Hypocrisy is one of the worst moral crimes someone can commit. Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson explains that he has committed this crime. He has gone back on his morale of everyone having unalienable rights by letting slavery continue to happen, and Banneker believes he is the prime contender in allowing this crime to happen and that he should be the start and make the move to stop slavery. Banneker explains this to Jefferson in such a way that the letter is both respectful and thoughtful while also being rude due to the use of how he phrases his sentences, that his argument can not be questioned because of his use of ‘Sir’ to show his respect, and his ardent choice of words which are all collectively used to explain how Jefferson is being hypocritical and show him why he should fix this.
On September 2nd, 1862, Abraham Lincoln famously signed the Emancipation Proclamation. After that, there’s been much debate on whether Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation truly played a role in freeing the slaves with many arguments opposing or favoring this issue. In Vincent Harding’s essay, The Blood-red Ironies of God, Harding argues in his thesis that Lincoln did not help to emancipate the slaves but that rather the slaves “self-emancipated” themselves through the war. On the opposition, Allen C Guelzo ’s essay, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America, argues in favor of the Emancipation Proclamation and Guelzo acknowledges Lincoln for the abolishment of slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation.
To begin, Banneker utilizes Aristotle’s “three modes of persuasion”: pathos, logos, and ethos. In his introduction paragraph, Banneker appeals to pathos when he demands the audience, Jefferson, “to recall to [his] mind that time in which the arms and tyranny of the British Crown” was in control of the colonists (Line 1-2). The author provides this analogy between the colonists’ situation with Great Britain and the slaves’ situation in order for Jefferson to relate to the slaves on a common ground. It helps trigger past, unpleasant memories of Britain’s autocratic rule in an attempt for the audience to feel empathy for the slaves. This technique is a logical approach to persuade Jefferson of Banneker’s argument against slavery since his introduction serves as a mechanism to connect two opposing social classes (the enslaved people versus authority figures); hence, Jefferson would more likely comply to Banneker’s belief that slavery should not exist.
One of the strategies Douglass uses to convince his audience slavery should be abolished is by “calling out American hypocrisy in his Fourth of July oration” (Mercieca 1). He shames them with no remorse. He speaks on the opposite treatments that enable whites to live in a state of freedom and liberty, while the blacks are living in a state of bondage. As the audience listens, he reminds them, there are men, women and children still held hostages to the chains of
he uses bold words and biting criticism to call attention to the gross injustices and hypocrisy of slavery in the United States. In the opening remarks of his speech, Douglas provides heart-wrenching descriptions to pull his audience into the lives of their fellow
Banneker wrote a letter that argues against slavery from a former slave’s son point of view. He has argued against slavery by demonstrating his knowledge through word choices and repetition, and showed respect through his tone. By doing so, Banneker was able to argue against slavery and provoke Jefferson’s emotions on
Although Banneker (1797) was not a slave he always referred to himself as one, he believed that he was on the same level of his people and felt the need to fight alongside them. Banneker (1791)cannot comprehend why the people of religious beliefs do not take a stand with the people of darker complexion, he acknowledges that people of lighter complexion are entitled to their rights of human nature more than the people of the darker complexion (p 51).Banneker (1791) says “ I hope you cannot but acknowledge, that it is the indispensable duty of those who maintain for themselves the rights of human nature and who profess the obligations of the Christianity to extend their influence to the relief of every part of the human race (p 51)”. Banneker (1791) desperately wants for people of religious beliefs and lighter complexion to stand up against slavery and in essence practice what they
According to Malcolm Forbes, “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” Education is the fundamental necessity of life. To get higher quality education is the basic right of every human being on this planet. But achievement of higher education is not possible without studying in college. College is actually a hub of knowledge where most talented and professional lecturers are ready to give you the essence of their expertise and life experiences (Hill, 2018).
