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Rhetorical Analysis Of 'The Father Of American History' By William Bradford

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“The Father of American History,” William Bradford, in an excerpt, titled “Starving Time,” from his historical book, describes the Separatist’s difficult first winter. Bradford’s purpose is to convey the events of this winter to younger generations and identify the men who got them through it to future generations. He adopts a serious and contemplative tone in order to begin an education on the Separatist’s journey for the future generations. Throughout this excerpt, Bradford uses multiple rhetorical strategies, such as the pathos appeal, imagery and diction, and the ethos appeal, to achieve his purpose of enlightening the younger generations on past events. Bradford emphasizes the situation in his historical text by utilizing a pathos appeal …show more content…

Bradford describes how bleak the people’s situation was, “especially in January and February, being the depth of winter, and wanting houses and other comforts; being infected with the scurvy and other diseases which the long voyage and their inaccommodate condition had brought upon them” (lines 10-12). The strategy of imagery used in the excerpt paints a picture of the Separatist’s trials and sufferings. The imagery allows the younger generations to mentally see the setting and scenery of the events and how it affected the people of the time. With great diction, Bradford explains how “in the time of most distress, there was but six or seven persons who to their great commendations, be it spoken, spared no pains night nor day, but with abundance of toil and hazard of their own health… did all the homely and necessary offices… willingly and cheerfully” (lines 13-15,16,17). In this example, Bradford uses the strategy of illustrative diction to establish a writing style that will emphasize these men and their importance during the winter. The diction used throughout Bradford’s writing gives a well-defined account for the younger generations, so they are able to fully understand the event and people included. Imagery and diction help educate the future generations on a topic by constructing a mental picture of the setting and an understanding of the

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