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The Rhetorical Devices Used In Letter To Thomas Jefferson Banneker

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In his letter to Thomas Jefferson Banneker, a son of a former slave, uses multiple rhetorical devices to drive his point on why slavery should be abolished. Banneker politely informs Jefferson that he is a hypocrite. Banneker begins each paragraph with sir, he does this because he is writing to a very important white man and does not want to offend him. Banneker wants Jefferson to side with him so he is doing everything in his power to come off as a respectful person. In his letter, Banneker hints that Thomas Jefferson is a hypocrite. Just like every other white citizen of the United States, Jefferson just gained his independence from Great Britain. So of all people, Jefferson should know how it feels to be controlled by someone and how you
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1. What type of document is it? What is the title of the document? The type of document is a letter, titled Banneker 's Letter to Jefferson.

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He shows the politeness to allow Jefferson to note that race does not make one inferior and that Banneker thinks of him as an equal. By stroking Jefferson’s ego and showing him respect continually allows Banneker to have a more educated conversation with

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In 1791, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson attempting to show him the wrongs the United States are dealing with slavery. Banneker uses his high intellect to use descriptive language, he uses allusions to speak about biblical quotes, and historical events and other rhetorical devices to combat the problems with slavery. Banneker’s advanced knowledge at the time allowed him to use descriptive language to emphasize the subpar fairness to African-Americas at the time. Banneker notes that slavery is “apprehensions of the horrors of its condition,” stating that African Americans had a much more unpleasant experience than others in this time period. He also references the “groaning captivity and cruel oppression,” Banneker coveys

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In 1791, a son of former slaves by the name of Benjamin Banneker, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson about his belief and standpoint on slavery with major rhetorical responses backing his standpoint up. Banneker starts off his letter and continues throughout it by stating “sir.” He does this knowingly as it is a sign of respect and the fact Jefferson has more authority than him, as Jefferson was the Secretary of State at the time under President George Washington, and hoping to have Jefferson and other high and powerful men consider his point of view. Predating back to the early 1700’s, slaves were merely legal property in the United States, meaning the slaves had no rights. Free black men and women had no rights either.

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Benjamin Banneker hopes to bring the horrors of slavery to Thomas Jefferson’s attention and potentially end slavery. He accomplishes this with his logical organization of his essay, appeals to pathos and ethos, comparisons, flattery, positive and negative diction, allusions, examples, parallelism, and a call-to-action. Banneker respectfully reminds Thomas Jefferson of how horrible it was under Great Britain’s “tyranny” and compares this to slavery. By comparing the suffering in slavery to the suffering the U.S. endured under Great Britain. Banneker addresses Thomas Jefferson as “sir” and compliments him, building him up.

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The beginning of Banneker's letter strives to recall to Jefferson's memory the strife of the pre-1776 colonies against the tyrannical British Crown. Banneker initiates the letter by writing, "Sir, suffer me to recall to you. " Banneker utilizes the word "sir" numerous times throughout the letter as he does in his introduction. Banneker does this in order to establish a formal tone that remains consistent throughout the letter. Banneker practices a

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Hi Anecia, Your viewpoints on Benjamin Banneker exposed several of valuable details, one for example Banneker rhetorical strategy was effective yes, I agree with this statement about Banneker, in other words, he was letting Franklin Jefferson know that there were African Americans who possessed intelligence. Otherwise his ability to complete an almanac would be impossible. However, I find it hard to conceive that out of all the hundreds and hundreds of slave Jefferson purchased and kept in slavery until his death; not one indicated traits of intelligence. Therefore can one assume that Jefferson’s letter written true purpose was to keep slavery going because of his economic status was at the state or to introduce the negativity of a race

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Banneker’s decision to utilize pathos so heavily works well because it establishes a connection between his and Jefferson’s experiences. The hardships endured by the men could not be expressed in the most effective manner if Banneker’s argument relied on ethos or logos, as in this instance, a statistic would not be as successful in establishing empathy, and therefore, persuasion. Ultimately, the language used, combined with the emotional phrases and diction, creates an argument in which Jefferson is beckoned and drawn to sympathize with the injustices of slavery. Banneker also utilizes allusion to further influence Jefferson’s opinion. Beginning with a direct quote from the proclamation (21-25), Banneker alludes to the Declaration of Independence to further strengthen his argument against slavery.

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Benjamin Banneker, in his letter to Thomas Jefferson, offers a series of arguments against the institution of slavery through a respectful tone, references to history, and the Bible. As a son of former slaves, Banneker is seeking justice for the black population and uses Jefferson’s own words against him as he speaks on behalf of “Black America.” He shares his opinions with Jefferson, who is higher authority, in a respectful manner while still managing to criticize him. Banneker starts off his letter to Jefferson by calling his “Sir.” He refers to Jefferson this way because he wants to be respectful to this man who exists as a higher authority as a politician.

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Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slaves, writes to secretary of state Thomas Jefferson about the dispute over slavery in America. Banneker is a free man and believes slavery is morally wrong. He chooses to write particularly to Thomas Jefferson because of Jefferson’s negative inclination towards African-Americans as well as the fact that he is in charge of domestic policy. Ultimately, Banneker wants Jefferson to come to his own realization that slavery is wrong and that equality shall remain supreme in America. Banneker provides a syllogistic argument in order to remind Jefferson of the past.

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He uses parallelism to make him sound very nice and calm. Furthermore, he says, “sir’ in the beginning of every paragraph. Banneker wants make Thomas Jefferson think his letter isn’t a straight argument about slavery. Banneker is just trying to inform him about slavery, not to argue heavily on it. Banneker saying “sir” makes Jefferson believe that even though he is being told his sins Banneker still has some respect for Jefferson.

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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.

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Banneker talks about how Jefferson and people like him (white) have “miraculous and providential preservations” and how Banneker and his people “suffer” and “variety of dangers”. Jefferson and his people fought for freedom and got it and were now able to be how ever they want, while the slaves have to deal with the same treatment as before. By pointing this out he shows how Jefferson is being no better than those he fought against. Therefore for everything they fought for to be true to the core, they must put an end to slaveholding. Banneker uses irony again in his use of grotesque language to show the injustice of slavery.

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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.

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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

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