Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter To Thomas Jefferson
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AP Essay
In 1791, astronomer, mathematician, and author, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter addressed to Thomas Jefferson argues about slavery. Banneker’s purpose was to persuade Jefferson of the injustice of slavery and alter his view on it. Banneker adopts a formal yet condemning tone in order to appeal to Jefferson’s sense of moral character. He also uses several rhetorical techniques such as tone, diction, ethos, and pathos to make his position of the given subject clear.
Banneker begins his letter by having the reader recall a time “in which the arms and tyranny of the British Crown exerted every effort in order to reduce you to as State of Servitude.” He states this to show Jefferson the double standard of the American people, for they fought against England for freedom, however, then enslaved …show more content…
Banneker writes to Jefferson, “how pitiable it is to reflect that although you were convinced of the benevolence of the Father of mankind…you should at the same time counteract his mercies in detaining by fraud and violence.” Banneker highlights the inequality of people, who received blessing from God, and then simultaneously rebuked his gifts by snatched freedom away from Africans and placing them in “groaning captivity and cruel oppression.” The writer uses a mix of tone and diction to have the act of having slaves seem more personal; therefore have the words carry more weight. This is seen when could Banneker uses “you” to address Jefferson in, “that you should at the same time be found guilty of that most criminal act which you professedly detested in others.” His condemning and critical tone mixed with irrefutable evidence shames the reader. His use of ethos to guilt the reader and confront his ethical and moral character increases his effectiveness to write a compelling
AP Essay
In 1791, astronomer, mathematician, and author, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter addressed to Thomas Jefferson argues about slavery. Banneker’s purpose was to persuade Jefferson of the injustice of slavery and alter his view on it. Banneker adopts a formal yet condemning tone in order to appeal to Jefferson’s sense of moral character. He also uses several rhetorical techniques such as tone, diction, ethos, and pathos to make his position of the given subject clear.
Banneker begins his letter by having the reader recall a time “in which the arms and tyranny of the British Crown exerted every effort in order to reduce you to as State of Servitude.” He states this to show Jefferson the double standard of the American people, for they fought against England for freedom, however, then enslaved …show more content…
Banneker writes to Jefferson, “how pitiable it is to reflect that although you were convinced of the benevolence of the Father of mankind…you should at the same time counteract his mercies in detaining by fraud and violence.” Banneker highlights the inequality of people, who received blessing from God, and then simultaneously rebuked his gifts by snatched freedom away from Africans and placing them in “groaning captivity and cruel oppression.” The writer uses a mix of tone and diction to have the act of having slaves seem more personal; therefore have the words carry more weight. This is seen when could Banneker uses “you” to address Jefferson in, “that you should at the same time be found guilty of that most criminal act which you professedly detested in others.” His condemning and critical tone mixed with irrefutable evidence shames the reader. His use of ethos to guilt the reader and confront his ethical and moral character increases his effectiveness to write a compelling