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A Rhetorical Analysis Of Abigail Adams Letter To Her Son

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In the letter Abigail Adams writes to her son while he is on a voyage to France with his father, she inserts many different rhetorical strategies in her writing. She uses different strategies such as emphasis and changing the reader's attitude, in a way that will help her son follow the right path in life. Adams' message to her son is clear, the journey to becoming a well rounded man takes a extensive amount of effort. Adams uses the rhetorical strategies to ensure her message is understood. Primarily, Adams illustrates her son's journey to establish that he needs to follow a certain path to become the best man he can be. In her letter, Adams says she met with an author who "compares a judicious traveler to a river." This comparison …show more content…

In a paragraph of her letter, Adams uses words like "advantages", "attention", "diligence" and "steady application." Her use of strong, motivational and empowering diction will help her son realize how important the qualities of a honorable man are. Later in her letter, Adams alludes to the once great leader, Cicero. She writes, "Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orator if he had not been roused, kindled, and inflamed by the tyranny of Catiline, Verres, and Mark Anthony?" She writes this to help her son recognize the struggles of becoming a strong leader, and the extensive outcome working hard can bring. Adams used her skill of emphasizing many important qualities of good character to change her son's outlook and attitude in working towards a successful life. In conclusion, Adams uses multiple rhetorical devices and strategies to send a message to her son. Her use of emphasis and attempting to change her son's attitude helps her message become clear. She wants nothing more than for her son to become a successful man, and she sends that message while properly using rhetorical

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