ipl-logo

Benjamin Banneker Letter To Jefferson And Washington Rhetorical Analysis

504 Words3 Pages

In a prompt by Benjamin Banneker, the writer reveals his anger over the injustice of a state of slavery. He would like the reader to know about the unfair treatment of these individuals and the injustices that they regularly face. The writer of this essay creates a strong impression about the unequal distribution of rights in his environment. To try and explain his thoughts on the subject, Banneker uses a variety of rhetorical strategies in his letter to Jefferson and Washington. First of all, Banneker uses antithesis in his letter to Jefferson and Washington. Antithesis was specifically used in this passage between lines 24 and lines 41. Within these lines, Banneker states how “how pitiable it is to reflect that although you were so fully convinced of the benevolence of the Father of those rights and privileges which he had conferred upon them, that you should at the same time counteract his mercies in detaining by fraud and violence.” he goes on to counteract the previous statement that has a similar setup as the previous, but refers to the complete opposite. This use of antithesis works to help express to the reader the multiple point of views of the people that Banneker is referring to. It also allows him to convince the reader to agree with his side in the argument presented because of the way in which each of …show more content…

Banneker directly references the Declaration of Independence in his letter to Jefferson and Washington. He also specifically mentions a portion of the Preamble of the Constitution that states “We hold these truths to be self evident…” This allows him to make a direct comparison to his thoughts and what the Constitution states. In doing this, his point in arguing against slavery is strengthened because there is a reference. This strategy is also essential because it allows the reader to grasp a better understanding of what the letter is trying to

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter

    444 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker's Argument Against Slavery

    229 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter

    387 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Banneker’s letter is filled with a litany of examples to argue against slavery. Banneker was a farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, author, and the son of former slaves. Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, the framer of the Declaration of Independence and secretary of state. In this letter Banneker uses rhetorical strategies to argue against slavery such as being a hypocrite, using the word “sir” referring to Jefferson, and using examples of the declaration of independence of how it’s wrong with “all men created equal.” Banneker is a flat out hypocrite.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker

    305 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Techniques Of Mary Ann Shadd Cary

    416 Words  | 2 Pages

    This metaphorical language contributes to the author’s argument that slavery is immoral and should be rid of because it emphasizes freedom of speech as an “organ.” This “organ” is necessary for survival since it will allow blacks to speak their mind and others to hear their complaints.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker

    635 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis

    465 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Most men today cannot conceive of a freedom that does not involve somebody's slavery.” (W.E.B Du Bois). When asked about slavery, the majority of Americans in our day and age have a basic understanding of it’s history and how horrible it was. However, to Benjamin Banneker, it was much more personal. Banneker, born from a long line of slaves, defied the odds and became a successful scholar and activist.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker's Arguments Against Slavery

    697 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Billy Commencement Speech: The Rhetorical Analysis Of Billy Joel

    884 Words  | 4 Pages

    Another example of antithesis is “But people who don 't have this ability still need to find a way to give a voice to what they 're thinking and feeling, to find something that connects them with others.” He is making a contrast between musicians that can express their feelings through music and the non musicians who can not but still have the need to find something that they can relate to. The third literary device that was mentioned previously was allusion and this is used throughout the speech as well. “ No one eludes Uncle Sam 's tax man anymore.” Uncle Sam’s tax man is an allusion to America’s taxing laws and companies that take care of taxes.

    Read More

  • What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Essay

    636 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Slavery

    927 Words  | 4 Pages

    Slavery through the eyes of activists On December fifteenth, in eighteen sixty-five, the United States abolished slavery with the thirteenth amendment. Powerful individuals such as Frederick Douglass, David Walker, Nat Turner, Sojourner Truth, and Benjamin Banneker were people that longed to see the day that they would be free from slavery. Although these five individuals were never in contact with one another they all shared the same drive and motivation to change the way people viewed slavery for the better. These individuals accomplished their goal of changing slavery with a strong belief in god, a strong political voice and a light in them that never died.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker Letter To Thomas Jefferson Analysis

    651 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis

    470 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin Rhetorical Analysis

    1188 Words  | 5 Pages

    Audience as an Influencer When writing any type of composition, is the author consciously aware of who their audience will be? Benjamin Franklin started writing an autobiography of his life when he was about sixty-five years old. This self-narrative was written about Franklin’s life goals and accomplishments. The subject of who Franklin’s intended audience comes into question throughout the self-narrative.

    Read More

  • Meaning Of The July Fourth For The Negro By Frederick Douglass

    1110 Words  | 5 Pages

    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

    Read More

More about Benjamin Banneker Letter To Jefferson And Washington Rhetorical Analysis

Open Document