Within the incisive “Polly Baker’s speech,” Benjamin Franklin satirizes the patriarchal structure of the judicial system that unfairly judges women. Franklin utilizes a sardonic persona of a “poor” 18th century women being “persecuted for the fifth time, for having a bastard child” who only wants her “fine remitted.” Through his judicious use of hyperbole and his persona’s rhetorical conditional statements, Franklin produces a sarcastic tone in Polly Baker’s speech and ridicules the “great men” who enforce the institutionalized bias against women under the rule of law.
Although Benjamin Franklin was well known as an inventor, a Post Master General, and “One of the Founding Fathers of the United States”, he was also known for being a leading author of his time. Among all his works of writing, “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker” caught my attention immediately due to the content of his writing. Even though the exact date it was written is unknown (but most likely in 1746), it was first published in The General Advertiser, on April 15, 1747, pseudonymously. It tells of a woman being on trial for having her fifth child out of wedlock, even though she has been punished for it previously. Throughout the speech she justifies her actions by telling the court that she alone could not make a baby, but yet she is the
Throughout the speech the rhetorical devices that were most present were ethos, parallel structure, and hypophora. The author begins the essay by using ethos. She notes that majority of the students for whom the speech is for are current and past student of hers. Giving her credibility to address them since she once taught them. Another example of ethos is found closer to the end of the speech in which she reminisces on meeting some of the students as freshman and they joy she has at being able to have watch them grow over the course of their high school years with caressing works such as”, and I must say that it is truly a joy to watch and experience you become powerful forces of nature right before our eyes.
In Barbara Bush’s speech at the Wellesley college commencement in 1990. I believe that her main ideas are to remind the students that success is not defined by social expectations by unique personal goals when listening to her speech! I also feel that she is warning us on labeling others that we don’t know much about, that when she starts to talk about Alice Walker the famous writer of (The Color Purple) Bush also used demographic, the audiences gender age, and cultured, psychographic analysis which focuses on their beliefs values and life experiences and situational analysis, which also focuses on the setting and mood of the audience. Now with her examples she uses a story by Robert Fulghum about a young pastor finding himself in charge of
Charlie Presti HST-201-02 28 October 2016 Anne Hutchinson Anne Hutchinson was vocal about what she believed in, and no one or thing was going to stop her. “A Radically Different Voice: Gender and Language in the Trials of Anne Hutchinson”, captures the struggles and conflict of Anne Hutchinson in the 1630’s. This article was written by Lad Tobin who focuses on gender differences and roles and how language was used and interpreted between men and women (1). An analysis of Anne Hutchinson 's trials over expressing her opinion and beliefs to the most powerful ministers starts making people think twice about their role as a male or female and how their language is communicated to a listener.
Barbara Jordan gave a powerful speech regarding President Nixon and his possible impeachment for the Watergate Scandal. Throughout the speech, Jordan expressed her standpoint and reasoning as to why Nixon should be impeached. The main argument that Jordan presents in this speech is that the President should be impeached due to his actions that jeopardize the people of the United States and the Constitution. Barbara Jordan uses a great deal of effective language within her speech. I found her to be very eloquent and expressive when she spoke.
I have never attended Catholic Mass. It almost seemed like stepping into a different country. Although he did not state his name and credentials, his attire, formality, and title allowed everyone know that he was a priest. The topic of the speech concerns our human nature to bargain and diminish another person’s work.
Wendell Phillips, a prominent white American abolitionist, gave an empowering and reverent speech regarding his admiration for former slave and Haitian general, Toussaint-Louverture. Phillips uses the power of figurative language and rhetorical devices to reveal an unmistakable abolitionist passion for African American rights, and attempts to ignite this enthusiasm into the hearts and minds of the audience through his zealous attitude. Phillips employs hyperbole, understatement, and metaphor to persuade the audience that the support of African American soldiers will be an influencing aspect in an impending American victory. The speech is rife with parallel structure and reference to historical allusions. This technique allows him to praise Toussaint-Louverture while also influencing and inspiring onlookers.
In President Bush’s address to the nation, he uses many rhetorical devices. A rhetorical device is a literary device that is used to persuade the audience to support the argument made. Bush’s address uses Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. They were invented and studied by the famous greek philosopher Aristotle. Ethos appeals to credibility, Logos appeals to logic or reason, and Pathos appeals to the audience’s feelings.
Speech of Miss Polly Baker Until somewhat recently women were considered inferior to men. Women could not work and were wholly dependent upon a man. One of the biggest leaps forward in equality was the Enlightenment era. The Enlightenment encouraged rational thought and equality for all. “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker” written by Benjamin Franklin is one of the most influential writings in American gender enlightenment especially in social, monetary and religious issues.
In an eulogy to former President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Great Britain, addresses a speech in honor of Reagan. Throughout the eulogy, Thatcher informs Americans all of the amazing work Reagan did during his presidency and how he is a great person. Using examples of the work Reagan did, Thatcher states acknowledges those ideas in order to keep his legacy alive. Thatcher opens and closes her eulogy by directly addresses it to the American citizens in a warm and proud tone.
Henry makes it clear that he knows England has betrayed the colonist. He also knows that something needs to be done about this. Henry says, “to be betrayed with a kiss.” (paragraph 3) The meaning of this quote shows that England has tried to betray the colonist in a nonviolent way to try to keep the colonist on their side, but Henry won’t let that happen.
Josie Appleton’s piece opens with her introducing the fact that body modification has lost its mark of being taboo. Appleton then transitions into describing the different kinds of people that modify their bodies and why they do it. The fact that people used to mostly use tattoos to identify with a group and are now using them to define themselves is heavily enforced. The rest of the piece describes in great detail the different ways people use piercings and tattoos to better understand themselves and mark important milestones. The piece concludes with Appleton claiming that body modification should only be for fashion, because bringing significance to it causes problems.
Margaret Thatcher, the British Prime Minister at the time, gave a eulogy to the grieving American people in honor of the late Ronald Reagan on June 11th, 2004. In her speech, Thatcher used rhetorical techniques to show the strength and principles of Reagan and project those values onto the American people. To project the ideas of strength and firm ideals, Thatcher used repetition, elevated syntax and the tone of optimism and sincerity to convey her message. In the beginning of the speech, Thatcher used repetition to show what Reagan had accomplished in his lifetime.
Skyllar Jekel English 102 Prof. Burnham Jan. 26th, 2023 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Have regular advertisements left you uninterested and waiting for the end to come? Well, Phil Swift in the Flex Tape advertisement uses many exciting situations, even while putting himself at risk. By showing his viewers such heavily damaged areas get fixed with such a fast and easy solution, it makes him seem very confident in his own product and makes it more impressive and convincing to purchase. Keeping the audience engaged and showing how reliable his product is with a touch of logos and pathos adds to the success of this advertisement. Phil Swift first starts off by demonstrating the sheer power of Flex Tape by stopping a huge hole of flowing water with
In the eulogy delivered by Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Great Britain and close friend of the late Ronald Reagan, Thatcher uses rhetorical strategies to gain the empathy and raise the morale of the American people. With the language she uses, Thatcher paints Reagan as a savior of his countrymen and hero to even his political enemies. Throughout the eulogy, Thatcher presents Reagan as a friend, not only to her, but to the world. She speaks of “Ronnie” as a man who was beyond his abilities and could mend a broken nation with his words.