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The Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Franklin's Speech

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“Words can inspire, and words can destroy. Choose yours well.” - Robin Sharma. In 1787, a convention was held to determine the efficiency of a debatable Constitution discussed by the delegates. Benjamin Franklin, having represented Pennsylvania, then presented a speech regarding his position on the topic, declaring his agreement to it in spite of his uncertainty on whether or not it will result in negative consequences in the future. His diplomatic skills were enhanced with great effort that implies his ambitions to leave a positive impact on the listeners and win their approval. Overall, Benjamin’s speech was engaged with impressive language devices as well as a logical sensation that affected the delegates and has successfully led to the …show more content…

For example, he shared his honest opinion regarding the government, clearly stating the essence of a general government and how to it can be well administered if people put aside their selfish views and overlook their personal interests. He also spoke thoughtfully when he mentioned that the only way a government can gain power is through others’ unanimity, saying that “Much of the strength and efficiency of any government depends on the general opinion of the goodness of that government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its governors.” Moreover, Benjamin has also taken the advantage of his past experiences, reminding the listeners of his age and the authorities he has “for, having lived long,”. He shared his struggles with corruption and how he learned that everyone makes mistakes, including himself. Additionally, He alluded to to the possible negativities that may result from accepting the Constitution, saying “I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults.”, which proves that he is aware that nothing is perfect, but together, they can integrate to form a stronger nation. Therefore, he called for a salutary Constitution, where integrity and consideration take over the despotic behaviors of those in

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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

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Franklin wrote a speech "The Speech of Polly Baker", this speech uses many syllogisms. The speech is about a women named Polly Baker who is arguing a case in court, she is being charged five times for having children without being married. Polly Baker questions why she is being charged for that and why that law even exists. Polly states "This may be agreeable to the Laws, and I don't dispute it; but since Laws are sometimes unreasonable in themselves, and therefore repealed, and others bear too hard on the Subject in particular severe with regard to me, who have always lived in an inoffensive Life in the Neighborhood where I was born...(921). She thinks this law is very unreasonable and she states that she is a good women and she shouldn't

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President Abraham Lincoln, in his inaugural address, addresses the topic of the civil war and its effects on the nation and argues that America could be unified once more. He supports his claim by using massive amounts of parallel structure and strong word choice. Lincoln ‘s purpose is to contemplate the effects of the civil war in order to unite the broken America once again. He adopts a very hopeful tone for his audience, the readers of the inaugural address and others interested in the topic of American history and the civil war.

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Many northerners, Benjamin Franklin among them, began to question the legitimacy of the revolutionary ideal of liberty, if the same rights weren’t awarded to everyone. After landing the presidential seat of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, Franklin started to protest the racist claims of his Southern counterparts (they argued that slaves were incapable of integrating into society). He also proposed legislation that called for the eventual emancipation of all slaves. After Franklin’s death in 1790, the political conversation about slavery halted. Ellis claims the discourse went “silent”.

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On December 8th, 1941 Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered a speech to the House of Representatives, Members of the Senate, the House Speaker, to the Vice President, and to the American people. Franklin spoke of the incident of the attack on Pearl Harbor the day after it occurred. Mr. Roosevelt was stern and concise. He spoke on the occasion of tragedy to inform the House and the American people what the Japanese have done.

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Benjamin Franklin was a man of many trades who had significant impact on the revolutionary war. He was incredibly talented with beautiful philosophy. “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom - and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech”- (Benjamin Franklin). Benjamin Franklin and his involvement with the revolutionary war founded our country based on his background, virtues, education and inventions. From the start, Ben strived for greatness.

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“On the Faults of the Constitution” was a speech written by Benjamin Franklin to try to explain the weaknesses of the Constitution. In his speech, he states some of things about the Constitution that he believed were weak, but I also realized that he also started to point out certain strengths in the Constitution. In certain parts of the speech, the beginning, Benjamin Franklin basically explains how the Constitution is not really good, that it is bad and tries to explain the weaknesses, but towards the end, Benjamin Franklin’s viewpoint goes off of what he wanted to first state. In the beginning of his speech, Benjamin Franklin says, “I confess that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present; but, sir, I am not sure I shall never approve of it, for, having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.”

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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.

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The advantage of having many past experiences and being an old man is a great way to get attention from others. A wise old man who is willing to take any judgement or risk for what is best for his country and the people. Benjamin Franklin , author of the “Speech in the Convention” (1787), persuade his audience with the rhetorical techniques, by comparing the delegates through allusions and humbling his own ethos in order to convince the congress to pass the constitution by its flaw. Benjamin Franklin effectively utilize allusions by comparing the delegates, so they could approve the constitution. Franklin states that the delegates is likely going to end up the same as “the builders of Babel” with the states of separation to “cutting one another’s throats” in order to make the members of the congress fear of the future (43).

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