persuade voters to deviate from voting simply for an established candidate. A farmer, astronomer, and author named Benjamin Banneker wrote a persuasive letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1791. Many people back in the 1700’s would not dare go against the power of the founding fathers, but Banneker voiced his true opinion with his emotional words--something that took tremendous courage. Banneker uses a passive-aggressive tone, comparison/contrast, and an emotional appeal to convey his message…
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Banneker, a well-educated abolitionist, writes to Thomas Jefferson, the framer of the Declaration Of Independence and secretary at the time, to try to persuade him to be against slavery using the repetition of the words “you” and “your”, irony, and juxtaposition, using these strategies help put a stronghold against slavery. The author, Benjamin Banneker begins the repetition of “you” and “your” all throughout the excerpt from the letter to show equality between White and Black Americans and…
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Benjamin Banneker was an extremely well educated African American. His education was rather unique, because in 1700s, when Banneker lived, many African Americans were slaves, and very few were educated. He wrote a letter to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, in 1791. The letter discussed slavery in the United States. Banneker chose to write to Jefferson because Jefferson had political power, and he wrote the Declaration of Independence, a document which proclaims that all men are created equal…
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it. There have been many debates to try and eradicate slavery due to the writings of the constitution. Benjamin Banneker, a child of former slaves, who grew up to be a scientist decided he would politely give his opinion on this topic. Banneker wrote Thomas Jefferson expressing his thoughts on the problem with slavery . Banneker uses ethos, repetition, diction, and religious appeals. Banneker uses ethos to try and get Thomas Jefferson to emotionally appeal to what he is saying. He uses the words…
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In 1791, Benjamin Banneker wrote to Thomas Jefferson. He wrote to convince, rather than to plea. As a presumably respected man as himself, he would not beg. After all, this was the son of former slaves, now a farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, and author. What an attainment, considering most slaves could not even read nor write. As a reputable man to another, his civil manner is one to consider and makes him taken all that more seriously. In this land that declares the unalienable rights…
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In the excerpt from the letter, Benjamin Banneker was a son of former slaves that became so much more, “a farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, and author.” In the year of 1791, he challenged framer of the Declaration of Independence and secretary of state to President George Washington, Thomas Jefferson. Banneker uses a variety of rhetorical strategies to argue against slavery, being a son of slaves, as stated. Using rhetorical strategies, his use of language makes him come off intense and…
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To speak out against this unbearable affliction, Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slaves, among many other things, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1791. In his letter, Banneker, to argue against slavery, incorporates irony, repetition, and formal diction. Banneker pens his letter to Jefferson with an undertone of irony in order to express that the father of the Declaration is not supporting the morally correct practices. Banneker, while addressing Jefferson claims that he (Jefferson)…
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author and theologian C.S. Lewis, “you can make anything by writing.” Similarly, Benjamin Banneker, a renowned intellectual and the son of a former slave, hoped his words would have the power to influence Thomas Jefferson. He aimed to help Jefferson realize his vision of making America a truly free country would only come to fruition by eliminating the enslavement of African Americans. Throughout the letter, Banneker effectively communicates the need of ending slavery to Jefferson through purposeful…
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The idea of slavery is opposed by the opinion of Benjamin Banneker. Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, the framer of the Declaration of Independence arguing against slavery. In his letter he uses many rhetorical devices to support his argument against slavery. Some of the strategies included the use of metonymy, holy war, last resort, and bandwagon. All of these devices contributed to a stronger argument for Banneker to argue against Jefferson’s idea of slavery. The author uses a metonymy…
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Slavery is a scar on the past of America that is still healing to this day. In this letter Benjamin Banneker, a former slave, is writing to Thomas Jefferson regarding the present state of slavery in the United States. Urging him humbly and earnestly, not to be forced to do something about the state of slavery, but to have a sincere conviction upon the fact thereof. In his letter he writes using all three of the rhetoric devices: ethos, pathos, and logos. When he uses ethos, he writes, not of the…
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