Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Kevin Luu
Ms. Dach
APDC Lang. – A2
15 January 2016
Rhetorical Analysis – Banneker Slavery is infamously known in American history as “America’s greatest shame”. Accompanied by the concept of slavery was vast opposition due to it being unconstitutional and contradicting the basis of American government. Benjamin Banneker writes a simple letter to Thomas Jefferson that effectively argues against the institution of slavery utilizing political appeals, irony, repetition, and a snarky tone. Banneker argues against slavery by using numerous political appeals that directly challenges the ideals of Jefferson. Banneker immediately opens his argument by making a reference to the British crown “[reducing America into a state of servitude]”. By doing this, he wants Jefferson to recognize that by advocating slavery, he basically doing the same thing as what the British crown did to his country years ago. By making this appeal, he is essentially labeling Thomas Jefferson as King George, the man that Jefferson worked many years to secede from; by doing this, Banneker is able to argue against slavery by appealing to Jefferson politically by …show more content…
By repeatedly referring to various sources and events, he argues against slavery by illustrating that things are what made Jefferson the man he is today completely contradicts the concept of slavery that Jefferson supports. By referring to events that Jefferson holds dear, Banneker argues against slavery by challenging Jefferson because the complete irony of his decisions. By doing so, Banneker creates an ultimatum by saying that either Jefferson can be a man of his word or allow a great injustice to continue. By using a snarky tone, Banneker is hinting at Jefferson that it is time to make a decision that will guide America, Jefferson’s beloved country, for the
Ms. Dach
APDC Lang. – A2
15 January 2016
Rhetorical Analysis – Banneker Slavery is infamously known in American history as “America’s greatest shame”. Accompanied by the concept of slavery was vast opposition due to it being unconstitutional and contradicting the basis of American government. Benjamin Banneker writes a simple letter to Thomas Jefferson that effectively argues against the institution of slavery utilizing political appeals, irony, repetition, and a snarky tone. Banneker argues against slavery by using numerous political appeals that directly challenges the ideals of Jefferson. Banneker immediately opens his argument by making a reference to the British crown “[reducing America into a state of servitude]”. By doing this, he wants Jefferson to recognize that by advocating slavery, he basically doing the same thing as what the British crown did to his country years ago. By making this appeal, he is essentially labeling Thomas Jefferson as King George, the man that Jefferson worked many years to secede from; by doing this, Banneker is able to argue against slavery by appealing to Jefferson politically by …show more content…
By repeatedly referring to various sources and events, he argues against slavery by illustrating that things are what made Jefferson the man he is today completely contradicts the concept of slavery that Jefferson supports. By referring to events that Jefferson holds dear, Banneker argues against slavery by challenging Jefferson because the complete irony of his decisions. By doing so, Banneker creates an ultimatum by saying that either Jefferson can be a man of his word or allow a great injustice to continue. By using a snarky tone, Banneker is hinting at Jefferson that it is time to make a decision that will guide America, Jefferson’s beloved country, for the