Rhetorical Analysis Of Alfred M. Green's Speech
During his speech Alfred M. Green uses various methods of persuasion in an attempt to get his fellow African Americans to join the Union forces during the Civil War. Alfred bases his speech on persuasion using an emotional connection, because he and his fellow African Americans were not allowed to fight in the war.
At his core Alfred was calling on all Americans to take up arms and join the Union forces that were fighting to abolish slavery. He spoke specifically to people of Color, but he spoke of the oppression that not only free African Americans living in the North had, but also acknowledged African Americans in the South. He choose his words carefully that reflected a positive, encouraging message that would encourage the importance …show more content…
He could have just simply said this is how I feel and I hope you will join me. Instead he tapped into the emotional foundation of the Bible and God’s word and the scripture that has no color to reinforce what he was asking for. “Let us take up the sword, trusting in God” gives his call to action a larger support and taps into the emotional connection of the Bible as well as giving a sense of hope to the Slaves of the South. He goes on to give hope stating “Remember too, that your very presence among the troops of the North would inspire your oppressed brethren of the South, with zeal for the overthrow of the tyrant system, and confidence in armies of the living God - the God of truth, justice and equality to all men”. The appeal to the emotions is effective refective rhetorical choices.
I believe Green had a strong command of the written word in an emotional context. He is able to effectively ask for direct support for his immediate cause, but set the table for a bigger request and cause. His initial cause is to directly support the Slaves of the South and Free them. But subtly he is setting the table for a larger fight, the freedom of all men and women and the hope that they will all be treated the same. He uses his words and actions to essentially say, in order for us to achieve our end goal, we need
At his core Alfred was calling on all Americans to take up arms and join the Union forces that were fighting to abolish slavery. He spoke specifically to people of Color, but he spoke of the oppression that not only free African Americans living in the North had, but also acknowledged African Americans in the South. He choose his words carefully that reflected a positive, encouraging message that would encourage the importance …show more content…
He could have just simply said this is how I feel and I hope you will join me. Instead he tapped into the emotional foundation of the Bible and God’s word and the scripture that has no color to reinforce what he was asking for. “Let us take up the sword, trusting in God” gives his call to action a larger support and taps into the emotional connection of the Bible as well as giving a sense of hope to the Slaves of the South. He goes on to give hope stating “Remember too, that your very presence among the troops of the North would inspire your oppressed brethren of the South, with zeal for the overthrow of the tyrant system, and confidence in armies of the living God - the God of truth, justice and equality to all men”. The appeal to the emotions is effective refective rhetorical choices.
I believe Green had a strong command of the written word in an emotional context. He is able to effectively ask for direct support for his immediate cause, but set the table for a bigger request and cause. His initial cause is to directly support the Slaves of the South and Free them. But subtly he is setting the table for a larger fight, the freedom of all men and women and the hope that they will all be treated the same. He uses his words and actions to essentially say, in order for us to achieve our end goal, we need