Rhetorical Analysis Of Maria W. Stewart's Argument

African Americans have long struggled for equal rights and opportunities, including in 1832 when Maria W. Stewart delivered a lecture in which she argued that African Americans deserve equal capabilities to pursue job placement and advancement. Maria is able to convey her message through the use of examples and similes. Maria uses examples in order to convey that her argument is a known issue that has struggled to find an answer due to peoples preconceived notions of African Americans at the time. When Maria explains that to “take us generously as people, we are neither lazy nor idle,” she appeals to the audience’s trust by establishing a counter argument based on a highly recognized newspaper’s article, and then refuting their ideas on why

The writers use of these examples as a way to appeal to the audiences trust is persuasive because it is now evident that she is intelligent and her argument can now be more credible in their minds. Continuing through her lecture Maria is able to employ the use of similes in order to draw her audience in and make a connection with them. When Maria states, “ the mind barren and like the scorching sands of Arabia, produces nothing,” This appeals to the audiences emotions by creating a connection with the audience that toys with the fact that most people are empathetic. This is effective because the audience is led to see what kind of emotional toll is taken on those who may work for the individuals in the audience. Similarly, the speakers appeal to the emotions of the audience is employed when she immediately continues her comparisons by phrasing that, “like the uncultivated soil, brings forth thorns and thistles” this is effective because it provides an easier