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In both of the letters, the authors incorporates highly persuasive words and strategies to emphasize their opinions. The first letter, written to Mr. Seaver by Ira C. Herbert of Coca-Cola, tells of the brand's problem with the novel, Diary of a Harlem Schoolteacher's advertisement slogan due to the similarity to their own. On the contrary, the second letter is addressed to Ira C. Herbert from Mr. Seaver. Seaver's response is far more impressive than the previous letter. This is possible because of Seaver's literary strengths. He uses a plethora of rhetorical strategies and devices to elucidate how he feels about Coca Cola's complaints, which is that they are beyond puerile.
Although the letter composed by Mr. Herbert is technically legally correct, he is not successful in completing his goal of convincing the novel's advertisement company to abide by the slogan rights. His letter was developed well, using polite language and using a calm tone to explain himself kindly. This type of device could be well described as academic diction to convince the audience and, in this case, Seaver. His opening sentence, "Several people have called to our attention…" is successfully persuasive by showing that the public has brought it to their attention, implying that citizens are involved in this issue, also. However, the novel's company does not seem very moved by the complaint. Herbert should have been more tough in asking for what he wanted to see done. Instead, he simply suggested that the novel take down the slogan. Furthermore, his criticism was inaccurate and childish. The Coca-Cola company may own the rights to the exact slogan, "It's the Real Thing", but that is only similar to that of the novels, not identical. In addition, Herbert m...

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...s organization. He starts off with an understanding of Coca-Cola's viewpoint. He goes on to show that although he may understand, he does not agree. He shows this with his aforesaid literally devices and rhetorical devices. Without these devices his letter would not be as persuasive as it is. One idea to take into consideration about the "persuasiveness" of these letters is that Seaver's letter has no goal, whereas Herbert's did. Therefore, one may say that Herbert's was, in fact, more persuasive simply because he was asking for compliance, and Seaver just replied with an elongated "no". I agree with this, but only to a point. I still think Seaver's letter is more convincing because he uses more examples and details to prove himself. He incorporates humor, irony, exaggeration, and more into his response which, in turn, goes on to make his letter the most successful.

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