Rhetorical Analysis

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Recommended: Ethos, pathos logos in declaration of independence

In 1776 America was formed on the main premise of freedom. The declaration of independence clearly outlines that equality among all men. The man who framed this declaration and the audience of the letter is persuaded, effectively, that it is in his best interests and intentions that slavery be put to a stop, that slavery is something that he himself does not believe in. In his quest to convince Jefferson Benjamin Banneker employs several religious appeals, repetition, and use of precise diction to appeal to Ethos. This serves to be important as racism reigned high at the time and by bridging the gab and building Ethos, Banneker can successfully present his points without being written up as just some other black man with a grudge. His opinion would be more likely to be considered, if he would be successful at establishing Ethos. He also employs diction to appeal to Pathos and Jeffersons “human” side, to drive the point home and call Jefferson to action

In the letter, Banneker makes several religious appeals that chomp away at Jefferson’s stance on letting slavery continue. By making these appeals Banneker is also able to build Ethos with Jefferson by implying that they believe in the same god. In the quote “you were so fully convinced of the benevolence of the Father of mankind and of his equal and impartial distribution of those rights” Banneker is able to develop the idea that Jefferson is man that should believe in mercy for all. He uses the terms “equal” and “impartial” to resonate his point as they reinforce the main premise that he is getting at, equality. In the quote Banneker is also able to develop the idea that while “the Father” is doing good and right by his people, Jefferson is counteracting him by condoning slavery...

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...se words also become more powerful when he emphasizes that these horrible things are happening to his “brethren”, not just slaves but people, human beings, men of God, just like he is. Through this appeal to emotion, Banneker is able to implant guild within Jefferson, that because of his actions, this plight enforced upon his people is happening. By doing this Banneker calls Jefferson to action.

Considering context and audience, Banneker effectively gets the message across. He successfully navigates the ins and outs of this piece through precise diction, repetition, and appeals to religion, Ethos, and Pathos. He puts himself and Jefferson under the same banner and treats his with respect throughout the piece establishing Ethos which is vital because he also employs Pathos to drive the point home.

Works Cited

Banneker, Benjamin. Letter to Thomas Jefferson. 1971

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