Summary Of Speech By Florence Kelley Ap Language

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On July 22, 1905, Florence Kelley, a United States social worker and reformer, gave a speech the National American Woman Suffrage Association in Philadelphia regarding child labor laws and improving working conditions for women. Kelley’s speech included detailed examples of the child and women labor laws of each state at the time. Her use of rhetorical devices that appeal to the audience, such as strong diction and syntax, persuaded listeners to take her subject seriously and consider the reforms that needed to take place. Kelley intended to elicit a desire in her audience to change child labor laws, persuade men to agree with changing the child labor laws, and to work towards women’s suffrage. Kelley builds credibility as a speaker of this topic through the word choices she uses throughout the speech. Her use of “we,” specifically when she said “we have, in this country…” (line 1), appeals to the audience’s sense of ethos. She established herself as similar to those in her audience and displayed the patriotism she has for her country, proving herself credible. Florence Kelley used other powerful diction when she described the “deafening noise” …show more content…

One example Kelley provided stated, “In Georgia there is no restriction whatever! A girl of six or seven years, just tall enough to reach the bobbins, may work eleven hours by day or by night” (lines 32-34). This evokes emotion among the audience causing them to feel empathy for all the children, especially young girls, who have to work long hours in bad conditions. Kelley’s use of commas helps split up her speech more and adds emphasis to the importance of what she is saying. Varied sentence structure and length draws the attention of the readers as well. The author posed a question using a long sentence that began with “If the mothers and the teachers in Georgia could vote…” (lines

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