Writing Task:
Drawing from the rhetorical strategies and examples of argument and persuasion discussed in class, write a well-developed, thesis driven 5 page essay that responds to the following topic:
Topic:
In “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July,” Frederick Douglass draws upon principles stated in the Declaration of Independence to highlight the contradictions between the nation’s ideals and practice with regard to human rights. Similarly, Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman?” utilizes rhetoric to deliver a powerful message. She boldly vouches for women to have the same rights as men and asserts her claims that women, even African American women, were worthy of respect and rights in the United States of America. What rhetorical techniques do Douglass and Truth use to convince their audience to accept their claim? Explain how the rhetorical strategies of each author reinforce their argument. Which writer gets the message across more effectively, and why?
Tips: Before you begin to write, consider how both Truth and Douglass use rhetoric to get their message across to their audience. What arguments can you find in common between Truth and Douglass? What difference in evidence and rhetorical strategy do you detect? The quality of your essay depends on how well you develop and support your argument as well as how you defend your thesis with evidence from the readings.
Please read through the attached rubric BEFORE SUBMITTING your essay 3.
Your essay should follow MLA format and have an original title and thesis.
The required length is 5 pages, double-spaced, 12 point font. An opportunity to develop this essay into a research paper will occur in an upcoming unit.
Please save your document, using your own name as Last name, First name.
Submit your paper through the Canvas submission link under the actual assignment. This is just a student reminder/To do list.
