2010 AP English Language and Composition Free-Response Question - Banneker Rhetorical Analysis (Blog 1)

[Angelann Stephens]

Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slave, was a farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, and author.  In 1791 he wrote to Thomas Jefferson, framer of the Declaration of Independence and secretary of state to President George Washington.  Read the following excerpt from the letter, an analyze ONE RHETORICAL STRATEGY used to argue against slavery.

Please respond to one other student in the course.  Provide them with commentary for their post!  Simply saying, "Good Job," is empty and means very little to a writer.  Give them ideas and food that resonate with them so they can improve as a reader and writer.  Thank you.

Due Date:  Sunday, August 31, 2014 by midnight!

I will lock the assignment after this date.

[Jzanee Matthias]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion: Banneker's argument against slavery.

Type of text: Dialogue/Reasoning

Strong verb: argues/questions/expound

 

      Benjamin Banneker, known as the son of former slaves and the founder of Banneker High, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson referring to him as "sir". Banneker announces him as sir in the opening of the letter as well as throughout the beginnings of each paragraph.  Although Banneker does not coincide with Jefferson's perspectives  on slavery nor his practices, he  continues to refer to him as "sir"; not as a joke but because of his position and out of the respect he has for Jefferson. Banneker wrote this letter to Jefferson to reason with him; not to alienate him. No! But to broaden his aspect on slavery and to display that the equality stated in the constitution, has no meaning from where they are standing.He utilizes the kind of diction that appeals to emotion(pathos diction).  Speaking on slavery as injustice, Banneker refers the slaves as his brethren thus making it personal. Banneker displays slavery as "cruel oppression" and "groaning captivity" showing a great deal of emotional diction. In the end Banneker is letting Jefferson know that him and his brethren are treated and looked upon as aliens and should be treated equally like the constitution stated, for they are human and were made no different by the creator himself.

[Dominique Rivers]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion: Argument against slavery to Thomas Jefferson

Type of text: Letter

Strong Verb: compare/ express/connect

Son of former slaves, a farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, and author, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter to Thomas Jefferson which argues against slavery, compares the British rule over America and slavery. Banneker’s purpose is to express Thomas Jefferson’s contradiction of the “Declaration of Independence”. Banneker uses pathos to appeal to Jefferson’s emotions by describing how Jefferson must’ve felt during British rule. In Banneker’s letter, he says “recall to your mind that time in which the arms and tyranny of the British Crown were exerted … - This sir, was a time in which you clearly saw into the injustice of a state of slavery”; Banneker tries to make Jefferson empathize. Banneker uses pathos to accomplish his purpose by connecting Jefferson disgust of British rule with slavery. Banneker successfully sent his message that as the “Father of mankind”, Thomas Jefferson, he should live up to his word (“…of liberty and the free possession of those blessings to which you were entitled by nature”) or he is guilty for breaking his own word. Banneker detest slavery and expresses it to Thomas Jefferson, framer of the ”Declaration of Independence” and secretary of state to President George Washington, that he would be a hypocrite if he keep slavery in place. Banneker makes his point in the most civil way.

[Dominique Rivers]

[Jayla Baptist]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion: Argument against slavery

Type of text: Dialogue/ Letter

Strong verb: dispute, squabble

Son of former slaves, Benjamin Banneker, in his dispute against slavery, emphasizes that Thomas Jefferson is hypocritically compensating his creation of the Declaration of Independence. Banneker's purpose is to inform Thomas Jefferson on his hypocrisy and stand up for what his "brethren's" deserve. Banneker uses pathos to express his feelings on slavery and ethos to show is repetitive dialogue to support his claims. He begins with "sir", and repeats it throughout the text, not to deride Jefferson, but to show respect for what he represents. In his text, he quotes a part of the Declaration of Independence stating, "... that all men are created equal... by their creator with certain unalienable rights... these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." As it goes on, Banneker feels that Thomas Jefferson is pitiable to go back on his word and not stand by his written word. After all, he is the "Father of mankind." Banneker despises slavery, and makes it well known that the Constitution states that "all men are created equal", and we are no different than our creator.

[Juanaisia Shabazz]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion:  Argument against slavery

Type of Text:  Letter

Strong Verb:  Articulating, Hypocritical, Dissimulating

Well known son a former slave, Benjamin Banneker, was an astronomer, mathematician, farmer, surveyor, and author. In 1971 he wrote to Thomas Jefferson articulating how he, Jefferson, had a hypocritical perspective to slaves. Banneker’s purpose was to educate Jefferson of his dissimulating creation of the Declaration of Independence and stand up for what his “kind” deserves. Banneker uses pathos to get to Jefferson’s emotions. For example he used the “feeling guilty” card in his letter, meaning he tried to have Jefferson feel sympathy and try to relate to slaves feelings by describing how Jefferson must have felt during the British rule. Banneker says “recall to your mind that time in which the arms and tyranny of the British Crown were exerted … - This sir, was a time in which you clearly saw into the injustice of a state of slavery.” As the letter goes on, Banneker stands his ground in a respectful way.

 

[Michael Green]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker 

Occasion: Argument against slavery to Thomas Jefferson 

Type of text: Letter 

Strong Verb(s): contradicting

Son of former slaves, African American scientist, surveyor, almanac author and farmer, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson to express his feelings towards slavery. Among the many rhetorical strategies that are used in Banneker's letter, the most prominent one was repetition. At the start of every paragraph, Banneker uses the word sir: the repetition of the word "sir" allows Banneker to show a sense of respect to Jefferson. Another rhetorical strategy that Banneker uses is allusions.In lines 21-25, Banneker quotes the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Jefferson wrote these words himself and is contradicting himself by not doing anything to abolish slavery. Banneker handles this situation the best way that he could while still being respectful.

[Thierno Diallo]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion: Argument against slavery

Type of text: Letter

strong verb: servitude /abhorrence /pitiable /counteract

Son of a former slaves, author, mathematician, astronomer, farmer, and surveyor. Benjamin Banneker wrote in his letter to Thomas Jefferson about the injustice of slavery. Banneker's purpose was to use hypocrisy to refute slavery. Example He wrote "Father of mankind distributes rights and privileges which he conferred upon them that, you should counteract his mercies and be found guilty of that most criminal act in which you professedly detested in others with respect to yourselves". In the constitution Jefferson wrote "all men are created equal and by not following that he is being a hypocrite. He also compared British tyranny on colonists to African slavery to further explain his point . Banneker used several rhetorical strategies. Pathos to appeal to Jefferson's emotions and used ethos by using job a righteous from the bible who endured much suffering.  Banneker also repeatedly says "sir " as a sign of respect. Banneker used strong diction to show even though he was a black man he was educated just like any other white man.

[marrer...@gmail.com]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker
Occasion: Banneker's argument against slavery
Type of text: Letter/Dialogue
Strong verb: Publicize, Convey

Well-known scientist, mathematician, farmer, astronomer, and author, Benjamin Banneker, in his dispute against slavery in his letter to Thomas Jefferson publicizes Jefferson's hypocritical ways of the Constitution. Banneker reminds him of the time of British rule & compares it with the time of slavery. Banneker explains how they were powerless in the time of British control, just as slaves are now in the time of the "White Man's" control. Banneker conveys his reason using pathos as he says "put your souls in their souls stead," thus shall your hearts be enlarged with kindness and benevolence towards them," and continues to expand on how they should think for themselves and need no one to proceed in the correct manner of life. In the constitution it says "all men are created equal", and no man is worth less than the other. In this instance he calls Jefferson a hypocrite because he does not practice what he preaches. He makes lesser of the same man that he claims he is equal to. Banneker tries to convey that we are all human and no one is greater than the creator.

[Zachary Thomas]

I agree with Thierno's point about Banneker's use of hypocrisy to refute against slavery. When he reminded Jefferson of his famous "ALL men are created equal" quote, he basically told Jefferson that he doesn't practice what he preaches. He is showing Jefferson that he is not telling the truth when he says that all men are created equal.

[Zachary Thomas]

[Zachary Thomas]

[Zachary Thomas]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion: Argument against slavery to Thomas Jefferson

Type of text: Letter

Strong Verb(s): Abhorrence, Benevolence, Fortitude, Apprehensions

ONE rhetorical strategy that I found in Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson was the rhetorical strategy "Logos." Logos uses facts, details, and explanations to bring out a certain point in their argument. Banneker uses the Logos rhetoric to back up his argument with Jefferson by quoting his past sayings about equality in America: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Banneker is implying that if Jefferson is saying "ALL men are created are equal" it means that African-Americans have the right to freedom, and shouldn't have to be slaves. Unfortunately, in this time of America, African-Americans weren't considered human beings: they were considered as objects or property.

[Jabrie'l Thompson]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion: Argument against slavery

Type of text: Letter

Strong verbs: demonstrates, sheds light,

Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slaves, was a farmer, astronomer and an author. He greatly demonstrated those writing skills in his letter to Thomas Jefferson. Banneker's use of rhetoric in his lengthy letter on the abolition of slavery effectively gets his point across. The most effective was his use of allusion. “Sir, suffer me to recall to your mind that time, in which the arms and tyranny of the British crown were exerted,...reduce you to a state of servitude”. He reminds Jefferson of the tyranny of the British Crown which felt much like slavery. Banneker later also uses pathos. He allows Jefferson to revisit his feelings when they were granted freedom. Doing so, Banneker sheds light on how African Americans feel in their state of servitude and how they would feel when freed.

[Michael Green]

I like how you implemented what you learned i class into your analysis. It was absolutely delicious.

[Aziza Abdul-Aziz]

Aziza Abdul-Aziz

August 31^st, 2014 Pd: 3A

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion: Benjamin Banneker writes a letter to Thomas Jefferson, framer of the declaration of independence and secretary of state to President George Washington to discuss slavery.

Type of text: Letter

Strong verb: argues/refutes

In this outstanding letter, astronomer and mathematician Benjamin Banneker, argues as to why slavery is degrading to man.  Banneker’s purpose is to refute the ideology of slavery; in this letter he persuasively uses the strategy of refutation to create an argument with Thomas Jefferson in order to effectively display the inequality found in slavery. In the letter he uses a quote from the declaration of independence [which was written by Thomas Jefferson] “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life liberty and pursuit of happiness” this quote holds significance to Banneker’s argument because he was able to use Jefferson’s own words to prove that all men are created equal and should be treated with equality and enslavement violates the rights that we are given by our creator.   Banneker was able to use Jefferson’s words to expose his flaw which is that Jefferson is not “living up” to the words that he so famously wrote in the declaration of independence and Banneker was able to use this to prove that his argument is more valid.

[Mercy Madu]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker 

Occasion: Argument against slavery

Type of Text: Letter

Strong Verbs: Express

Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slaves, was a farmer, astronomer, and an author. He argues in his letter to Thomas Jefferson about the unfair rights towards slavery. His choice of words to him was mostly "Sir". Throughout the letter, he refer to him as "Sir" whereas not by his first nor last name; showing signs of respect. The purpose for him to write the letter was to explain to Thomas Jefferson on his hypocrisy and speak out on behalf towards his "brethren"; indicating his personal feelings on the issue. Banneker uses pathos on how he feels towards slavery and informed to Jefferson on how he must've felt of the tyranny of the British crown; manifesting the similarities. In the letter, Banneker uttered, "Here, sir, was a time in which your tender feelings for yourselves had engaged you thus to declare, you were then impressed with proper ideas of the great valuation of liberty and the free possession of those blessings to which you were entitled by nature; but, sir, how pitiable is it to reflect that although you were so fully convinced of the benevolence of the Father of mankind and of his equal and impartial distribution of those rights and privileges which he had conferred upon them, that you should at the same time counteract his mercies in detaining by fraud and violence so numerous a part of my brethren under groaning captivity and cruel oppression." He explained that even though Jefferson is fully agreed to the terms of equality, he still condone to the violence towards his "brethren". Banneker uses pathos to show Jefferson on how he's feeling for not only African-Americans as slaves, but African-Americans as a whole.

[Oniecia Henry]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion: Argument against slavery

Type of Text: Letter

Strong Verb(s): dispute/elucidate/disapprove/deride

Illustrious 18th century scholar, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter deriding slavery, elucidates that Thomas Jefferson is shamefully condoning the institution of slavery and it's unconstitutional nature. In the lengthy missive, Banneker's purpose is to placidly express his disapproval of the State's pro-slavery attitude, and gain Thomas Jefferson's support . Banneker effortlessly uses the rhetorical appeal of pathos in an attempt to invoke empathy or understanding from Jefferson. Early on, he alludes to the oppression of the colonies by Britain. So he cites, "...recall to your mind the time in which...the British Crown were exerted with every powerful effort in order to reduce you to a State of Servitude." Banneker wants to remind Jefferson of a time when the colonists were once oppressed by the English ,just as Caucasians now did to their African-American counterparts. He's able to "tug at his heartstrings" through this allusion and Jefferson can begin relating to the slaves' subjection to their slave owners.Benjamin continues on, "...reflect on the that time in which every human aid appeared unavailable...";Jefferson and his fellowmen know the feeling of raw hopelessness all to well. Benjamin tries to guilt Jefferson as if to say "How could you condone this oppression when you've experienced the hardships of it firsthand?" His use of pathos in this sense forces Jefferson to reconsider his pro-slavery stance and empathize with Benjamin and his "brethren".

[Jourdin Morris]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker

Occasion: Banneker’s argument against slavery

Type of text: Letter/Dialogue

Strong verb: formulate/convince

 

                Benjamin Banneker, known as the son of former slaves, a farmer, astronomer, mathematician and an author, formulated a letter to Thomas Jefferson, framer of the Declaration of Independence, expressing his feelings towards slavery.  In his letter, Banneker uses many rhetorical devices effectively to convince Thomas Jefferson to abolish slavery. To start off his argument, Banneker uses pathos in the paragraph to lay the responsibility on Jefferson. Pathos is used to appeal to Jefferson's emotions. In the letter he stated, "put your souls in their souls stead, thus shall your hearts be enlarged with kindness and benevolence towards them, and thus shall you need neither the direction of myself or others, in what matter to proceed herein."  This quote has an emotional appeal, because he is asking Jefferson to think and imagine what life would be like as a slave. Throughout the letter Banneker kept a respectful and straightforward tone. He also used very strong diction, using it to manipulate Jefferson's thoughts by creating a sense of guilt.

[Oniecia Henry]

I think your analysis was great! All good points. You stayed on topic and got your point across successfully.

[Mercy Madu]

That was beautiful...oh and I like how you simply got your point across and revealing the argument in a simple-mannered of how Banneker took the information on Declaration of Independence and used it against Thomas Jefferson! :)

[Cesaria Banks]

Speaker: Benjamin Banneker
Occasion: Letter to the President
Type of text: Letter
Strong Verb: Intellectual
Former mathematician and astronomer, Benjamin Banneker, who wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, arguing against slavery.
Banneker's purpose was to elucidate and persuade Thomas Jefferson onto the thought of Africans/ African Americans being people too and that slavery is wrong.
In this letter, Banneker uses refutation, Each point that he made connected to the main idea and is supported with vast detail. The first and second paragraphs were to transition into the main parts of the letter which it was all tied to. He also used pathos by stating of the predicament they were in before and after the war. Since Jefferson was a Christian, Banneker threw in text from the bible that connected with the point saying," ...put your soul in their souls...", which is also an element of pathos. He then closed off, having a sense of reason on why he was right, but lastly stating on a quote that puts "food for thought" into action.

[Michael Green]

Your word choice was purely delicious. It flowed really well. You're a natural at this.

[Jourdin Morris]

Your diction is very strong and great!! You made some really good points throughout your blog. It was really good!