Discussion

Respond to each student 1 with at least 150 words

Student 1: https://www.bartleby.com/124/pres56.html (Speech evaluated)

Does seeing that the speech mostly focus on ethos and logos point you in the direction of what argumentative style it is? How can the speech be a mixture of both Models, especially since they have a different foundation?

Respond to student 2 in at least 250 words

Student 2: www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/douglassjuly4.html (Document Reviewed)

The speech I chose to explore was the speech by Frederick Douglas “The Meaning of July Fourth to the Negro” given at Rochester, New York in 1852. The purpose of the speech was centered around the celebration of America’s National Independence Day. Frederick Douglas according to his speech was asked to speak, “why am I called upon to speak here to-day” (Douglas) at the national celebration, potentially as the voice of black people. The claim of the speech is simply that the National Celebration of Independence for white Americans did not hold the same meaning for black Americans.

The claim is supported by the use of all three modes of persuasion, ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos is used throughout the speech when Frederick Douglass remembers his time as a child and the experiences with slavery which give the reader firsthand knowledge of occurrences of slavery and the slave trade, therefore presenting his creditability. Logos are displayed with the authors citing of historical events, analogies, and logical arguments for why black Americans dealing with “gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the victim” (Douglass) believe the “celebration is a sham” (Douglass). Pathos is seen throughout the speech with the authors use of emotional events surrounding the treatment of black Americans.

The opposing side is mentioned in many instances in the speech; the author gives many illustrative depictions of the importance of the Fourth of July to the white Americans as opposed to black Americans. The argumentative style that I believe is used is the Rogerian method. It really seems clear within in the speech with the use of all the oppositional language as a means of reaching a common goal to put an end to slavery and the oppression of black Americans.