In the previous unit we studied persuasion. Your assignment is to compose an essay assessingFrederick Douglass’ narrative as persuasion.

Prompt: How does Frederick Douglass make an effective argument against slavery in his book?

Your response should address:

  1. Douglass’ crafting according to purpose and audience
  2. Douglass’ use of the three types of persuasive appeals
  3. Emotional

How does Douglass use examples that get an emotional reaction from the reader?

  1. - Where does he try to make readers feel a specific emotion, such as sadness, anger, hope, sympathy, or any other emotion?
  2. - How does he get them to feel this way, and how does this help convince his audience of his overall argument?
  1. Logical

How does Douglass use examples and strategies that make logical sense to the reader?

  1. - Where does Douglass use techniques like compare & contrast, cause & effect, or analogy to show how slavery is unjust?
  2. - Where does he make allusions to literary or religious doctrines, or examine the historical, economic, or political impacts of slavery?
  3. - Where does he employ expert opinions, quotations, or other, similar evidence?
  4. - How do any of these strategies help convince his audience of his overall argument?
  1. Ethical

How does Douglass present himself as an ethical and moral person to the reader?

  1. - Where does he show himself to be intelligent, well-informed, or knowledgeable?
  2. - Where does he show himself to be kind, sympathetic, or sensitive to others?
  3. - Where does he show himself to be honest, moral, patriotic, or an overall “good person”?
  4. - How do any of these strategies help convince his audience of his overall argument?

This is not a summary of the book.

The essay should be organized in paragraphs and have a clear thesis that you defend.

Please use 12 Point Garamond, double spaced

Refrain from the use of “I think…, I feel…” or other “I” statements. It is already clear you that it is your opinion because you are the author.

You need to provide quotations and/or specific examples from the novel to support your assessment.

When citing a page for a quote or example place the page number in parenthesis after the quote:

“We felt, and very properly too, that we had almost as well be slaves to man as to rum” (71).

Paper Component / Excellent / Good / Adequate / Inadequate / Poor
Organization / Extremely well-organized, with a
clear beginning, middle, and
end; insightful, logicalpattern
of connections; argument is
clear, creative, and easy to
follow. Avoids generalizations
and thoroughly answers
prompt. / Well-organized, w/ clear
beginning, middle, and end;
logicalpattern of connections;
argument is clear and easy to
follow. Avoids generalizations
and answers prompt. / Clear beginning, middle, and
end; clear pattern of
connections; argument can
generally be followed; writer
answers the prompt. / Beginning, middle, and end;
some connections; argument
may be difficult to follow;
basically addresses prompt. / Disorganized (or method of
organization undetermined);
argument difficult to follow;
illogical or confusing
connections; does not address
prompt.
Content,
Argument, and
Support / Thoroughly and creatively
answers prompt; clear and
logical argument; supports
argument with excellent
examples of emotional,
logical, and moral quotations;
avoids summary. / Thoroughly answers
prompt; clear and logical
argument; supports
argument with relevant
examples of emotional,
logical, and moral
quotations; avoids
summary. / Adequately answers
prompt; clear argument;
supports argument with
examples of emotional,
logical, and moral
quotations; avoids
summary. / Attempts to answer prompt;
argument may be unclear or
illogical; examples of
emotional, logical, and
moral quotations may be
poorly chosen or
incomplete; may rely on
excessive summary. / Does not answer prompt;
argument may be unclear or
illogical; insufficient
examples of emotional,
logical, and moral
quotations; excessive
summary.
Grammar/
Mechanics / Free from grammatical and
mechanical errors; writing
is polished and formal. / Minimal grammatical and
mechanical errors; writing
is polished and formal / Some grammatical and
mechanical errors; writing
is basically polished and
formal. / Multiple grammatical and
mechanical errors; writing
may not be polished and
formal. / Multiple grammatical and
mechanical errors impair
understanding; writing
unpolished and informal.