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Rhetoric

Rhetoric Midterm

In the text box, enter your question (label it QUESTION, in all caps) and directly beneath it your answer (ANSWER in all caps). Be sure to include your name in your post.

As a guide to the kinds of questions I'm looking for, use the 30 midterm review questions posted on the EXAMS page of the course website. As an alternative to writing out an answer, you can refer us to a particular page in one of our textbooks or a page (provide URL) on our course website. You may post as many questions and answers as you like up until the evening of the midterm exam. However, I will have finished making up the exam by Sunday night, October 21, so if you'd like to see your question considered for the exam, post it by Sunday evening. I can't promise that I'll use your question (or even a version of it), but the review should be helpful in any case. Each evening I'll check the postings on the forum and correct or delete any misinformation that I might find there. Posting questions and answers isn't a requirement, but there's not a single good reason not to post at least one Q & A.

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Subject:		Midterm Q &A
Name:		Kathryn "Brooke" Palmer
Date Posted:		Oct 23, 07 - 2:24 PM
Email:		kp3421@students.armstrong.edu
Message:		Q-In Frederick Douglass' speech "What to the Salve Is the Fourth of July?", he uses the element of Jeremiad. Define the three structures to a Jeremiad and then identify the movement of the Jeremiad throughout Douglass' speech. A-A Jeremiad is a device used throughout a speech to emphasize three elements. 1. consideration of the freedom promises in America's founding documents. Relies on Bible, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Emancipation Proclamation. (A stateted promise) 2. Detailed criticism of America's failure to fulfill this promise and can sometimes include a threat or warning. (Retrogression from promise, criticism) 3. Prophecy that America will achieve its promised greatness and enjoy unparalleled happiness. ("If"- regain or reshape of promise- "Call to action.") Douglass refers to the promises of America by addressing the founding fathers in the beginning of his speech. He discusses the "independence of the Fourth of July," and the "freedom" the country received. He then moves into the second stage of the Jeremiad. This second element is the main body of his speech. It is used to sway the audience's opinion and lead them to the realization of the LACK of freedom and equality promised by our country and founding fathers.He also takes this time to seperate himself from the crowd by his use of the pronoun "you." The third element, of action, is addressed at the end of Douglass' speech. Here, he begins to bring identification to the crowd by addressing them as "Fellow citizens," or using "we" instead of you. He offers a conclusion of enlightenment by using a commonplace of William Lloyd Garrison to conclude his speech.

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