Exploring the Text

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  1. How would you describe Benjamin Banneker’s stance in his letter? What tone does he use to create this stance with respect to his missive to Thomas Jefferson? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How would you describe Benjamin Banneker’s stance in his letter? What tone does he use to create this stance with respect to his missive to Thomas Jefferson? Explain.
  2. What are some of the values to which Banneker appeals? How do they contribute to his use of ethos and pathos?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What are some of the values to which Banneker appeals? How do they contribute to his use of ethos and pathos?
  3. Provide three examples of religious references in the letter. How do they contribute to Banneker’s purpose?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Provide three examples of religious references in the letter. How do they contribute to Banneker’s purpose?
  4. What is the comparison Banneker makes in paragraph 6? What is the likely effect on his reader, Secretary of State Jefferson?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is the comparison Banneker makes in paragraph 6? What is the likely effect on his reader, Secretary of State Jefferson?
  5. Banneker quotes Jefferson directly in paragraph 7. What is the rhetorical effect of this strategy?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Banneker quotes Jefferson directly in paragraph 7. What is the rhetorical effect of this strategy?
  6. In paragraph 7, Banneker accuses Jefferson of criminal cruelty and hypocrisy. How does Banneker’s stance and use of language aid his purpose? Is his approach likely to be persuasive or dissuasive? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In paragraph 7, Banneker accuses Jefferson of criminal cruelty and hypocrisy. How does Banneker’s stance and use of language aid his purpose? Is his approach likely to be persuasive or dissuasive? Explain.
  7. What is the main topic of Jefferson’s letter? Does it surprise you? Are you surprised at the brevity of Jefferson’s reply? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is the main topic of Jefferson’s letter? Does it surprise you? Are you surprised at the brevity of Jefferson’s reply? Explain.
  8. Jefferson writes, “I can add with truth, that no body wishes more ardently to see a good system commenced” (par. 1). Considering the powerful nature of Jefferson’s position, how might Banneker respond to Jefferson’s choice of the verb wishes? Might Banneker be disappointed with Jefferson’s message? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Jefferson writes, “I can add with truth, that no body wishes more ardently to see a good system commenced” (par. 1). Considering the powerful nature of Jefferson’s position, how might Banneker respond to Jefferson’s choice of the verb wishes? Might Banneker be disappointed with Jefferson’s message? Explain.