english 11a - unit 5: everybody talks

read the passage from "what to the slave is the fourth of july?" part 2. i hear the doleful wail of fettered humanity, on the way to slave-markets where the victims are to be sold like horses, sheep, and swine knocked off to the highest bidder. what types of figurative language are used in this passage? select all that apply.

simile personification

to whom is douglass most likely referring when he speaks of the reformer?

the abolitionist

in "we shall overcome," president johnson speaks of his first job as a teacher in a small school on the border of mexico and america. johnson says, "... students were poor and ... often came to class without breakfast, hungry. and they knew, even in their youth, the pain of prejudice." what is the most likely reason that johnson includes the anecdote in this speech?

the anecdote establishes his credibility because he has direct experience with those affected by inequality.

how does the author's use of a rhetorical device in this passage contribute to the power of the text?

the author uses a metaphor to compare nations and streams, emphasizing the sometimes-violent changes that occur while continuing forward.

what effect does the author's use of rhetorical appeals have in this passage?

the author uses pathos to describe the heavy and humbling emotions he feels as he starts his speech. he wants the audience to understand his feelings as he gives his speech.

what key point does frederick douglass make in "what to the slave Is the fourth of july?" part 1?

the fourth of july is not a time of celebration for all americans.

what are the purposes for frederick douglass writing "what to the slave Is the fourth of july?" part 1? select all that apply.

to highlight the irony of recognizing the fourth of july as a celebration of equality to emphasize that the continued existence of slavery contradicts principles expressed in the constitution

what is the main purpose of "what to the slave is the fourth of july?" part 2?

to persuade the northern audience to insist on the abolition of slavery across the nation, not just to stop slavery from spreading

lesson 22

sound-based rhetorical devices

which passage from part 1 of "what to the slave is the fourth of july?" demonstrates douglass's intent to establish his credibility to the audience?

... for it is true that I have often had the privilege to speak in this beautiful hall, and to address many who now honor me with their presence.

which answer describes the rhetorical device of rhetorical question?

a question posed to an audience without the expectation of a reply to get it thinking about a specific topic, issue, or idea

which answer best defines the rhetorical device allusion?

a short reference to a historical event, well-known literary work, or a person, event, or object that the audience would be familiar with

which statement describes the rhetorical device of assonance?

a sound-based rhetorical device in which the same vowel sounds occur repeatedly in successive words

read the sentence from dr. martin luther king jr.'s "i have a dream" speech. i have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. what rhetorical device is used in this sentence?

alliteration

what is a key point of president obama's second inaugural address?

america still has work to do to ensure equality for all.

what is the effect of douglass's use of rhetoric in this passage?

because douglass knows the audience cannot provide reasonable responses to his questions, he clarifies how illogical and hypocritical it is to ask a black man, to whom equal rights and freedom are not extended, to celebrate independence with them.

read this sentence. grandpa jones is writing his will and intends to _[blank]_ half of his land to a dog-rescue organization as a site for a new shelter. which word correctly completes the sentence?

bequeath

read the sentence, which contains a misspelled word. if you want to earn a good grade in english composition, it is imperative to maintain coherancy in each paragraph. which answer corrects the spelling error?

coherency

what does douglass do in this passage to support his argument that blacks should not have to prove they are equal to whites in order to abolish slavery?

douglass uses parallel structure in a single, lengthy sentence to clearly demonstrate that blacks and whites are equal in actions, in deeds, and in beliefs.

read the passage from "we shall overcome" by lyndon b. johnson. i am grateful for this opportunity to come here tonight at the invitation of the leadership to reason with my friends, to give them my views, and to visit with my former colleagues. president johnson likely mentions that he is speaking "at the invitation of the leadership" to use which rhetorical appeal?

ethos

why does douglass use the rhetorical devices of allusion and alliteration in this passage? select all that apply.

he uses them to support his argument that, since the holiday is intended as an acknowledgment of national pride, it is ironic that members of the current generation feel that their apathy about working for equality is something to celebrate. he uses them to support his argument that the audience is celebrating freedom and justice while remaining silent about the existence of slavery. this demonstrates they have abandoned the fight for equality that their forefathers worked so hard to obtain for them.

read this sentence. a restive horse is _[blank]_. which word most accurately completes the sentence?

high-spirited

what best describes a key point expressed in "what to the slave is the fourth of july?" part 2?

in supporting slavery, america falsely represents itself as a nation that stands for freedom and equality.

read this sentence. every four years, america _[blank]_ a president at a ceremony in washington, dc. which word correctly completes this sentence?

inaugurates

which word is spelled correctly?

intolerable

read this sentence from a news report. us military forces today obliterated a weapons factory inside a terrorist stronghold. what happened to the weapons factory?

it was destroyed completely.

read this passage from "we shall overcome." there is no negro problem. there is no southern problem. there is no northern problem. there is only an american problem. how does johnson use a rhetorical device in this passage?

johnson's repetition of the phrase "there is no" creates a sharp contrast with the words "there is only" to emphasize that the issue of equality is the entire nation's concern.

read the passage. mark's convertable had a nearly imperceptable dent in the back bumper after a fender-bender in the grocery-store parking lot. though the damage was slight, mark will have to pay his $500 deductible before insurance will pay any of the costs. he said the maliceous driver who hit his car was at fault. which answers correct spelling errors in the passage? select all that apply.

malicious convertible imperceptible

lesson 23

more about rhetoric

read the sentence from president obama's second inaugural address. for we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. what can the audience infer based on this sentence?

obama intends to address the gap between the poor and the wealthy during his term as president.

which type of rhetorical device does douglass employ in this passage?

parallel structure

read the sentence. susan's pesimistic attitude toward life prevented her from experiencing much fun. which answer corrects a misspelled word in this sentence?

pessimistic

which word is spelled correctly?

retrieve

lesson 24

rhetoric and structure

lesson 21

rhetorical devices

read this passage from "we shall overcome." we cannot, we must not, refuse to protect the right of every american to vote in every election that he may desire to participate in. and we ought not, and we cannot, and we must not wait another eight months before we get a bill. we have already waited a hundred years and more, and the time for waiting is gone. how does the parallel structure in the passage contribute to the persuasiveness of the speech?

the passage's rhythm, repetition, and word choice establish a sense of urgency for americans to support equal-rights legislation immediately.

in "what to the slave is the fourth of july?" part 1, frederick douglass repeatedly addresses his audience as "fellow-citizens." which option best states how this repetition supports douglass's purpose?

the repetition emphasizes douglass's purpose: to express the idea that every american has the right to be called a citizen, regardless of skin color.

read this passage from "we shall overcome." i want to be the president who helped to feed the hungry and to prepare them to be tax-payers instead of tax-eaters. i want to be the president who helped the poor to find their own way and who protected the right of every citizen to vote in every election. i want to be the president who helped to end hatred among his fellow men, and who promoted love among the people of all races and all regions and all parties. what is the rhetorical purpose of the repetition in this passage? select all that apply.

the repetition emphasizes johnson's belief in justice, and he guarantees to the american people that he will do everything in his power to ensure equal rights for all. the repetition emphasizes johnson's frustration with poverty and inequality, and he assures the american people that he will personally assist those experiencing injustice.

how does frederick douglass's repetition of you and your affect the audience's understanding of the passage?

the repetition emphasizes the fundamental difference between douglass and his listeners by letting them know he does not share the same viewpoints about the importance of the fourth of july as they do.

read the passage from president obama's second inaugural address. together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce, schools and colleges to train our workers. together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play. together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life's worst hazards and misfortune. what best describes the intended effect of this passage?

the repetition of the "together, we..." statements makes the audience feel as if they have played a significant role in creating a great nation.

read this passage from a student's editorial posted in a school paper. three words come to mind when describing the school cafeteria experience. packaged. unhealthy. boring. how long before we start using these same words to apply to the educational experience? how close is the connection? how does the use of rhetorical fragments and questions in the passage affect the audience?

the rhetorical devices express strong dissatisfaction and develop the concern that students' negative perceptions may extend beyond school lunch.

read this anecdote from "we shall overcome." the negro citizen may go to register only to be told that the day is wrong, or the hour is late, or the official in charge is absent. and if he persists, and if he manages to present himself to the registrar, he may be disqualified because he did not spell out his middle name or because he abbreviated a word on the application. and if he manages to fill out an application, he is given a test. the registrar is the sole judge of whether he passes this test. he may be asked to recite the entire constitution, or explain the most complex provisions of state law. and even a college degree cannot be used to prove that he can read and write. how does lyndon johnson's use of this anecdote reveal a theme of this text? select all that apply.

through the story, johnson wants the audience to feel the same sense of frustration experienced by blacks trying to exercise their right to vote so that they will be more likely to support the voting rights bill. by relating what actually happens to blacks when they try to exercise their right to vote, johnson is explaining to the audience how blacks are routinely denied a basic right guaranteed by the constitution.

read this passage from "we shall overcome." above the pyramid on the great seal of the united states it says in latin: "god has favored our undertaking." god will not favor everything that we do. it is rather our duty to divine his will. the great seal of the united states symbolizes the founding beliefs and values of our nation. why does lyndon johnson allude to the great seal in his speech?

to suggest that by denying equal rights to all citizens, americans are not living up to their religious and patriotic duties

what is the main purpose of a rhetorical appeal?

to target an audience's specific emotions, beliefs, and opinions

president obama uses assonance to emphasize his points in his second inaugural address. which passage from the speech uses assonance most effectively to emphasize the point that an enduring component of the american value system is equal opportunity?

we are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an american; she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.

what evidence from president obama's second inaugural address most effectively supports the idea that americans today have a responsibility to future generations?

we, the people, still believe that our obligations as americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity.