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Booker T Washington 1894 Atlanta Compromise Speech Analysis

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In Booker T. Washington’s 1895 Atlanta Compromise Speech, he is trying to convince his audience by using vivid imagery, allegories, repetition, and reasonable ideas. He uses an optimistic tone to convey four appeals. Throughout the whole speech, he establishes his credibility to a predominantly white audience to make his point stand out for the changes he believes are necessary.
Booker T. Washington delivers the 1895 Atlanta Compromise Speech to a white and black audience about the equality blacks and whites deserve. As a black speaker in the north, Washington influences and impresses many of the northern citizens with his moving speech. Washington brought with him “...evidence of racial progress in the South”. His audience contained the president and the board of directors as well as citizens.
In the beginning, Washington uses vivid imagery through his ideas. He begins his speech with strong statistics, “One-third of the population of the South is of the Negro race. No enterprise seeking the material, civil, or moral welfare of this section can disregard this element of our population and reach the highest success,” (Washington 1). Using logos in this speech shows his strong points to his audience revealing a realistic view of what is going on around them, and represent the kind of power the black population actually has. Washington also applies ethos in his opening statements by establishing his credibility and aspirations. “American Negro been more fittingly and generously recognized than by the managers of this magnificent Exposition at every stage of its progress. It is a recognition that will do more to cement the friendship of the two races than any occurrence since the dawn of our freedom,” (Washington 1). He uses this to to express his aspirations for the long run and establish where he stands. Without this section, Washington may not have everyone’s attention in the audience. The purpose may not be understood as clearly. Later in his speech, Washington uses strong rhetorical devices to deliver more examples of his point of view and feelings on this topic. Washington uses many powerful rhetorical devices throughout his speech, including this allegory, “A ship lost at sea for many days suddenly

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