In “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July,” Frederick Douglass draws upon principles stated in the Declaration of Independence to highlight the contradictions between the nation’s ideals and practice with regard to human rights. Similarly, Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman?” utilizes rhetoric to deliver a powerful message. She boldly vouches for women to have the same rights as men and asserts her claims that women, even African American women, were worthy of respect and rights in the United States of America. What rhetorical techniques do Douglass and Truth use to convince their audience to accept their claim? Explain how the rhetorical strategies of each author reinforce their argument. Which writer gets the message across more effectively, and why?
