Thomas Jefferson's and Frederic Douglass's Use of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos

Thomas Jefferson's and Frederic Douglass's Use of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos

Introduction

Thomas Jefferson and Frederick Douglass are considered as two well-known figures of American history. Their styles of writing are observed to be different. It was due to the difference of their status and background they are belonged to. Fredrick Douglas was a black slave while Thomas Jefferson possessed a prestigious position as he was a rich white southerner. They both were striving hard for independence, but in their own way. It was disliked by Jefferson to live as a second-class citizen by Britain. In this aspect, Douglass has similar emotions but more defensible struggling against slavery.

Discussion

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson uses a number of symbolic appeals throughout the Declaration of Independence. He reveals ethos, pathos and logos because he describes the importance of freedom to his nation. At first, he uses logos. First paragraph is completely based on addressing the readers the significance of freedom. He addresses the nation that it is the point when nation has to consider the importance of freedom as a serious matter. Their dependency on Britain should be finished and they should strive to live as an independent nation by believing in God's strength.

He continued using logos in emphasizing on the importance of the declaration of as he explained that it would “secure these rights,” which affected liberty, life, and the recreation of happiness. On e more time, logos were used when Jefferson was discussing all the blunders that were done by the King of Britain. The facts were presented by him very logically as evidence that is easily understandable by everyone. Thomas Jefferson use pathos as well in his declaration. As in the second paragraph, he is conveying the suffering of the 13 colonies, and the ...