Rhetoric In Colonial America

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Rhetoric was and is still an amazing tool used to convince and persuade others to sympathize with your ideals or cause. It was especially important within Colonial America and vital to the patriotic effort to denounce British rule. Without rhetorical propaganda the fires of revolution would have never been set aflame, and this wonderful nation that we inhabit today would not be. Through the pamphlet the “Bloody Butchery” the first wartime propaganda used by the American upper echelon was born and would be the just the beginning of a wonderful American tradition that would sway the people’s opinions and make them more affectionate to the American war effort. The key to any war effort and retaining a positive morale within the populace is displaying…show more content…
But, facts could be very beneficial and helpful to supporting your side no matter how you dress it. The makers of the “Bloody Butchery” were master modistes and dressed up the facts so well that it integrated the philosophical styles of logos and pathos to advance their cause. They achieved this by simply putting the facts out there with a personal spin to them by listing those who had their homes and businesses burnt by the British army. Giving those who knew these people a personal connection to the conflict, and even if you did not know them it is still just as powerful because that is a real person that is being affected by the current colonial strife. “In Lexington the enemy set fire to Deacon Joseph's Loring's house and barn, Mrs. Mulliken's house and shop, and Mr. Joshua Ind's house and shop, which were all consumed.’ The personal connection was further expounded by listing the dead patriots who died during the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord. It was no longer a nameless and faceless rabble rouser, but a real person who contributed to society and was loved by those around him. Tapping into the heart of the fellow colonials by using simple facts, was a key to changing the winds of public opinion during the American Revolution and War for

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