Puritan Foundations
What role did religion play in Puritan life and literature?
Religion influenced nearly every part of life, and literature often focused on faith, sin, salvation, and devotion to God.
Which rhetorical appeal is based on emotion?
Pathos.
What are unalienable rights?
Fundamental rights that cannot justly be taken away.
This writer used a widely circulated pamphlet to make independence understandable to ordinary colonists.
Thomas Paine.
A speaker describes starving children to make the audience feel sympathy and fear. Which appeal is being used?
Pathos.
What did Puritans believe about human nature?
Humans were naturally sinful and depended on God’s grace for salvation.
Which rhetorical appeal is based on evidence and reasoning?
Logos.
What does “consent of the governed” mean?
A government receives its legitimate authority from the people it governs.
This speaker urged Virginia delegates to prepare for armed resistance against Britain.
Patrick Henry.
A speaker begins by recognizing the intelligence and patriotism of people who disagree with him. Which appeal does this build?
Ethos.
Name two common characteristics of Puritan writing.
Acceptable answers include direct language, biblical references, personal reflection, religious devotion, and examination of sin.
Which rhetorical appeal is based on credibility, character, or shared values?
Ethos.
Why would a political writer provide a long list of examples after stating a major claim?
The examples provide evidence that supports and proves the claim.
This formerly enslaved writer used firsthand experience to expose the cruelty of the slave trade.
Olaudah Equiano.
A writer explains that previous attempts have failed and therefore a different action is necessary. Which appeal is being used?
Logos.
Why did Puritan writers frequently examine their own thoughts, actions, and emotions?
They wanted to evaluate their spiritual condition and relationship with God.
What is the difference between anaphora and parallelism?
Anaphora repeats words at the beginnings of nearby clauses, while parallelism repeats grammatical structures.
According to Enlightenment thinking, when may people change or abolish their government?
When the government repeatedly violates their rights or fails to protect them.
This elder statesman encouraged delegates to compromise and support an imperfect Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin.
“We will speak for justice. We will fight for justice. We will sacrifice for justice.” Which device appears at the beginning of each sentence?
Anaphora.
A Puritan writer describes suffering but ultimately expresses gratitude toward God. What belief does this demonstrate?
Earthly hardship should strengthen faith and remind people of their dependence on God.
Why might a persuasive writer acknowledge an opposing argument?
Addressing a counterargument makes the writer appear fair and informed while creating an opportunity to show why the opposing position is weaker.
Why might a revolutionary writer combine universal principles with specific examples of government abuse?
The principles establish the standard for legitimate government, while the examples prove that the existing government has violated that standard.
This Enlightenment-influenced writer argued that government exists to protect natural rights.
Thomas Jefferson.
A writer repeatedly compares political control to imprisonment. Identify the technique and explain its likely effect.
An extended metaphor. It presents political control as a loss of freedom and creates fear, anger, and urgency in the audience.