Short Essay Exam

Directions:

–Answer each short essay question directly and as clearly as possible. Analyze, do not summarize.

–Directly quote language from our readings, as appropriate, to support your claims/interpretations. (Citations aren’t necessary; just be accurate when you quote from our online readings.)

–Explain your reasoning. Don’t assume that it’s clear how/why a quotation supports your claims. Explain why you think it does so in your own words.

Question 1

Signs of potential conflict and division were common after Americans had achieved independence. Political leaders preached unity in the new country over sources of division. Which leader used rhetoric especially well to instill a sense of unity and national pride? What key rhetorical tactics did they use to do so?

1 paragraph

Question 2

During the early 1800s, Americans from all walks of life embraced the idea of democracy. Talk of democracy appeared across numerous speeches and writings.

Identify one of our readings from recent weeks that demonstrates this rhetorical embrace of democracy in US public address particularly well. How and why, in your interpretation, does it exemplify how the rhetoric of democracy became popular and influential?

2 paragraphs

Question 3

Abolitionist rhetoric profoundly impacted US public discourse in the 1830s and afterward. It remains an important model for the rhetoric of many different social movements today.

The rhetorical appeals of abolitionists were also remarkably inventive and diverse. Identify two documents that illustrate abolitionist rhetoric well. Use each document to analyze distinct rhetorical tactics that abolitionists used to influence public opinion.

4 paragraphs