Rhetorical Analysis Benjamin Franklin Join, Or Die

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“Join, or Die” Rhetorical Analysis
Looking back in American history, it is needless to say that there were many trials and tribulations that were overcome to achieve the freedom U.S citizens have today. In retrospect, it is astonishing how the colonists were oppressed by the British for more than a century and finally joined together with courage to revolt against them. This type of revolution would not have been alive if it were not for the art of rhetoric. Political icons in American history used rhetoric to stoke the wrath of colonists to revolt against the British. Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, significantly used visual rhetoric to persuade the colonies to unite together with his first political cartoon entitled, “Join, or Die,” which was published in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754. Benjamin Franklin used his credibility to establish a well-crafted rhetorical illustration, in which its symbolization, initials, and caption all play an active role in the ground breaking drawing, which changed the minds of colonists towards the pursuit of freedom that is exercised today.
Benjamin Franklin’s reputation during this time is what fueled “Join, or Die” to be more than just a drawing. He contributed many scientific inventions as well as insightful publications to society. His contributions earned him the credibility and reputation for being an intelligent individual. “Join, or Die” was the first political cartoon to be published in a newspaper like the Pennsylvania Gazette, indicating that impacted drawings such as this were not familiar to the public yet. Due to Franklin’s positive and respectful ethos, this political cartoon was taken with more consideration, instead of being tossed off as a mediocre sketch in a newspape...

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... towards the colonies that are individually recognized. The failure to independently recognize each of the thirteen colonies in their own respect hinders his degree of persuasion towards his audience. Although there were snags in Benjamin Franklin’s political cartoon, it nevertheless accomplished its goal of persuading the colonists to band together as a harmonized force against the British for freedom.
It is undeniable that Benjamin’s Franklin’s rhetorical methods were successful in his political cartoon, “Join, or Die”. The visual captured the minds of many colonists and led them towards the idea of revolution, and it is still appreciated today. Although there were drawbacks in the illustration, it nevertheless accomplished persuasion, and it is one of the many contributions that pushed colonists into fighting for the freedom that is exercised in America today.

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