Rhetorical Analysis Of Booker T Washington Speech

In his speech, Booker T Washington spoke to a predominantly white audience. As a black man, this demographic affected his argument and influenced how he chose to speak. He wanted to convince the audience that in order to transition from slavery to freedom, it was important to realize the equal dignity represented in both manual and skilled labour. That in order to climb to the top, common labour must be respected.
Washington encouraged his white audience to reach out to the Negroes around them, who populated a third of the South. If they were to help the Negroes, they would then return the favor and contribute to society instead of dragging it down. Washington reminded the audience that the only way to move forward was to bring everyone, people

of all races, along into a new age of equality.
One of Washington’s greatest strengths in his speech was how he both introduced and concluded his speech with flattery and gratitude. He thanked his audience, at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, for their constant support and recognition that would help to pave the way towards a brighter future. Washington also offered the aid of his people, and promised the prosperity of both their races. These strategies helped him connect to his audience and gain their further support.
His speech could have been improved if Washington had gone more into depth of how losing the black labour force in the South would truly change their economy for the worse. That if the Negroes left, or refused to continue working, the effect would be drastic for individuals as well. These details could frighten the audience into taking action, for fear of their own prosperity and success.