Rhetorical Analysis Of Self-Reliance By Ralph Waldo Emerson

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In his essay “Self-Reliance,” Ralph Waldo Emerson uses a range of rhetorical strategies to guide and inspire his 19th century American readers. For example, Emerson begins his piece with a personal anecdote. He says that he “read the other day some verses written by an eminent painter which were original and not conventional” (549). By sharing his personal experience, Emerson establishes his credibility and makes his work relatable to his readers. It is as if Emerson is suggesting that his anecdote of reading “some verses written by an eminent painter” is the model behavior that everyone should follow (549). Emerson also references authority to inspire his 19th century readers. He claims that “the highest merit we ascribe to Moses, Plato,

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