Susan B Anthony Rhetorical Analysis

Whether being said or being written, there is always a purpose behind the way words are utilized. Words, oftentimes, educate, inform, or even deceive the minds of individuals, but the true power they derive from has brought about the contribution of others resulting in effective outcomes. Although words hold many different purposes, its key motive is evident when used to sway an individual’s position in public controversial matters. The influence that writing and speech can induce, based on the use of words through diction, tone, and pathos, is what creates change in individual’s perspectives on social views.

Beneficial to shaping the views on society related topics, one should consider the choice of diction to use. It is critical to choose

accurate words when trying to convey an important message. Choosing the right words can allow a speaker to be more persuasive, credible, and influential. Failing to do so can disinterest the audience, causing them to reject or discredit views on a topic. One speaker who selects his choice of diction to influence his audience is African-American Cilvil Rights Movement leader, Martin Luther King Jr. In his speech, “I Have a Dream”, Dr. King carefully picks his words that best convey his message that no matter the color of your skin, race, or gender, everyone deserves full freedom and equality. For example, Dr. King states that “all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last!” (Martin Luther King Jr.). The fact that his choice of words are associated to not just one type of person, but all, makes it hold a more impactful effect. Because the words were so inclusive, yet very direct and personal, they have the power to influence and alter multiple views on racial equality. The intention in using this particular diction was to distinctively include all individuals and alter the perspectives of not one person, but everyone in general. Dr. King also repeatedly uses the words “I have a dream today!” (Martin Luther King Jr.). The word “dream” gives off the sense of hope and inspiration to reaching the goal of equality. The word “today” gives off the sense of immediacy, directly influencing his audience to join together, get involved, and take a stand in the fight. It is clear that the choice of diction can ultimately make a speaker more effective and credible in a way where views on social struggles, like racial inequality, can be altered and result in a successful outcomes.
To influence and bring change to the views on certain social matters, one would also need to think about the overall tone.

When attempting to communicate an important message, it is extremely necessary to have some type of attitude expressed through your words. Conveying the right tone will not only draw people in but also make the speaker more plausible. One speaker who has succeeded in using tone to influence her audience was an advocate for women’s suffrage, Susan B. Anthony. In her speech, “On Women’s Right to Vote”, Anthony uses tone through her words to help relay the message that women who are citizens of the United States deserve the right to vote and run for office. For example, Anthony states that, “women are citizens; and no state has a right to make any law, or to enforce any old law, that shall abridge their privileges or immunities” (Anthony). Words like “enforce,” “law,” and “privilege,” help Anthony create a more formal and official tone making the speech sound more impressive. Her matureness as a speaker makes her argument sound intelligent which will only gravitate and sway the standpoints of more listeners and followers, especially those who are not women. Essentially, the authoritative tone is what influences individuals, and although the governments perspectives were not changed while Anthony was alive, it is still evident that the tone in her speech made everything more convincing and caused the government to reconsider their choices. Due to her influential words and actions, people’s perspective on social issues, like women’s rights, have changed

dramtically.
Lastly, in order for speech or writing to influence and create change in individual’s perspective on social views, it is important to include an appeal to pathos. This particular device has to deal with the audience’s emotions. An appeal to pathos essentially causes readers to not only respond emotionally, but to understand the speaker’s viewpoint on a specific topic. With this, a reader is more likely to see what the speaker sees, and feel what the speaker feels. It ultimately brings a better understanding and clearer perspective on a subject matter. One speaker who utilizes this rhetorical device to change his audience’s views is the first openly gay politician, Harvey Milk. In his speech, “You Cannot Live on Hope Alone”, Milk relies on the use of sympathetic appeal and imagination to deliver the message that gay people should be elected in office so children who are also gay have “hope for a better world” and “a better tomorrow” (Harvey). For example, Harvey says that a child who suddenly realizes they are gay “knows that if their parents find out they will be tossed out of the house [and that] their classmates will taunt [them]” (Harvey). These words have the ability to evoke feelings of sympathy and pain through the audience. Its purpose is to make people personally relate and imagine themselves if put in the same situation. Harvey also says that, “[the gay] child has several options: staying in the closet, and suicide” (Harvey). Once again, the reason behind this sentence is to appeal to the audience’s emotions. Fundamentally, the appeal to pathos can provide a writer's message the ultimate power to move and influence an audience to a certain decision, action, or mindset. Although Milk is not alive today, his words continue to remain influential, creating change in people’s stance in gay rights to this day.