During the 1790s, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, creator of the Declaration of Independence and Secretary of State to President George Washington . In this letter, Benjamin expresses his negative views on slavery. He exposes the injustices of slavery and shares other people's experiences and how slavery affected them and himself. He uses rhetorical appeals to support his argument by connecting to readers who already experienced slavery and appealing to their emotions. In writing this letter, Benjamin uses ethos, pathos, and repetition to express his argument against slavery. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Banneker uses ethos to establish credibility and audience trust. He does this by referencing the Declaration of Independence and using his own words against the idea of ​​slavery. He says, “All men are created equal” and “among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” which proves that Banneker is knowledgeable and trustworthy. He also talks about Job in the Bible and is able to connect it to the difficulties that African Americans faced during slavery. Banneker also uses pathos through emotional diction to create sympathy in readers. This is seen when he speaks of “groaning captivity” and “cruel oppression.” By acknowledging the condition of slavery, he is able to show the hardships of slavery and elicit sympathy from readers. He personalizes it so that readers pity him even more by using pronouns like "his" in "his brothers". He continues to say that violence has become part of his daily life. It also helps keep readers engaged while reading the letter. He tries to make Jefferson understand that change is necessary regarding slavery. Banneker uses repetition to appeal to Jefferson respectfully and with the feeling of an authority figure. Banneker opens his letters with “sir” and continually repeats it throughout the letter. This shows that even though he does not agree with Jefferson's ideals regarding slavery, it shows that he respects it. He thinks that if he repeats "sir" enough, Jefferson will realize his wrongs. He uses “sir” to reason with Jefferson and tries to get him to listen to his opinions. By using "sir", he shows Jefferson that even though you have treated African Americans badly, I will still treat you with respect and be the better person. It is also difficult for Jefferson to become angry at these new ideals if he is continually treated and respected throughout the letter. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Paper EssayBanneker uses pathos, ethos, and repetition to support his argument and convince Jefferson that slavery was wrong. Using his credibility through the use of historical documents, he is able to show readers that he is educated and capable of supporting his fellow African Americans in their freedom from slavery. He is able to make readers sympathize with others and convince readers and finally perhaps also with Jefferson. Quick Examples for Benjamin Banneker Essays The Use of Ethos in Benjamin Banneker's Letter Explore how Benjamin Banneker employs ethos in his letter to Thomas Jefferson to establish his credibility and make.