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Neo-Classic Literature


            Persuasive writings and speeches have been a starting point for the shaping of mankind and history throughout the ages, rallying men together for a cause and making long term changes for the world. Early colonial patriots used it to help create our country today, setting out to rid the west of tyranny and hoping to create their own utopia. Patrick Henry's "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention," Thomas Jefferson's "Declaration of Independence," and Thomas Paine's "The Crisis" are all attempts to persuade their audiences to accept their patriot ideas and come together against the British. .
             Patrick Henry's address to the Second Virginia Convention's purpose was to bring all of Virginia's representatives together against Great Britain. Henry succeeded by not offending his audience, by stating the injustices being inflicted on everyone present and putting the choice of what to do about the situation in terms that favored his views. In the opening of the speech Henry states "No man thinks more highly than I do of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house"(Henry 147). By doing so he's complementing the faction who have views contrary to his, this is a key factor in persuading someone because it gives the audience the same respect he expects and needs to be successful. The fact that Henry states that Virginia is being ruled tyrannically was an effective means of persuading them to see things his way simply because it was such a bold statement, being in a British government house and in a time when men were hanged for such accusations. I think it broke the ice for people to be able to acknowledge the fact without being afraid or at least grabbed their attention. The third and most important way that I think Henry persuades is by saying "I think it nothing more than a question of freedom or slavery." (Henry 148). This statement is so effective because it narrows the choice for the people down to two simple things and Henry makes his choice the favorable and more appealing one and in such a manner without condemning anyone who opposes it but scaring the people to his side.


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