Well, not to brag, but I totally nailed that! And I am guessing that you did too. We are more than ready to take this on AP Lang! I was not able to get the links. Is that an old lady problem or were they not there!
Anway, she is asking us to write a paragraph explaining how she uses comparison to APPEAL to her son. You can pause the video at 35:40 to see the actual assignment. She helped you pick out the strategies, one is a metaphor, the other is the allusion. The trick is answering HOW.
Write your paragraph, and then choose two classmates on whose paragraph you should comment. Try to make sure every classmate has a comment.
We are so ready for this. I'm feeling more confident every day. I know this is hard. Stay with me. We will get through this! We will. I am praying for each of you BY NAME!
In her letter to her son, Abigail Adams uses comparison to effectively address several parts of the rhetorical situation and create a convincing argument. When she compares a traveler, her son, to a river (55), she explains that the farther a river is from the source, the stronger the flow becomes and the more nutrients it encounters. This enforces the writer’s belief that growth lies in challenges, and her son will become stronger in several aspects if he endures on his journey far from home, or his “source”. This example provides encouragement and perhaps a slightly different perspective for the audience. Also, in the allusion to Cicero in the fourth paragraph, Abigail Adams explains how he was able to create such effective habits for himself by enduring difficulties. He was a distinguished public figure, which was a goal Adams and her son shared for him. This comparison uses their shared value of the heroic qualities of a good statesman, and enforces her claim that embracing the difficulties he is experiencing will lead to personal development in these areas.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you opened your paragraph, I thought it was good to insert “rhetorical situation” since we heard so much about it in today’s class. Your explanations were spot on in my opinion, and to be honest, I pretty much had the same thoughts on my analysis. This was a well developed paragraph, good job, Kara!
DeleteOne simple yet helpful thing I noticed about yours was that you used line numbers, something I should’ve added. I thought your explanations of why the comparisons would’ve appealed to John Quincy were very thorough and complete, and I especially liked how you compared his goals of success as a public figure with Cicero.
DeleteGood observation Joe. That is a great way to signal the line!
DeleteAlso, I couldn’t get the links either. I don’t think they were attached.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I will make sure I double check it tomorrow. I have tried it a bunch of different ways, so I'll try and put it in straight from the youtube channel tomorrow.
DeleteAbagail Adams uses comparisons to appeal to her son, conveying her argument about the value of experiencing the challenges of travel abroad. Beginning on line 55, Abagail uses a metaphor of a river compared to a traveler, who in this case is her son, John Quincy, and explains how the farther the river flows from the source that it started at, the larger the stream becomes, since it sweeps up different minerals and particles. The audience can assume undoubtedly that the same applies for the traveler, her son. The farther he travels from his “source” at home, the larger quantities of minerals, or experiences, he will be able to pick up along the way. This appeals to the pathos of her audience, John Quincy, because it gives him motivation, and some encouragement from his affectionate mother. Along in the letter, she inserts an allusion to Cicero, and how even though he encountered brutal tyranny, he still formed himself into a sharp statesman. This really attacks the ethos as both characters share the same values of a hero, since John Quincy will one day become president, and that though he may not be the best he can be yet, his experiences along this journey will forever shape him into the heroic leader he was later on.
ReplyDeleteReferencing the value of experience in the beginning was a great way to bring it back to the basics, and make sure you’re on the right track as that is the basis of the original prompt, good call on that. I also liked the specific reference to ethos and pathos, it displayed that you knew exactly how the comparisons were working for the argument, which was the whole point. Nice work, Mark.
DeleteI liked that you restated what Abigail’s message was again at the beginning of your paragraph because it made it easier to see how her comparisons fit in with her purpose. You did an especially good job explaining the comparisons, but the explanation of why they would appeal to John Quincy still sounded like it could use some more.
DeleteIn her letter to her son, Abigail Adams successfully uses different types of comparisons to make her argument that John Quincy Adams’ experiences on his journey will help him become a better man and statesman. The first comparison she uses is a metaphor, and in this metaphor, she compares a traveler to a river and spring. The further a river flows from its source, the more waterways join into it, increasing in size. The further a spring flows from its source, the more minerals it picks up along the way. This comparison illustrates the idea that John Quincy Adams will grow intellectually while away from home on his voyage. The letter has already revealed, he is quick to agree with his mother’s advice, and often, all he needs is a little push, so this simple, yet powerful metaphor is exactly what he needed to hear. Also, because he was originally reluctant, he would be open to her encouragment, which is precisely what this comparison does. Later, Adams uses an allusion to describe how Cicero only reached his great success after being roused “by the tyranny of Catiline, Verres, and Mark Anthony.” She uses this comparison to tell her son that in contending with the difficulties of his journey, he will become a better man and statesman. This specific comparison is particularly effective for John Quincy Adams because he desires to reach Cicero’s same status of success but as a statesman. Additionally, the Adams have all just dealt with tyranny, so this was an especially relatable comparison. In this way, Abigail’s use of comparison is effective because it carefully considers its audience, her son.
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DeleteJoe, you were very concise and effective in your explanations of both cases of comparison. You were able to say something about the author, writer, and purpose in both cases without the paragraph being overwhelming. Well done!
DeleteI like how you connected the metaphors to his life so thoroughly. I think it really strengthens your explanations and makes the purpose behind the comparisons crystal clear.
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ReplyDeleteIn Abigail Adams letter to her son, she used metaphors and allusions to further convince her want for her son to take advantage of his trip. By using these comparison techniques that fit with the letters rhetorical situation, Adams was able to successfully appeal to her sons ethos. In line 55, Adams makes her first metaphor about a traveler and a river. This comparison showed that the further a traveler goes from his original point, the more he will grow, similarly to how a river’s stream will expand as it leaves its source. This metaphor aligns with the rhetorical situation because it will convince her son that while he is away from home he will grow as a statesman and gain new experiences. Adams also makes an allusion to Cicero in her letter. Cicero was a man who faced political difficulties or tyranny. These difficulties did not hurt him as a person however, but transformed him into a better statesman. This fits with her case to her son, because even if he does not enjoy his trip and finds it difficult to be away from home, it will help him reach the expectations of being politically successful like his father.
ReplyDeleteI like your commentary about both examples. You nailed it too!
DeleteMegan you really hit the nail on the head with this! You pulled just exactly what the teacher in the class said, yet you made it so your own. It was easy to read which I enjoy, but it was also, much like Chelsea’s, nice and specific. You were straightforward, which in all honesty, could not be more important! Good job
DeleteGreat job! You explained the examples very well, in words that were understandable and flowed together. The final sentences of the paragraph summed up your point in a great way.
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ReplyDeleteIn order to convince her son, John Quincy, that traveling to France with his father is an opportunity for valuable experiences and to encourage him to participate fully in the experience, Abigail Adams uses several comparisons in her letter. The fifty-fifth line is where Adams compares her overseas son with a river by using a well-constructed metaphor. The further her son is from home, the more knowledge he will gain and the more growth he will undergo. The metaphor is so efficient because she understands her audience, which is her son. Adams utilizes logic and hints that her son must grow as a person before he can become a successful statesman and adult; this journey will help him develop his character. Adams also uses an allusion to Cicero, who is a man who helped establish democracy in ancient Rome despite oppressing tyranny. Tyranny plays an important role in this allusion. The Revolutionary War had recently ended when this letter was written, which means John Quincy had witnessed the fallout and calamities of the war. Adams reminds him that it is his duty to engage in this experience so he can craft a heroic character in himself that is similar to Cicero. This comparison brings ethos to the spotlight since Adams is calling out her son’s responsibility to not only himself, but also to his country.
ReplyDeleteI like how you focused on the logic Adams used as even though she was appealing to her son, there is context that he will follow in the career pattern of his father. Nice job
DeleteChels, this was nice and specific. I think that’s what I enjoyed most! Your wording is always impeccable, but how precise you were here really stood out to me. It was simple, but detailed. This was really good!
DeleteMetaphors and allusions play a large role in Abigail Adams letter to her son, John Quincy. By implementing such use of literary technique, she is able to appeal to John in order to show him the value of his ventures. A river compared to a traveler is Adams first use of metaphor (16-20). She does this to show the similarities between these very different entities and her son. By doing so, she hopes to display a sense of growth; for example, the farther the water flows the larger it become and that is because it picks up pieces of nature or the world, along the way. Therefore, she is attempting to explain to John that this journey is going to make him far more cultured and developed than he would be otherwise, just like the river. The allusion comes into play when Adams mentions Cicero (30-34). She does this to show that even in times of trial and adversity Cicero faced it and came out valiant, in turn, implying her son can do just that if he pushes past his struggles and tackles them head-on.
ReplyDeleteNice job Olivia! I like how detailed you were when describing the metaphor. By doing this I was able to understand how it completely fits the rhetorical situation.
DeleteYour descriptions and word choice made this paragraph have a very strong point. You explained everything in well written and understandable words, good work!
DeleteThe details that you used to support the comparison and metaphor were very well written and explained.
DeleteIn a passionate letter to her traveling son, Abigail Adams uses comparison and allusion to highlight the advantageousness of John Quincy taking the trip. Beginning in line 16 and ending in line 20, Adams shares an experience where an author compares a traveler to a river. Adams uses this to compare her son, as a traveler, to a river. The farther the river flows and passes through minerals, the better its quality becomes. This alludes to the point Abigail is trying to make, that John will be able to garner experience and knowledge by venturing on this trip. This comparison serves as a great example as to why Adams wants her son to prosper, it also gives the audience further reasoning for the letter’s purpose. After speaking about the comparison itself, it can be inferred that the source of the river correlates to her mentioning, in line 22, that John has an advantage because he has been instructed under the eyes of tender parents. She insinuates that there is no reason why he cannot flow like the river and become better because he comes from a good source (good parents). Adams begins an allusion to Cicero in line 30, which secures the point that nothing was ever gained without dealing with adversity. In lines 37-41, Adams speaks about the great character building that comes from the mind dealing with scenes that engage the heart. The qualities that come from this form the character of a hero and a statesman. Adams encourages her son to acknowledge the difficulties he may face and use them to better himself.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is explained very well. The comparison and metaphor are written very cleared and the explanations are easy to understand.
DeleteOh my, I never thought about Abigail may have used the river metaphor as a way of telling her son that he comes from an impressive source. You used a lot of specific lines to cite your sources, which I appreciate, as it showed me that you dissected the passage carefully whilst making sure to back up your statements. Well done!
DeleteAs were most, you were extremely clear with your explanation with the metaphors. I liked how you made the connection with the advantage John had on his voyage with his father, that most men do not have those types of opportunities. Well written.
DeleteAbigail Adams uses comparisons as her main way to show her son that the trip he is a part of will teach him good life lessons. By explaining herself in this way, her son can understand why the trip is important and that he should use it and all of the advantages. She first compares her son and a river. This helps her son see how he can grow and become a better man. The river will grow the farther away it gets from the original source. This can be compared to John because if he travels the world to learn new things he will become more culture and smarter. His parents have given him a good source with everything that he will need to grow and learn. Abigail then adds an allusion involving Cicero. This has the meaning that Cicero was faced with tough times that tested his strength. Without giving up he got through them and became stronger just like Abigail wants her son to do on the trip.
ReplyDeleteI like how you took the river metaphor for what it is, accepted its intended interpretation, but also explained it in a way that makes sense to you. I think you really dissected the comparisons Adams used and wrote them in a way that is clear and easy to understand in your paragraph. Nice job!
DeleteYou did a good job of explaining the comparisons in a simple but thorough manner. I like that you included that his parents are a part of the river metaphor as the original source, that didn't occur to me so clearly.
DeleteAbigail Adams utilizes comparison in her appeal to her son. This provides new perspectives for John Quincy to consider and ultimately be influenced by. A strong example of this can be seen in line 55, when Abigail compares a traveler to a river in order to display the ways that her son can benefit from his struggle. She talks about how a river becomes wider as it gets farther away from its source, as well as how the river becomes enriched with minerals. Abigail easily transitions into how a traveler, her son, can experience the same thing while traveling away from home. Abigail also includes an allusion to Cicero in line 30. She explained how Cicero went through a lot of adversity, but became a better man for it. Both of these comparisons are easily compared to John Quincy's life and are an effective argument for taking the situation he was in and growing from it.
ReplyDeleteAbigail Adams, in her letter to her son, uses ideas of language such as comparisons to create an argument to effectively appeal her son. She tries to convince her son that what he is doing on this journey is going to benefit him. He will become a better man. A metaphor is used in line 55. The metaphor compares a traveler to a river. She makes it clear the traveler is her son, John Quincy Adams, and he is like a river because the further he gets from home, the more nutrients and minerals he is picking up. The further away from the source he is, the stronger his flow is. The source is his mother and home, and she is sad he is away but knows it is good for him. An allusion is also used. The author alludes to Cicero, and relates it to him by saying even in hard times, he allowed himself to resurface with a good outcome. In times of difficulty, he used it to better himself. Him and his mother shared the dream of him becoming an important public figure, so this feat includes pathos, as it is emotional for them that he was able to become president. These comparisons and allusions are effective in persuading her son, because it is specifically written toward him, and she knows that that is what is important for her son to hear.
ReplyDeleteAbigail Adams’ letter to her son, heavy with rhetorical overtures, hopes to appeal to his intellectual palate. To do this, she uses metaphors and a very bold allusion. Abigail uses the metaphor of a traveler to a river (beginning on line 55). The traveler represents John Quincy. A river’s current becomes strong and branches off the further it is away from its source. John Quincy’s source is his home, but as he perseveres challenges he will become like the river. The author instates confidence in her son. Abigail alludes to the rousting of Cicero to becoming a great leader of yesteryear in paragraph four. Everyone needs a nudge in the right direction at one time or another to reach their full potential. Abigail’s words are all heavily armed with intent, thus being a good example of rhetoric appeal.
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