‘Michael Asante: speaker
1 Senator Clinton fryers Her knowledge always seemed to me exhaustive; he ne
and some may beso frightened
‘There have been afew prescient” leaders in our pas, but you are the man for this ine
25 Good uckto you and tos.
‘Michae! Asante: More about the speaker and the
‘Michae! Asante: Presidential election, 1/22/2008,
Obama runs for office and gains Morison’s support
‘Michael Asante: Purpose ofthe lett
Michael Asante: Morrison is expressing her support for
Obama and whty she supports him. Sheexpresses she
that's my assumption. Mi
lettersaying she does not support Obama merely
because of his race, but because she believes he
isgenuinely the best fit candidate to lead our country
{and the most inteligent/wise. She ends theletter
wishing Obama luck in election.
‘Michael Asante: This isthe exigence (specific
‘occasion/event that prompted the message tobe told)
‘Michael Asante: Toni Mortis, as we know the only
African American woman to win a Nobel
therefore her opinion becomes valuable on
“mide of the road”
‘ype pitican
‘Michael Asar
order to appe:
audience. In doing this she is also making her self as
‘more credible and unbiased,
‘Michael Asante: The Democratic Candidate election of
2008 was certainly a significant event in the history of
‘America. For the first time, an African-American male,
‘Senator Barack Obama, and a Caucasian female,
Senator Hilary Clinton, would compete again each
other to become the 2008 Democratic candidate.
‘Michael Asante: This is what Morrison believed setDirections: Answer the following questions incomplete sentences on the handout, Your answers should be organized and
and include textual evidence to support your response,
1 Whats the writer's general subject and purpose? At least one (1) well developed paragraph
ofthe New York Times,
‘aes Part eee a ee,
‘Michael Asante: tis evident that Morrison's letter
helped Obama gain supporters, and positively
impacted his campaign, which was her objective, With
her credent ligence and passion, she helped
Barack Obama inhi efforts through positive
reinforcement. Ultimately she was successful,
‘achieved her purpose, and verified her claim through
the use of strong rhetorical
appeals.5. Does the writer have a particular purpose in reaching that audience?
Itis evident that Morrison’s leter helped Obama gain supporters, and positively
impacted his campaign, which was her objective. With her credentials, intelligence
and passion, she helped Barack Obama in his efforts through positive
reinforcement. Ultimately she was successful, achieved her purpose, and verified
her claim through the use of strong rhetorical appeals.
6. What tone does the writer use in addressing the audience? Write atleast one paragraph,
She adopts a direct and honest tone in order to appeal logically, as well as
emotionally to her audience. In doing this she is also making her self as more
credible and unbiased. As a result of this direct and honest tone her audience can
her motive.
clearly underst
7. Does the author use any figurative language? Ifso, identify it
The author does use figurative language. Towards the end of the speech she says "Someone whose moral center was un embargoed*?
‘we,” 20 not “they”?
‘Someone with courage instead of mere ambition’ Someone who truly thinks of his country’s citizens as “\
‘Someone who understands what it will take to help America realize the virtues it fancies about itself, what it desperately needs to
become in the world?" This is an example of anaphora. I know this because 'Someone’ because repetition of the same word or phrase
at the beginning of successive clauses or verses.