When Equiano gained his freedom from

slavery, he became an avid abolitionist,

doing all he could to end the institution
of slavery. Abolitionist rhetoric used per-
suasive tools like logos (logic), pathos
(emotion), and ethos (ethics) to convince
people to fight for freedom. Prepare a re-
sponse to the following prompt:

What is the purpose of Equiano’s narra-

tive and what persuasive techniques does
he use to serve this purpose?

Remember:
Analyze the purpose of Equiano's narra-
tive and use evidence to develop your ar-
gument.

Questions to Consider:
- What is abolitionist rhetoric?
- How does Equiano use abolitionist
rhetoric in his narrative?
- What are some examples of emotional
appeals in Equiano's narrative? Logical
appeals? Ethical appeals?
- Why did Equiano structure his narrative
the way he did?
Equiano’s narrative serves the purpose of advocating for the abolition of slavery
by utilizing persuasive techniques such as logos, pathos, and ethos. Abolitionist
rhetoric refers to the language and strategies used by individuals like Equiano to
convince others to fight against slavery.

Equiano employs various persuasive tools in his narrative. Logos is evident when he
presents logical arguments against slavery, highlighting its economic inefficiency
and moral contradictions. For instance, Equiano argues that the mistreatment of
slaves leads to decreased productivity and ultimately harms slaveholders them-
selves.

Pathos is employed through emotional appeals that evoke sympathy and compassion
from readers. Equiano recounts his personal experiences of suffering and separation
from loved ones, aiming to elicit an emotional response that would motivate readers
to join the fight for freedom.

Ethical appeals are also utilized by Equiano as he emphasizes the immorality of

slavery. He highlights the inherent cruelty and injustice of enslaving fellow human
beings, appealing to readers' sense of morality.

The structure of Equiano's narrative is deliberate in achieving its purpose. He begins

with a description of his African heritage, establishing his credibility as a witness to
the horrors of slavery. By recounting his journey from freedom to enslavement and
eventual liberation, Equiano creates a compelling narrative arc that engages readers
emotionally while reinforcing his argument against slavery.

In conclusion, Equiano's purpose in writing his narrative was to advocate for

abolition by using persuasive techniques such as logos, pathos, and ethos. Through
logical arguments, emotional appeals, and ethical considerations, he aimed to con-
vince readers about the necessity of fighting against the institution of slavery. The
structure of his narrative further enhances its impact by providing a personal account
that resonates with readers on both intellectual and emotional levels.