Albert Einstein's Response To Sixth-Grader Phyllis Wright

In a response to sixth-grader Phyllis Wright’s inquiry about prayers in scientists’ lives, Albert Einstein employs rhetorical appeals to character and reason in order to encourage thought from her but ultimately answers her question insufficiently. Since it is already understood that Einstein is the writer, he does not need to establish his credibility. However, he does take advantage his reputation to make broad, encompassing statements about scientists that few others could. For example, an amateur scientist would only be able to represent himself, but Einstein can accurately portray the scientific community by using first person pronouns like “our” and “we” and making generalizing statements about “everyone who is involved in science.” Not