Cesar Chavez Rhetorical Analysis
Cesar Chavez was a labor union organizer and civil rights leader who promoted non violence. During the tenth anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights leader, Chavez wrote an article in a religious magazine about the need for nonviolent resistance. Cesar Chavez chooses the rhetorical strategies of historical allusions, juxtaposition of violence and nonviolence, pathos, and assertive diction to persuade agricultural and other labor workers that nonviolent resistance is the right path to fair treatment and equal rights. Cesar Chavez uses historical allusions to persuade labor workers of the use of nonviolence resistance for achieving their fight for fair treatment. Allusions makes references to historical
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His choice of words make him certain of his statements and makes his case for nonviolence a strong one. The specific use of the word “convinced” in several instances makes the impression on the audience that they are all sure of and believe in the statement. For example, Chavez states early on that “we are convinced that nonviolence is more powerful than violence” (lines 12-13). He makes this statement as if it were a fact and it takes on that status in the minds of readers convincing them that nonviolence is more powerful. Chavez chooses this rhetorical strategy to show the importance of the issue and how he is and everyone should feel strongly about nonviolence. This balances out his compassionate appeal to emotion and his understanding to create a strong yet understanding argument for nonviolence. Another instance of assertive diction is when Chavez uses the word “conviction” to describe their belief in right to life which is sacred (line 8-10). This implies that is it a crime to take life or to take unfair advantage of someone. These strong words grab the reader’s attention. They work because the farmers and laborers want a reason for continuing their long struggle and therefore believe in these statements. Assertive diction works well to persuade farmers to chose the path of nonviolent
His choice of words make him certain of his statements and makes his case for nonviolence a strong one. The specific use of the word “convinced” in several instances makes the impression on the audience that they are all sure of and believe in the statement. For example, Chavez states early on that “we are convinced that nonviolence is more powerful than violence” (lines 12-13). He makes this statement as if it were a fact and it takes on that status in the minds of readers convincing them that nonviolence is more powerful. Chavez chooses this rhetorical strategy to show the importance of the issue and how he is and everyone should feel strongly about nonviolence. This balances out his compassionate appeal to emotion and his understanding to create a strong yet understanding argument for nonviolence. Another instance of assertive diction is when Chavez uses the word “conviction” to describe their belief in right to life which is sacred (line 8-10). This implies that is it a crime to take life or to take unfair advantage of someone. These strong words grab the reader’s attention. They work because the farmers and laborers want a reason for continuing their long struggle and therefore believe in these statements. Assertive diction works well to persuade farmers to chose the path of nonviolent