• Quote 1: “Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting.”
  • Paraphrase: Whether we turn to the announcements that were made in the past or to the jobs of the present, actions and behaviors of America seem equally ugly and disgusting.
  • Response: I completely agree with this quote because of the many evidence shown for this to be true. America’s history has a more negative history than positive. From slavery to systemic injustice, to racism, to inequality for minorities and Women. The national anthem and what the fathers believe in doesn’t mean anything to the people of this nation

 

  • Quote 2: “We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and to the future.“
  • Paraphrase: We must use the past to help shape the present and future of this nation.
  • Response: The past should help teach the ignorant and shape the country in the present and in the future. The nation needs to take accountability for what has happened.

 

  • Quote 1: “He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I
    have.”
  • Identify the writing strategy you see Douglass using: Sensory details
  • Explain why you find this useful, persuasive, or effective in some way: This is effective because I can relate when it comes to speaking on something I’m passionate about or relatable to. He talks about a quailing sensation that he has while speaking about negroes and the national holiday and whoever can speak about it without feeling fearful, is better at pushing their emotions to the side

 

  • Quote 2: “Heavy billows, like mountains in the distance, disclose to the leeward huge forms of flinty rocks!”
  • Identify the writing strategy you see Douglass using: Analogy
  • Explain why you find this useful, persuasive, or effective in some way: This is effective because when I read the saying, I imagined dark, heavy clouds reigning on top of mountains.