Truth, Tensions, and Triumphs: "Ain't I a Woman?" Lessons 2.2.3

Lesson 2.2.3 Truth, Tensions, and Triumphs: "Ain't I a Woman?"

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November 20th

Learners can:

• revise sentences to correct parallel structure and maintain clarity

• identify the role intersectionality plays in Truth's argument

• describe how the word choices and rhetorical strategies used in this text differ from those used in texts read previously in the unit

Vocabulary: intersectionality

In a past lesson, you learned that parallel structure or parallelism refers to the repetition of a grammatical pattern
within a sentence or among sets of sentences.

Repeating a pattern ensures that the information is presented in a consistent and balanced manner: the listed elements receive similar emphasis.

Today, you will continue to enhance your understanding of parallelism in writing.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an example of parallel structure?

• Women fought for the right to vote in elections, having a voice in government, and to change unfair laws.

• Activists held protests, wrote petitions, and gave speeches to demand voting rights.

• Activists were marching in the streets, wrote letters to leaders, and giving speeches at events.

Parallel structure is useful in argumentative writing because it creates rhythm, emphasizes key points, and makes ideas clearer and more persuasive to the reader.

One speaker who understood the power of language, including parallel structure, to make an argument persuasive, was Sojourner Truth. You will read her speech “Ain't I a Woman?” in this lesson and compare its use of rhetorical strategies with another speech you read before, Susan B. Anthony's “Is It a Crime to Vote?”

Word choice and rhetorical strategies like rhetorical questions, repetition, and anecdotes enhance the impact of the argument by reinforcing key points, providing relatable examples, and prompting reflection. Together, these tools help to create a compelling, memorable, and convincing argument.

One speaker who understood the power of language to make an argument persuasive, was Sojourner Truth.

In “The electrifying speeches of Sojourner Truth,” you learned about the:

• challenges faced by enslaved individuals, including the separation of families and the slow progress of abolition;

• resilience and determination of Sojourner Truth in fighting for her rights and the custody of her children; and

• impact of Sojourner Truth's activism, both as an influential speaker and as a participant in the abolitionist movement and the Union Army during the Civil War.

Multiple Choice

What impact did Sojourner Truth have on the Abolitionist and Women's Rights movements in the United States?

• Truth was an influential speaker in both the abolitionist movement and the Women's Rights Movement.

• Truth focused only on ending slavery and did not support women's rights.

• Truth was one of the first Black political leaders.

Intersectionality is the idea that a person can experience discrimination or unfair treatment in more than one way at the same time.

For example, a person can face oppression based on their race and gender. One example of this intersectionality is the experiences of Black American women.

They faced discrimination and oppression because of the color of their skin and because of their gender.

In her speeches, Sojourner Truth highlighted these overlapping experiences.

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​What Is Intersectionality?

*emotional appeals based on personal *hardships
personal anecdotes

Sojourner Truth

*legal reasoning and references to the Constitution

*logical argumentation using U.S. laws and principles

Susan B. Anthony

*rhetorical questions to challenge societal norms

*repetition of key ideas or phrases for emphasis

BOTH

Multiple Choice

What is the best way to revise this sentence to use a parallel structure?

Women fought for the right to vote in elections, having an active role in government, and to change unequal laws.

• 
  Women fought for the right to vote in elections, having an active role in government, and changing unequal laws.

• 
  Women fought for the right to vote in elections, to participate actively in government, and to change unequal laws.

• 
  Women fought for the right to vote in elections, a government role, and unequal laws.

Multiple Choice

What role does intersectionality play in Sojourner Truth’s speech “Ain’t I a Woman?”

• It suggests that all women have something in common because they face gender-based discrimination.

• It highlights how Black women experience discrimination because of their race and gender.

• It emphasizes that gender inequality is more important than racial inequality.

Open Ended

How do the word choices and rhetorical strategies that Sojourner Truth uses in "Ain't I a Woman?" differ from those that Susan B. Anthony uses in "Is It a Crime to Vote?"

Use your findings in the graphic organizer to support your answer, including at least one example from each speech.

You can start your response with:

• In her speech, Sojourner Truth uses to. . .

• However, in her speech, Susan B. Anthony to . . .

• Respond in 2 complete sentences.