RHETORIC LESSON: LET SOUTH AFRICA SHOW THE WORLD HOW TO FORGIVE

1. How does Tutu use rhetorical appeal when he emphasizes the unexpected outcome of South Africa’s transition to a democracy?

• He appeals to our sense of admiration for the resilience and courage of the South African people.

• He uses charged language for emotional impact to emphasize the sharp contrast between the initial predictions of catastrophe with the eventual peaceful transition.

• He uses a compare and contrast structure to appeal to our logic.

• He brings credibility to his point by talking about Nelson Mandela’s leadership through the transition.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

 How does Tutu use rhetorical appeal in paragraph 6 to further the purpose of the speech?

• 1. He generates anger by discussing Mandela’s imprisonment for 27 years to emphasize the brutality of Apartheid.

• He uses charged language to describe Mandela’s leadership to create awe and respect

• He makes a logical connection between working for reconciliation and Mandela inviting his jailer to his presidential inauguration.

• 1. He adds credibility to his argument by using Mandela’s story of forgiveness.

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

 How does Tutu’s use of the technique of including anecdotes of “less well-known people” strengthen his main claim and purpose?

• It furthers his point that forgiveness is possible: if they can forgive, we can forgive.

• 1. It creates sympathy for the terrible situations they’ve had to live.

• 1. It provides evidence that people have suffered a great deal during Apartheid.

• 1. It supports the idea that forgiveness is the best way to move forward.

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Why does Tutu include examples from other countries that have also transitioned from situations of national conflict?

• He appeals to our sympathy for the difficulty South Africa had in prosecuting the people responsible for Apartheid.

• He logically explains where South Africa fits in a pattern of various reconciliation efforts to handle a post-conflict situation.

• He emphasizes the morality of forgiveness and reconciliation over other forms of justice.

• He adds credibility to South Africa’s approach to justice by comparing themselves to other countries who have had major efforts in post-conflict settings.

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CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

How does Tutu change his use of language in paragraphs 14-16 to impact meaning?

• 1. He moves from formal to colloquial language to make sure people of all levels of education understand that forgiveness is the best way to move forward.

• 1. He moves from basic language to emphasize human suffering to more elevated language to emphasize the end of human suffering.

• He uses basic language to emphasize lower-level human actions and more elevated language to emphasize moral human actions.

• 1. He uses colloquial language to connect better with the audience and formal language to sound more educated.

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

 How does Tutu use tone in paragraphs 17 and 18 to further his purpose?

• 1. He uses words like “unlikely,” “nightmare,” and “ghastliness” to create a tone of contempt toward Apartheid.

• He uses words like “God,” “virtuous,” and “model” to create a tone of morality to show that forgiveness is the right thing to do.

• He uses a rhetorical question to create a tone of sarcasm to show how unlikely it was for South Africa to forgive their oppressors.

• He uses South Africa’s example to create a hopeful tone to show that forgiveness is possible and a good way to resolve conflict

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3