Since no one is really doing minutes I figured I'd start again with Benjamin Franklin's London Correspondence. Yesterday we talked about Franklin having a sense of humor in this document, mocking England's government. He also has a certain satire (which we established was for proving a point and pointing out flaws in society). Franklin established common grounds with his audience by saying he is a "modern simpleton" -- which also relates to our study of propaganda (just plain folks) and also to Anne Bradstreet's poetry because she uses humilty, although in a very different way. Franklin makes it simple to understand by using an analogy to cake.
Here are a few main points from today's discussion:
1. Capitalization for emphasis (possibly influence of his German background)
2. Audience
a. Neutrals (logic, list of reason why they should revolt and join the nationals, hints that people should watch out for these things in the future -- establishes common grounds because maybe something has happened to them before that they can relate to)
b. Enemies (begin to question their own government, demoralization)
-not so much the nationals, but they will agree; Franklin says something will happen and then it does, they will be more inclined to believe him. Does not lead them or give them direction
3. Very Neoclassic literature -- numbered, ordered list, structure
4.Emotional value depends on who is reading it ( personal connection with the experiences)
5. Does not present opposing arguement (no rebuttal in Toulmin sense)
- propaganda: cardstacking, unfinished claim. People will not question the "facts"
-Sammi
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I agree with Sammi that this piece of literature is characteristic of Neoclassicisim. It reperesents the Neoclassic values of simplicity, order, logic, and wit. The easy to understand wording due to the fact that Franklin is a "modern Simpleton" represents simplicity. The number list shows that it is orderly. The way his argument is arranged is very logical. This was perhaps to help persuade the neutral audience. Finally, the entire work is written with an element of social satire and wit.
--Alexis
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