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"The English Bill of Rights"

An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown
"Wilberforce 1789 Abolition Speech"
by William Wilberforce

What strategies do both documents use to persuade their audience?

Both documents list a series of wrongs committed by members of the government.

Both documents use personal pronouns to convey opinions.

Both documents appeal to the audience’s emotions.

Both documents outline why things are not currently working and give direction on how to make positive change.

1 answer

Both the English Bill of Rights and William Wilberforce's abolition speech utilize several persuasive strategies to engage their audiences effectively. Here's how they align with your points:

  1. Listing Wrongs:

    • English Bill of Rights: This document enumerates grievances against King James II and the abuses of power by the monarchy, framing these wrongs as justification for the need for a new framework of governance.
    • Wilberforce's Abolition Speech: Wilberforce highlights the moral and ethical wrongs of the slave trade, detailing the inhumanity and suffering inflicted on enslaved people to rally support for abolition.

  2. Use of Personal Pronouns:

    • English Bill of Rights: By employing pronouns such as "we" and "our," the Bill creates a sense of collective identity among the subjects, emphasizing their rights and shared grievances.
    • Wilberforce's Abolition Speech: Wilberforce often uses "we" to foster a connection with his audience, making the issue of slavery a collective moral responsibility.

  3. Appeal to Emotions:

    • English Bill of Rights: While more formal in tone, it appeals to the audience's sense of justice and the need for protection against tyranny, invoking a desire for rights and freedoms.
    • Wilberforce's Abolition Speech: Wilberforce strongly appeals to the emotions of his audience by vividly describing the suffering of enslaved people, urging listeners to empathize and take action against injustice.

  4. Outlining Problems and Solutions:

    • English Bill of Rights: It not only identifies the problems of absolute monarchy but also lays out the constitutional changes needed to prevent such abuses, thus promoting a positive change in governance.
    • Wilberforce's Abolition Speech: Wilberforce articulates the moral failures of slavery while advocating specific legislative actions to abolish the slave trade, providing a clear path forward.

Overall, both documents effectively wield these strategies to persuade their audiences by framing their arguments in ways that resonate emotionally, construct a shared identity, and advocate for change grounded in clearly identified injustices.