Question

Read the passage from A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.

Consequently the perfection of our nature and capability of happiness, must be estimated by the degree of reason, virtue, and knowledge, that distinguish the individual, and direct the laws which bind society: and that from the exercise of reason, knowledge and virtue naturally flow, is equally undeniable, if mankind be viewed collectively.

Which is the best description of the author’s diction in the passage?

The author sticks to words with neutral connotations and does not make a point.
The author repeats words with positive connotations to help emphasize her point.
The author relies on words with negative connotations to show why other points are wrong.
The author contrasts words with positive and negative connotations to show both sides of a point.

Answer 1

The author repeats words with positive connotations to help emphasize her point.

She uses and repeats terms like "perfection," "happiness," "reason," "virtue," and "knowledge," all positively charged, to stress their importance.