Question

The following sentence is from an address that Susan B. Anthony gave in June 1873 prior to her trial for voting illegally in the November 1872 election. Read the sentence and then answer the question.

Friends and Fellow-citizens: I stand before you tonight, under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last Presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote.

While reading Susan B. Anthony's address, Maria realizes that she does not understand the meaning of the sentence above. What strategy to restore comprehension might Maria use?

1 answer

To restore comprehension, Maria could employ the following strategies:

1. Reread the sentence and break it down into smaller parts: Maria can read the sentence again, taking it one phrase or clause at a time. By breaking it down, she can focus on each component and its meaning.

2. Identify and look up unfamiliar words: If Maria encounters any unfamiliar words in the sentence, she can use a dictionary or an online resource to determine their definitions. This will help her understand the sentence as a whole.

3. Contextualize the sentence: Maria can consider the context surrounding the sentence, such as the purpose of Susan B. Anthony's address and the historical background of women's suffrage. This will provide clues that aid in comprehension.

4. Discuss with others: Maria can engage in a discussion with someone knowledgeable about the topic or sentence to gain further insights and clarification. Sharing her confusion with others may provide different perspectives and explanations.

5. Refer to additional sources: If Maria still struggles to understand the sentence, she can seek additional information from books, articles, or reliable online sources that delve into the topic. This external information can help provide a deeper understanding of the sentence and its significance.