by William Wilberforce
The number of deaths speaks for itself, and makes all such enquiry superfluous. As soon as ever I had arrived thus far in my investigation of the slave trade, I confess to you sir, so enormous so dreadful, so irremediable did its wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for the abolition.
William Wilberforce's 1789 Abolition Speech
Question
Use the speech excerpt to answer the question.
How does the word choice in this paragraph impact readers?
(1 point)
Responses
It appeals to their emotions.
It appeals to their emotions.
It gives them something to consider logically.
It gives them something to consider logically.
It uses a fallacious statement to persuade them.
It uses a fallacious statement to persuade them.
It engages their sense of ethics.
It engages their sense of ethics.
1 answer
The best response is:
It appeals to their emotions.
Wilberforce's language conveys profound horror and despair regarding the slave trade, aiming to evoke strong emotional reactions from the audience. This emotional appeal is intended to galvanize support for the abolition movement.
