Carrie Chapman Catt, in her Address to Congress on Women’s Suffrage, effectively claims that a woman’s right to vote is not only necessary, but also inevitable. Her goal is to convince United States Senators and House of Representatives of the idea that women are not inferior to men. Her approach is planned in its attempt to persuade the minds of not only men, but also women to think differently. The speech itself was based on logic and reasoning, therefore making it impossible for her opposition to challenge. Catt urges Americans to support women’s rights by effectively utilizing logic to establish a sense of trust and unity within her audience. Carrie Chapman Catt’s use of rhetorical question generates a feeling of certainty amongst her
…show more content…
She begins her speech giving a brief history to support the facts in her argument: “First, the history of our country”(1). “Second, the suffrage for women already established in the United States makes women suffrage for the nation inevitable” (2). ”Third, the leadership of the United States in world democracy compels the enfranchisement of its own women” (2). By opening her speech with hard facts, she sets the foundation for her reasoning. Men especially are drawn to listen because rarely do women at this time attempt to take a stand for something so prominent. If Catt did not even have knowledge to support her claim, it would almost be hypocritical of her to profess that women are qualified to vote. She is setting an example for women, proving that they can be equally as educated as men. Not only does this build up Catt’s argument, but also her audience’s sense of trust and willingness to consider her point of view. This demonstrates Catt’s strategic use of style and organization to create a rhetorical …show more content…
“Do you realize that..?..Do you realize that..?..Do you realize that..?..Do you realize that...?” (3). Catt’s use of parallel structure creates a rhythmic scheme and emphasizes one of the main points presented in her argument. The conviction in her tone gives an impression of superiority to her opposition because she is the one questioning their lack of awareness. It is obvious she already has knowledge of the delay in her enfranchisement, but this only underlines the fact that her opposition does not. This has a powerful effect because no man at this time would ever want to feel less educated than a women. At this point, the men listening have no choice but to give into women’s suffrage, unless they want to risk looking completely ignorant. If Catt had made this statement plainly, it would not have drawn the attention of her audience as effectively. The point she is presenting is made convincing just by the way it appeals to the
She begins her speech giving a brief history to support the facts in her argument: “First, the history of our country”(1). “Second, the suffrage for women already established in the United States makes women suffrage for the nation inevitable” (2). ”Third, the leadership of the United States in world democracy compels the enfranchisement of its own women” (2). By opening her speech with hard facts, she sets the foundation for her reasoning. Men especially are drawn to listen because rarely do women at this time attempt to take a stand for something so prominent. If Catt did not even have knowledge to support her claim, it would almost be hypocritical of her to profess that women are qualified to vote. She is setting an example for women, proving that they can be equally as educated as men. Not only does this build up Catt’s argument, but also her audience’s sense of trust and willingness to consider her point of view. This demonstrates Catt’s strategic use of style and organization to create a rhetorical …show more content…
“Do you realize that..?..Do you realize that..?..Do you realize that..?..Do you realize that...?” (3). Catt’s use of parallel structure creates a rhythmic scheme and emphasizes one of the main points presented in her argument. The conviction in her tone gives an impression of superiority to her opposition because she is the one questioning their lack of awareness. It is obvious she already has knowledge of the delay in her enfranchisement, but this only underlines the fact that her opposition does not. This has a powerful effect because no man at this time would ever want to feel less educated than a women. At this point, the men listening have no choice but to give into women’s suffrage, unless they want to risk looking completely ignorant. If Catt had made this statement plainly, it would not have drawn the attention of her audience as effectively. The point she is presenting is made convincing just by the way it appeals to the