Critique Of Rhetorical Appeals In "A Call For Unity"

"A Call for Unity" by Carpenter et al. makes use of logos and ethos to create a persuasive and convincing argument. By using these persuasive rhetoric appeals, Carpenter et al. manage to presents themselves and other non-Negro citizens in a favorable light by suggesting that they have "expressed understanding" (Carpenter et al. 1) and been "responsible citizens" (2). Negro citizens, however, are presented as opposition determined to undermine the "principles of law and order and common sense" (2) through the use of public demonstrations. This essay will explore the various persuasive devices used by Carpenter et al.. to determine how important they are in creating a successful and convincing argument.

Carpenter et al. make use of numerous persuasive techniques throughout their letter including rhetorical appeals and various claims. However, it is their use of logos and ethos that contributes most to their success in creating a well-reasoned an effective persuasive argument. From the very start of the letter, Carpenter et al. present the reader with an ethos appeal by introducing themselves as "the undersigned clergymen" (1). By giving themselves the title if clergymen, Carpenter et al. increase their credibility. This increased credibility presents them as more trustworthy to a reader and ultimately increases their persuasiveness. They shortly follow this with another ethos appeal to show that they "expressed understanding" (2). By addressing their own understanding, they illustrate their willingness to respect another person's viewpoint which contributes to their overall ethos appeal. This further increases their credibility and the trust a reader places in them and adds to their overall persuasive power.

In order to present an effective persuasive argument, Carpenter et al. balance their use of ethos appeals with logical arguments (logos appeals). They state "racial matters could be properly pursued in the courts" (Carpenter et al. 1) and "decisions of those courts should in the meantime be peacefully obeyed" (1). These statements, while similar to policy claims, actually present the reader with a logical situation and appeal to the reader's sense of reason and logic. Similarly, Carpenter et al.'s overall argument is a logos appeal that reads "A cause should be pressed in the courts and in negotiations among local leaders, and not in the streets." (4) This statement appeals to the reader's sense of logic and reason and is effective because it is a logical appeal that cannot be refuted.

As you can see, from the opening of the letter, Carpenter et al. present a successful persuasive argument through the use of rhetorical appeals. They continue to use a mixture of rhetorical appeals and value/policy claims throughout the letter, which ultimately allows them to make a very successful and persuasive piece of writing. However, I feel that Carpenter et al.'s most successful appeals are those that combine or contain a mixture of both ethos and logos appeals. For example, they state "We recognize the natural impatience of people who feel that their hopes are slow in being realized. But we are convinced that these demonstrations are unwise and untimely" (2). This statement shows both an understanding and respect for other people's points of view, and although it is debatable as to whether they sincerely believed this or not, this statement contributes considerably to their ethos appeal and also presents a believable appeal (logos). The combined ethos and logical appeal increase their credibility as authors and allows them to instill trust in their readers and their writing. Therefore, the reader may be more inclined to be persuaded by their overall argument.

Following this combined ethos and logos appeal, Carpenter et al. state "All of us need to face that responsibility and find proper channels for its accomplishment" (3). This statement shows understanding