Fragment on Slavery, 1854/ from What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

Fragment on Slavery, 1854/from What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

Introducing the SelectionsInformational Text Focus: Structural Patterns of Text—Proposition and SupportWriting Skills Focus

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Introducing the Selections

What can mistakes of the past teach us today?



For more than 200 years, slavery was legal in the United States.

Many people believed it was acceptable to own another human being . . .but others disagreed.



From two very different perspectives—those of a white politician and of a former slave—these selections raise moral and legal questions about slavery.

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Informational Text Focus: Proposition and SupportOften, a writer’s job is to persuade you to do things.

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Informational Text Focus: Proposition and Support

What a writer is trying to convince you of is called the proposition. The evidence he or she uses is called the support.

PROPOSITION

PROPOSITIONsupport support support support



proposition:You should eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

support:Fruits and vegetables contain many nutrients that are important for your health.



You are about to read selections that use the structural pattern of proposition and support.

In “Fragment on Slavery, 1854,” Lincoln uses the proslavery argument of his time to argue against slavery. How effective is this argument?



Into Action: To critique each of the selections, make and complete a chart like the one on the following slide. A chart for “Fragment on Slavery, 1854” has been started for you.



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What is the author’s proposition?

“Fragment on Slavery, 1854”

He asks whether the argument for slavery can be used against slavery.How does the author support the proposition?He systematically refutes reasons for slavery.How well is the argument developed?

What structural patterns does the author use?Proposition and support

My Critique:


Writing Skills Focus

Preparing for Timed Writing

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As you read, locate and record at least three ways each author focuses and clarifies the argument.

Vocabulary

perpetuate v.: cause to continue.

hypocrisy n.: false show of virtue or goodness.

denounce v.: speak against.


Vocabulary

Fragment on Slavery, 1854

conceded v.: admitted; acknowledged.

despicable adj.: hateful; detested.


Vocabulary

Apologies for Past Actions Are Still Appropriate Today


Vocabulary

. . . I will, in the name of humanity, which is outraged, in the name of liberty, which is fettered, and the name of the Constitution and the Bible, which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command . . .

The sentence below may help you understand how the word denounce is used in “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”

When you denounce something, you speak against it.


VocabularyMr. Ortega denounced the cost of roses on Valentine’s Day. Because they were so expensive, he felt he had to

a. speak against buying them.b. buy two dozen.c. compliment the florist on her

display.


VocabularyMr. Ortega denounced the cost of roses on Valentine’s Day. Because they were so expensive, he felt he had to

a. speak against buying them.b. buy two dozen.c. compliment the florist on

her display. Describe an unfair situation you think should be denounced.


Vocabulary

If we perpetuate something, we cause it to continue.

The sentence below may help you understand how the word perpetuate is used in “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”

. . . I will . . . dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery—the great sin and shame of America!


Vocabulary

School officials hope to perpetuate the Mozart Scholarship, which provides free music lessons to talented students.

The officials want the scholarshipa. to last for one more year.b. to end.c. to keep going for a long time.


Vocabulary

The officials want the scholarshipa. to last for one more year.b. to end.c. to keep going for a long time.

How can you perpetuate a positive action?

School officials hope to perpetuate the Mozart Scholarship, which provides free music lessons to talented students.


Vocabulary

If a point is conceded, it is admitted to be true.

The sentence below may help you understand how the word conceded is used in “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”

Must I undertake to prove that the slave is a man? That point is conceded already. Nobody doubts it. The slave-holders themselves acknowledge it in the enactment of laws for their government.


Vocabulary

When the politician saw the official results of the election, he conceded to his opponent.

a. He acknowledged that his opponent was the winner.

b. He promised to fight his opponent again.

c. He demanded a recount of the ballots.


Vocabulary

When the politician saw the official results of the election, he conceded to his opponent.

a. He acknowledged that his opponent was the winner.

b. He promised to fight his opponent again.

c. He demanded a recount of the ballots.

Name a time you have had to concede something.


Vocabulary

Hypocrisy is a false show of virtue.

The sentence below may help you understand how the word hypocrisy is used in “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”

The feeling of the nation must be quickened: the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be denounced. . . .


Vocabulary

Nurse Ann acted with hypocrisy toward her patients.Which statement best describes her behavior?

a. She talked too much when patients were trying to sleep.

b. She was nice when the doctor was there, but mean otherwise.

c. She gave patients candy.


Vocabulary

Nurse Ann acted with hypocrisy toward her patients.Which statement best describes her behavior?

a. She talked too much when patients were trying to sleep.

b.She was nice when the doctor was there, but mean otherwise.

c. She gave patients candy.Name an act of hypocrisy from history.


Vocabulary

Despicable behavior is not just bad; it is detestable.

The sentences below may help you understand how the word despicable is used in “Apologies for Past Actions Are Still Appropriate Today.”

Online bullying is a despicable practice. This hateful behavior includes sending abusive emails to a person and posting cruel anonymous comments in public forums.


Vocabulary

Kevin is famous for his pranks. The whole family considered it despicable when he

a. left a plastic flower on his mother’s windshield.

b. filled the sugar bowl with salt just before breakfast.

c. talked to his little sister about her crush on a classmate.

The End

Fragment on Slavery, 1854/ from What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

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Transcript of Fragment on Slavery, 1854/ from What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?