When | Why |
---|---|
Jan-16-25 | Wording change |
The courts and college are similar in that historically (and arguably still) aren’t known for their diversity.
However, both have made attempts to promote/accept a sample that better represents our population as a whole.
In the justice system we see this through Ketanji-Brown, RBG, Clarence Thomas, and of course Sonya Sotomayor.
Many colleges adopted affirmative action to try and diversify their student body.
Sonya Sotamayor, having been in both institutions, uses a mix of spanish and english, show vs. tell, and an ethos appeal, to show her Latina background.
She uses this as to advocate for diversity which is in turn an appeal for Affirmative Action.
In this speech, Sototmayor is speaking to a couple thousand college students. To appeal to her ethos, she shows that she too was once a college student by slipping in phrases like, “learned about tacos in college” and “undergraduate history major,” and a cheek, “you can tell I’ve been well educated.” By showing them that she was once in their shoes, they are more likely going to take her experiences and lessons in because now the students have a similarity and connection with her. Rather than being on a faraway pedestal of appeals-court judge, she is a relatable college student.
While in the end, Sonya makes an appeal for diversity and affirmative action, she barely talks directly about it. Instead, she uses her experiences to convey this message. After all, an ethnicity is not created by “political struggles.” She is a Latina “by the way I [she] loves[s] and the way I [she] live[s] her life.” So, instead of creating an argument listing reasons the way she does in politics, she shows us. For example, reminiscing, “watching the adults playing dominoes on a saturday night and us kids playing loteria…” This shows us the context of her life an helps use to relate to her childhood and culture, in turn promoting diversity.
While in the end, Sonya makes an appeal for diversity and affirmative action, she barely talks directly about it.
Instead, she uses her experiences to convey this message.
After all, an ethnicity is not created by “political struggles.”
She is a Latina “by the way I [she] loves[s] and the way I [she] live[s] her life.”
So, instead of creating an argument listing reasons the way she does in politics, she shows us.
For example, reminiscing, “watching the adults playing dominoes on a saturday night and us kids playing loteria…” This shows us the context of her life an helps use to relate to her childhood and culture, in turn promoting diversity.
She also uses a mix of Spanish and English to highlight the American and “Puertorriqueña” side of her.
By following “platos de arroz, gandules y pernil” with a translation of “rice, beans, and pork,” we see that she can be both ethnicities and once and that it is a big part of her identity.
This shows us that while she is Puertorriquen, she is also American and her non-American culture adds to her American one.
It is not a hinderance but rather an elevation and addition to the American culture.
This affirms the idea or rather the tale in which she is spinning which shows us that her ethnic backgorund is a big part of her identity, and we should include all of those identities through Affirmative Action.
Your thesis effectively introduces the rhetorical choices that Sonia Sotomayor makes in her speech to convey her message about identity. You highlight her use of a mix of Spanish and English, the “show vs. tell” technique, and appeals to ethos. These are solid rhetorical strategies, but your thesis could be strengthened by clarifying how these choices specifically relate to her identity as a Latina and her broader message about diversity, particularly in the context of affirmative action.
Consider refining your thesis to explicitly connect Sotomayor’s rhetorical choices with her advocacy for diversity and affirmative action. You could say something like: “Sotomayor employs a bilingual narrative and personal anecdotes to illustrate her rich Latina identity, advocating for the acceptance of diverse backgrounds in institutions through affirmative action. Her strategic blend of language and personal history not only underscores her cultural pride but also challenges the audience to embrace a multifaceted American identity.” This revised thesis emphasizes how her Latina identity and rhetorical choices support a broader message about diversity and inclusion. Would you like to delve into how Sotomayor’s use of language enhances her ethos or explore the impact of her personal anecdotes on her audience’s perception? Or perhaps you’d like to discuss how she addresses the tension between personal identity and societal expectations? Let me know what you’d like to explore further!
You’ve made a solid start in explaining the evidence to support your line of reasoning about Sotomayor’s rhetorical choices. Your essay highlights how Sotomayor uses her personal experiences and anecdotes to create an emotional connection with her audience. For instance, you noted how she reminisces about playing dominoes, which effectively illustrates her cultural background and makes her relatable. This approach aligns with her message about embracing diverse identities, suggesting that her experiences as a Latina are integral to understanding her identity. However, to strengthen your argument, consider delving deeper into how these personal stories not only connect emotionally but also serve to legitimize her stance on diversity and affirmative action.
Would you like to explore how the mix of Spanish and English enhances her rhetorical strategy, how her anecdotes serve a larger purpose, or maybe how her ethos appeals strengthen her argument? Feel free to choose one or more, or suggest another angle to discuss. Let’s elevate this essay to the next level!
Your essay demonstrates a solid understanding of the rhetorical situation in Sonia Sotomayor’s speech by acknowledging her dual identity as both an American and a “Puertorriqueña.” You adeptly highlight how she uses personal anecdotes, such as her college experiences and cultural memories, to forge a relatable connection with her audience of college students. Your analysis of her use of ethos—by aligning her past experiences with those of her listeners—effectively showcases how she bridges the gap between her prestigious position and the audience. This connection helps convey her broader message of diversity and the importance of affirmative action. You also note her strategic code-switching between English and Spanish, which illustrates her multifaceted identity.
Would you like to delve deeper into how her anecdotes serve a broader rhetorical purpose, explore her use of language, or analyze another rhetorical strategy she employs? Revise or edit your writing right now. If this is your document, click on a sentence or a paragraph number in the left panel, then hit Edit, make your changes and hit Update. You can also hit Suggest Revision on a document that you have been invited to. Another option is to hit Add to Document, and then you can add New Content for deeper, multi-paragraph rewrites.
Please Note: Everything in this comment is AI-generated. It is made up to sound like your helpful AP English Language teacher in room 126.
To delve deeper into Sotomayor’s use of personal anecdotes, consider how they illustrate the richness of her cultural identity, thus legitimizing her stance on diversity and affirmative action. For example, when she shares memories of “watching the adults playing dominoes on a Saturday night and us kids playing loteria,” she invites her audience to experience the vibrancy of her upbringing. This anecdote doesn’t just paint a picture; it serves as evidence of a life steeped in cultural traditions that shaped her values and worldview. By highlighting these intimate family gatherings, Sotomayor emphasizes the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural diversity, which aligns with the principles of affirmative action. Her stories are not just personal; they are universal calls to recognize and value the diverse backgrounds that enrich our society.
Would you like to explore how her bilingual approach further enhances her message, discuss the implications of her educational journey, or examine the broader societal context she addresses? Choose one or more, or suggest a new direction for our conversation.
Logging in, please wait...
0 archived comments