Give me liberty or give me death!

As a nation built upon the ideals of liberty and freedom, Banneker sees the institution of slavery within America as a contradiction. Thus, though brilliant usage of rhetoric and subtle methods of persuasion, Banneker articulates to his readers his claim that slavery is wrong in an objective yet humble tone. Rather than stating a blunt, imperative statement, Banneker elusively uses manipulation in order to display the hypercritic nature of slavery. He achieves this though careful placement of literary devices throughout the letter which include antithesis and repetition. Banneker first employs repetition of American beliefs near the beginning of the text in order to force readers to ponder upon the values of liberty in America. He then immediately shifts his tone from a romantic nostalgic tone to an almost scolding tone using antithesis though powerful words that shows contradictions between slavery and American ideals. He does not, however, assert his claim in a strong and blunt statement, leaving his readers to conclude in way that is parallel to his claim. This leaves a more lasting impression on readers because he is successful in making his personal belief into a common sentiment shared between both Banneker and his readers. Perhaps a more noticeable strategy within the letter is his uses of parallelism in order justify the freeing of slaves though more logical methods rather than manipulation. In carefully selecting his use of words, Banneker is able to draw comparisons between revolutionary America and the then-current status of slavery. He employs hyperbole within the text in order to further close the gap between the two periods of history. Examples of this comparable diction are; injustice of a state and slavery groaning captivity and horrors of its condition cruel oppression. By using such comparable diction, Banneker then employs the use of syllogism to place the idea within readers that tyranny justifies freedom; slavery is tyranny, slavery, justifies freedom for colored men. In addition to creating parallelism, Banneker sets a nostalgic appeal within the text in concurrence of providing anecdotal evidence for the drawing of parallels. This is noteworthy because though the nostalgic appeal, Banneker can provide an intimate tone near the start of the text, erasing the need for further hooks within the letter. Throughout the letter, Banneker effective employs narrative view to instigate action by conveying a sense of guilt within the readers. This is significant because though the point of view, Banneker is able to convey a message that change is possible while maintain a tone that matches that of the letter. Banneker achieves in conveying the message though use of 2nd person throughout the letter, articulating to readers that the reason slavery exists is due to their tolerance of it. This sense of responsibility than invokes feelings of guilt within readers due to their realization that they are the reason for the suffering gained though slavery. The sense of guilt is then increased as Banneker elaborates to readers the extent of suffering caused by the most criminal act. Banneker also does not omit the fact that the readers are practicing hypocrisy, as he employs the statement that the same oppression seen in slavery is professedly detested in others by the readers.

In maintaining a highly readable piece of literature, Banneker is able to subtlety use manipulation and provides logical evidence to produce a letter that is both logically valid and intimate, in a tone that is both objective and reassuring.

The parallelism, however, is also subtle as the comparison within the letter