Using texts not widely read in DuBois writing gives him an advantage over the readers. That could be to slightly mislead the readers into thinking that these stories actually happen to him making him be seen as a human and what is going on is wrong. (adds to his credibility, show hes better educated than readers) His style was meant for a more educated audience. He references esoteric texts to show he is more knowledgeable. The texts that are referenced are to provide some emotional response by the reader. Reason/logic is not really used.

 

Writer: W. E. B. DuBois

Issue: Inequality

Reader: Academics

Gap: Explaining what it means to be black in daily life

Claim: The ignorance of white people not knowing how their actions effect black americans.

Reason: Personal experience

Evidence: Historical evidence (something similar has happened multiple times in the past). Textual evidence

Warrant: White people believe that they are intellectually superior

Counterargument: That white people are just better and science and people in power reinforce this idea.

Rebuttal: That black americans shouldn’t be able to compete in society right away (starting at a disadvantage) but it will take some time and be patient.

The rhetorical appeals seen in DuBois work would be ethos and pathos. Science and law are skewed against blacks so it would not work well for his argument. In Hoffmans essay he uses logic (data and measurements) to persuade/reinforce his ideas.

2. The science and law communities made it to where DuBois couldn’t use reason/logic to support his argument so instead he had to appeal to emotions and establish his credibility