Analytical Paragraph Outline (Mild)

DIRECTIONS: Outline a paragraph answering the following prompt:

How does the letter reveal an author’s purpose and point of view about an injustice in society?

T - Topic Sentence

What is your response to the prompt above?

What will you prove in the rest of your paragraph?

Douglas’s letter has a purpose of letting Harriet know that what she did he greatly appreciates, and it reveals the following point of view: Tubman is a hero to slaves because she risked her life just to help the slaves escape.

B - Background Info

Explain the historical situation happening when this letter was written. Then, summarize the topics he/she wrote about.

The letter was written in 1868 and the 14th amendment had just been passed and slavery had just been abolished.

In his letter, Douglass discusses his very positive opinions and thought of Harriet Tubman putting so much effort into freeing slaves.

E - Evidence #1

What is one quote where you can infer the author’s purpose and point of view about an injustice?

One example that demonstrates the purpose and point of view is “I need such words from you far more than you can need them from me, especially where your superior labors and devotion to the cause of the lately enslaved of our land are known as I know them.“

A - Analysis #1

What does the quote suggest, but not directly say about his/her point of view and purpose?

Why is this important?

The purpose is evident here because it shows his reverence for her positive actions towards slaves.

This reveals his point of view that Tubman is a hero to slaves because she risked her life just to help the slaves escape because it shows selflessness and integrity.

This is significant because Harriet could realize that what she did had a large positive impact on slaves.

E - Evidence #2

What is one quote where you can infer the author’s purpose and point of view about an injustice?

The point of view is clearly expressed again when he writes, “It is to me a great pleasure and a great privilege to bear testimony for your character and your works, and to say to those to whom you may come, that I regard you in every way truthful and trustworthy.”

A - Analysis #2

What does the quote suggest, but not directly say about his/her point of view and purpose?

Why is this important?

In this example, the author is clearly trying to show that he admires what she has done towards ending slavery.

This shows that he believes she is a hero to slaves because she put her life at risk just to help others.

This is significant because other people could discover what she did and the impact it had on slaves.

R - Restate T

Remind the reader what you are arguing or proving.

Overall, Douglas’s writing demonstrates that he greatly respects what Harriet has done and hopes that others could as well.