TOW #3: Advice to a Black Schoolgirl by W.E.B Du Bois

           William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (more commonly known as W.E.B. Du Bois) was an American historian, sociologist, civil rights activist, author and editor. Due to his education at Fisk University and Harvard (where he was the first African American to earn his doctorate), as well as his extensive work for civil equality, Du Bois is still considered by many to be the most influential black intellectual of the first half of the twentieth century. This great influence allowed Du Bois to inspire many young Americans -- particularly those of African lineage -- and what ultimately compelled him to write this letter to a young black student who, despite being exceptionally gifted, refused to study because she felt she would "never have a chance to use her knowledge". Given this reason, the immediate audience for the letter appears to be, simply, the black schoolgirl to whom it is addressed. However, because there is a lack of specificity to the student's particular situation and rather, general advice to all black youth, it can be seen that this is the true audience for the letter. This audience then lends itself to what the overall purpose of the letter is; a way to inspire all black posterity to aspire for greater things through a proper education.
           In W.E.B. Du Bois' letter to a black schoolgirl, his utilization of various rhetorical devices such as hypophora, allusions, and a strong appeal to logos, allows him to successfully achieve his purpose through an in depth analysis of the effects of education on black youth. Through his opening questions, Du Bois is able to outline the meaning of each paragraph in the letter, addressing how each individual part contributes to the idea of advancement of the black community. His use of differing allusions then go on to prove these points, referencing successful black Americans, most notably the likes of Booker T. Washington. Finally, his strong appeal to logos, seen through his data concerning "colored" Americans, appeals to the logic that success is only achieved through proper education. The use of these rhetorical devices are ultimately what serve to achieve his purpose.