A Few Uses of Interesting Rhetoric in Hamilton

This week in English 1302, We peer graded other students’ cover letters and resumes. I learned this week that you should not have a separate section for skills on your resume, and that sometimes, you don’t always get the job you desire (or the grade… haha). We discussed act 2 of the play Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda and had a class discussion over the discussion questions we created. Our main topic was whether or not Maria Reynolds had feelings of love for Alexander Hamilton, or if it was just an act. We concluded that although it seemed like façade because of the circumstances, Maria actually did have feelings for Alexander.

We also analyzed a piece of text from the musical Hamilton in order to write a rhetorical analysis essay this week. For my essay, I decided to analyze the song “My Shot” by Lin-Manuel Miranda. In the song, the repetition of the line “I am not throwing away my shot!” persuades the reader that Alexander Hamilton is hardworking and determined. It uses pathos to make Alexander Hamilton seem like the “good guy” so that the reader will side more with Hamilton’s beliefs and views.

This week I experienced rhetoric in my life when my sister asked me if she could use my nintendo switch to play “Just Dance” with her friend. Being the wonderful sister I am, I agreed and she played with her friend for about an hour. When she returned my switch, the controllers were sticky and the screen had fingerprints all over it. I then decided to use my own persuasive skills to have my mom tell my sister to clean my switch and take better care of it next time I allow her to use it.

The photo above is of baby yoda using his rhetoric to persuade the US Treasury to replace the picture of Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill, with one of his own. (enjoy 😉 )

Hamilton. “My Shot.” Hamilton, Lin- Manuel Miranda.

“Pin by Tianna Stolp on Baby Yoda: Star Wars Humor, Funny Memes, Yoda Meme.” Pinterest, www.pinterest.com/pin/109141990957736157/.