both writers give similar advice, and both use images to emphasize their main ideas. but each writer uses a different form of writing to communicate his message: robert e. lee wrote a letter, while langston hughes wrote a poem.

compare the two forms of writing, and answer this question:

which did you find more persuasive, the letter or the poem? why?

think about these questions as you prepare your response. use specific examples from the texts.

which piece was easier for you to understand?

which piece gave stronger reasons and evidence?

which piece drew the reader's attention most toward an image?

which piece inspired you more? why?

answer:

the poem by hughes will be somewhat persuasive, but robert e lee was an army general, so he will always have more persuasion to get away from the war.

(also great profile pic i love x)

i believe that hughes' "mother to son" was more persuasive because she is explaining that times are hard, and life is not perfect. she refers to her own experiences to encourage her son. the stairs are a great metaphor-or is it simile? - and it really shows compassion that she has for her son's hard times.

"mother to son" uses the conceit, or extended metaphor, of a staircase to symbolize the hardship of the mother's life. her metaphorical "staircase" has made for difficult climbing—it has exposed tacks, splinters, gaps, and places where the carpet is completely worn down. this is contrasted with a crystal staircase in the famous line "life for me ain't been no crystal stair." a crystal staircase symbolizes an easy, affluent, sparkling life, while the rickety staircase the mother speaks of symbolize a difficult one.

no, but sometimes i do.