1 24 March 2021 A Rhetorical Analysis of Kurt Vonnegut Letter “I Am Very Real” to Charles McCarthy On November 7th of 1973, Kurt Vonnegut‘s novel, “Slaughterhouse-Five” was banned from Drake High School for “obscene language”. As a result the author of the book, Kurt Vonnegut, sent a letter to the head of the school board. In his letter he uses the three major components of classical argumentation to persuade the head of the school board to make right what he has done. Kurt Vonnegut first uses an ethical appeal as he talks about his character. He notes that the school board probably believes that he is simply a manipulative person who wants to make money. He attempts to correct this view of himself by talking about his personal life and achievements. He first explains that throughout this event he has refused to go on TV, spread information and has kept this letter private. If he had not done these things it would appear as though he simply wanted to create drama. Since he did not do these things it shows that he is being professional and trying to correct what he believes is wrong. He also informs the head of the school board of his personal life. He talks about his 6 children, where he lives, his purple heart, and accomplishments as a professor. He says “My books are probably more widely used in schools than those of any other living American fiction writer”. All of this shows that he is a respectable person. This gives credibility to his books and the content. Logical appeal is prominent in Kurt Vonnegut's letter in two ways. First, he explains that the book's intent is to promote people to be kinder and more responsible. 2 The intent and the overall message of the book is not to harm people. Second, he explains the reasoning for some characters using course language and explains that it is no reason for his book to be banned. Some of his characters use course language because that is the way it is in life. His book does its best to portray realistic characters. He also explains that all children are going to hear language as they grow up and that isn't necessarily what causes hurt or causes them to do wrong things. This shows the logic behind the stance that the book shouldn't be banned. Kurt Vonnegut finally uses an emotional appeal in his letter. The people at this time were angry with the school for burning the book. The author explains to the school that it is wrong for them to be regulating the books their students can read. The public was angry at the school because they felt as though the school was being foolish and uncivilized. He said that even your own children have a right to call you bad citizens and fools. This emotional appeal has the intention of making the school board feel bad about what they have done. I feel as though the ethical and logical appeal were used well but that the author should have tried to emphasize the logical appeal more. The author chooses to emphasize the emotional appeal in his title and conclusion by saying “you have insulted me, and I am a good citizen, and I am very real”. This argument was not an impactful one when it comes to convincing someone that a book is good for use in a school. It also comes off as less than professional. Just because you are a real person and have had your feelings hurt, that doesn't mean that your book is good for educating children. I believe as though the author should have strengthened his logical appeal and should 3 have gone deeper as to why his book is a good one despite the language. I believe that the theme of “I am very real” was the downfall of this letter. Work Cited “I Am Very Real.” Letters of Note, 25 Jan. 2021, lettersofnote.com/2012/03/30/i-am-very-real/.