Sojourner Truth Formative Assessment
Context: Women’s rights was an unpopular issue in 1851, when Sojourner Truth attended the
convention held in Akron, Ohio. She addressed arguments of male superiority raised at the convention
with her impromptu speech “Ain’t I a Woman?”
Part 1: Answer the following questions
1) Construct Sojourner Truth’s Thesis as a TPR statement.
2) How does Sojourner Truth’s personal ethos support or undermine her purpose?
3) Identify the intended audience for her speech and list evidence to support your conclusion.
Part 2: Read each of the quotes from her speech, and answer the following.
1) What is the concern/idea she is responding to? 2.) What is Sojourner Truth’s claim? 3) What
is the main appeal she employs? Underline the section of the passage that provides evidence
for your interpretation.
“That man over there says women need to be
helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and
to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever
helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or
gives me any best place. And ain’t I a woman?
Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and
planted, and gathered into barns, and no man
could head me! And ain’t I a woman?”
1)
2)
3.)
“Then they talk about this thing in the head;
what’s this they call it?[Intellect, someone
whispers.] That’s it, honey. What’s that got to do
with women’s rights and negro’s rights? If my cup
won’t hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart,
wouldn’t you be mean not let me have my little
half measure full?”
1)
2)
3.)
“Then that little man in black there, he says
women can’t have as much rights as men, ‘cause
Christ wasn’t a woman! Where did your Christ
come from? Where did your Christ come from?
From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do
with Him.”
1)
2)
3.)
Part 3: Short Paragraph Response on Evaluation
Is Sojourner Truth effective in conveying her message?
 Write a TPR topic sentence that answers this prompt.
 Clearly state the purpose of her speech.
 Discuss her use of appeals and how they are effective or ineffective in conveying her message.
 Provide evidence and analysis to support your interpretation.