1. Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

2. About the Author: Olaudah Equiano
Son of tribal elder in Benin
Kidnapped at age 11 and sold into slavery with his sister
Amassed enough money to buy his own freedom then devoted himself to the abolition of slavery
Wrote, lectured and rallied against the cruelty of slavery
(p. 42)

3. Slave Narrative An autobiographical account of life as a slave
Often written to expose the horrors of human bondage
Documents slave’s experiences from his or her own point of view
EX: “The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable” (Equiano 45)
What about this statement makes it powerful?

4. Emotional Appeals
Created with words like “groans” and “shrieks” and details that trigger feelings of sympathy or outrage
This narrative uses emotional appeals to strengthen its impact
EX: The girl asked her friend to give her back her lunch, but her friend said no.
Rewrite the above statement using words with emotional appeal.

5. Activity
Complete the Equiano webquest