ENG2602
Assignment 2
SOCIAL PERSUASION & FICTION
DUE 1 July 2025
,ENG2602
Assignment 2: Exceptional Answers
DUE 1 July 2025
SOCIAL PERSUASION & FICTION
QUESTION 1: SOCIAL PERSUASION
Introduction
The article “One step forward two steps backward… LGBTQI Rights in Africa” (Sonke
Gender Justice, 02 August 2023) examines legal contradictions in African states
regarding same-sex unions and criminalisation. Its audience is African citizens and
policymakers who shape or hold opinions on LGBTQI rights. Its purpose is to reveal
these legal inconsistencies and prompt support for uniform legal recognition of LGBTQI
relationships.
Critical Analysis of Persuasive Strategies
1. Appeal to Logic (Logos)
The use of statistics ("more than 30 African countries") is not just about quantification;
it's about establishing a "problem space" that demands attention. In rhetorical theory,
presenting data can create a sense of objective truth or irrefutable fact, which is
powerful in swaying audiences who might be skeptical or rely on anecdotal evidence.
The article's ability to frame these prohibitions as "systemic patterns" rather than
"isolated incidents" leverages a fundamental principle of argumentation: generalization.
, By demonstrating that criminalization is widespread, the piece implicitly argues against
the idea that individual countries are simply "choosing" their path, suggesting instead a
pervasive issue requiring broad intervention.
Furthermore, the original article, as found in the search results, explicitly states,
"According to ILGA's database, same sex relationships are considered legal in 22
African countries. Out of these 22 only 12 have never adopted laws criminalizing same-
sex relationships." This specific data point adds another layer to the logos: it
demonstrates that progress is possible and that a significant number of African
countries do not criminalize same-sex relations, challenging the monolithic "African"
narrative often used to justify anti-LGBTQI laws. This nuanced statistical presentation
strengthens the logical appeal by showing both the extent of the problem and existing
exceptions.
2. Appeal to History and Authority
This is arguably the most potent rhetorical strategy in the African context. The claim that
"Much of Africa’s anti-same-sex legislation originated during colonial rule" directly taps
into a deeply ingrained postcolonial consciousness. The research confirms this,
noting that "most anti-homosexual legislation in Africa was put in place by Puritan
colonial regimes" and that pre-colonial Africa entertained diverse expressions of non-
heterosexuality (Freedom Socialist Party; Haskins, S.).
This appeal moves beyond mere historical fact; it's a strategic re-framing of the issue.
By linking anti-LGBTQI laws to colonialism, the argument repositions the fight for
LGBTQI rights as an act of decolonization and cultural reclamation, rather than an
imposition of "Western values." This is crucial because accusations of "Western
imposition" are often used to discredit LGBTQI advocacy in Africa. Ngugi wa Thiong'o's
Decolonising the Mind provides the theoretical backbone for understanding how
linguistic and cultural imposition served colonial aims, and by extension, how rejecting
such impositions becomes an act of liberation. The persuasive power here lies in
aligning LGBTQI rights with a widely accepted and emotionally charged narrative of
Assignment 2
SOCIAL PERSUASION & FICTION
DUE 1 July 2025
,ENG2602
Assignment 2: Exceptional Answers
DUE 1 July 2025
SOCIAL PERSUASION & FICTION
QUESTION 1: SOCIAL PERSUASION
Introduction
The article “One step forward two steps backward… LGBTQI Rights in Africa” (Sonke
Gender Justice, 02 August 2023) examines legal contradictions in African states
regarding same-sex unions and criminalisation. Its audience is African citizens and
policymakers who shape or hold opinions on LGBTQI rights. Its purpose is to reveal
these legal inconsistencies and prompt support for uniform legal recognition of LGBTQI
relationships.
Critical Analysis of Persuasive Strategies
1. Appeal to Logic (Logos)
The use of statistics ("more than 30 African countries") is not just about quantification;
it's about establishing a "problem space" that demands attention. In rhetorical theory,
presenting data can create a sense of objective truth or irrefutable fact, which is
powerful in swaying audiences who might be skeptical or rely on anecdotal evidence.
The article's ability to frame these prohibitions as "systemic patterns" rather than
"isolated incidents" leverages a fundamental principle of argumentation: generalization.
, By demonstrating that criminalization is widespread, the piece implicitly argues against
the idea that individual countries are simply "choosing" their path, suggesting instead a
pervasive issue requiring broad intervention.
Furthermore, the original article, as found in the search results, explicitly states,
"According to ILGA's database, same sex relationships are considered legal in 22
African countries. Out of these 22 only 12 have never adopted laws criminalizing same-
sex relationships." This specific data point adds another layer to the logos: it
demonstrates that progress is possible and that a significant number of African
countries do not criminalize same-sex relations, challenging the monolithic "African"
narrative often used to justify anti-LGBTQI laws. This nuanced statistical presentation
strengthens the logical appeal by showing both the extent of the problem and existing
exceptions.
2. Appeal to History and Authority
This is arguably the most potent rhetorical strategy in the African context. The claim that
"Much of Africa’s anti-same-sex legislation originated during colonial rule" directly taps
into a deeply ingrained postcolonial consciousness. The research confirms this,
noting that "most anti-homosexual legislation in Africa was put in place by Puritan
colonial regimes" and that pre-colonial Africa entertained diverse expressions of non-
heterosexuality (Freedom Socialist Party; Haskins, S.).
This appeal moves beyond mere historical fact; it's a strategic re-framing of the issue.
By linking anti-LGBTQI laws to colonialism, the argument repositions the fight for
LGBTQI rights as an act of decolonization and cultural reclamation, rather than an
imposition of "Western values." This is crucial because accusations of "Western
imposition" are often used to discredit LGBTQI advocacy in Africa. Ngugi wa Thiong'o's
Decolonising the Mind provides the theoretical backbone for understanding how
linguistic and cultural imposition served colonial aims, and by extension, how rejecting
such impositions becomes an act of liberation. The persuasive power here lies in
aligning LGBTQI rights with a widely accepted and emotionally charged narrative of
