Question

read this excerpt from marian andersons \gifts of speech.\

thousands of women are at work in arsenals on all kinds of ammunition, bullets, shells, and bombs. thousands of women are making war instruments and electrical equipment. thousands are helping to produce tanks, ...

what is andersons most likely reason for repeating the phrase \thousands of women\ in this excerpt?

to emphasize that she is talking about women in her speech
to persuade women listeners to join the work force
to offer statistics on how many women are building bombs
to convince listeners that women are very capable workers

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt

The excerpt from Marian Anderson's "Gifts of Speech" reads: "Thousands of women are at work in arsenals on all kinds of ammunition, bullets, shells, and bombs. Thousands of women are making war instruments and electrical equipment. Thousands are helping to produce tanks, ..."

Identify the rhetorical device

The author uses repetition (anaphora) by starting successive clauses with the phrase "Thousands of women" (or "Thousands"). This device is used to emphasize the scale, volume, and vital contribution of female workers during wartime.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1 ("to emphasize that she is talking about women in her speech"): Too simplistic; the audience already knows she is discussing women.
• Option 2 ("to persuade women listeners to join the work force"): The text describes women who are already working, rather than directly urging others to join.
• Option 3 ("to offer statistics on how many women are building bombs"): "Thousands" is a general descriptor, not a precise statistical figure.
• Option 4 ("to convince listeners that women are very capable workers"): By listing the complex, heavy, and dangerous industrial tasks (arsenals, ammunition, electrical equipment, tanks) performed by "thousands of women," the repetition highlights their immense capability and contribution to the war effort. This aligns with Literary Analysis of an author's rhetorical purpose.

Answer:

• to emphasize that she is talking about women in her speech
• to persuade women listeners to join the work force
• to offer statistics on how many women are building bombs
• to convince listeners that women are very capable workers (Correct answer)