18th and 21st Amendments: Analysis

18th and 21st Amendments: Analysis

Symbols, Motifs, and Rhetorical Devices

Rhetoric

The 18th and 21st Amendments aren't an argument—they're the end of one. The argument was made, and the result was the law. As such, the Temperance Movement employed all three forms of persuasion...

Structure

Legal DocumentThe 18th and 21st Amendments are pretty obviously legal documents. How can you tell? The fact that they're part of the Constitution. That's your first clue.Both documents have the boi...

Writing Style

LegalWhat does that mean, exactly? We're glad you asked, voices in our head. "Legal English" is a technical term for the sub-dialect of the language employed in writing laws and legal decisions. It...

What's Up With the Title?

Well, there were seventeen amendments before the 18th, and twenty before the 21st. Sometimes it's as simple as that.

What's Up With the Opening Lines?

Section 1 of each Amendment is where the law is stated. This is the meat of the entire thing. What's this Amendment for? Why is it here? What's going on? Section 1 has your answers.

What's Up With the Closing Lines?

Section 3 of both Amendments is nearly identical, just reiterating how Amendments actually become law through the process of ratification by the states.

Tough-o-Meter

(5) Tree LineThese guys are nice and short, but some of the legalese is a bit difficult to parse. Take it slow, consider what each word means, and you'll be fine.

Shout-Outs

In-Text ReferencesThe ConstitutionBoth Amendments are doing their best to sound like they're supposed to be part of the Constitution. That's about it. Volstead and Wheeler were writing a Constituti...

Trivia

Al Capone made millions of dollars on illegal liquor. What finally sent him to prison, though? Income tax evasion. (Source)Prohibition made Dr. Seuss. Well, kinda. While he was at Dartmouth College...