Final answer:
Douglass uses contrast to build his argument and engages the audience with his choice of words.
Step-by-step explanation:
Douglass uses contrast in his argument to highlight the harm caused by the institution of slavery. One example is when he contrasts the experience of slaveholders with that of enslaved people, showing that both groups suffer in different ways.
Another example is the contrast between Douglass's pursuit of literacy and the culture of the time that discouraged education for enslaved people. These contrasts help build Douglass's argument by emphasizing the complexity and detriment of slavery.
The choices of words in this paragraph have a powerful effect on the audience. Douglass's sophisticated thought and acute awareness of the rhetorical situation show that he is writing for an educated audience. The word choice also emphasizes the seriousness of the historical period and adds weight to Douglass's arguments. Overall, the choices of words in this paragraph engage the audience and strengthen Douglass's argument.