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Aberleine Merkh

Van Velden

English

15 October 2018

The Many Sides of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin made many contributions to society such as being a very gifted

scientist and writer.

Benjamin Franklin was interested in electricity and discovered, “Similarities between

electrical sparks and lightning 1. Giving light 2. The color of light 3. Crooked direction 4. Swift

motion 5. Being conducted by metal 6. Crack or noise in exploding" (51). Benjamin Franklin

was able to add to our knowledge regarding electricity. Franklin conducted many experiments

such as, "Using a tall metal rod to draw some of the electrical charges from a cloud" (51). This

quote supports the claim that Benjamin Franklin was a scientist because his knowledge from

being a scientist guided him to create a valuable device known as the lightning rod. Benjamin

Franklin was a very famous scientist and helped us gain a better understanding of electricity.

Although Benjamin Franklin was a talented scientist, he was also a skilled and

determined writer and wrote many outstanding pieces. Benjamin Franklin desired to write for his

brother's newspaper but, "He knew his brother would never knowingly print his pieces. So one

night he invented a pseudonym, distinguished his handwriting, and slipped an essay under the

printing house door" (page 48). This shows he was passionate about writing and was willing to

do anything to write. Benjamin Franklin's writing style was very unique and was described as,
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"Velvet tongued and sweetly passive style of circumspect argument... seem sage to some,

insinuating and manipulative to others" (49). Benjamin Franklin had a unique writing style that

captivated many people to read his pieces. Benjamin Franklin was a very talented writer and was

able to attract many people to read his work. Benjamin Franklin had a unique writing style that

captivated many people to read his pieces. Benjamin Franklin was a very talented writer and was

able to attract many people to read his work.

Benjamin Franklin was able to do many amazing things such as being an excellent writer

and scientist. As a scientist, "He performed electricity tricks such as creating static electricity...

drawing sparks from the feet of a boy hanging from silk cords from the ceiling" (page 50). His

discoveries and experiments have helped us over time better our understanding on many difficult

topics. On the other hand, Benjamin Franklin was constantly improving his work and, “The older

he got the more he learned to follow his own advice. He used silence wisley, employed an

indirect persuasion, and feigned modesty and naïvete in disputes” (page 49). He had his own way

of writing and was able to write many unique pieces that people were interested in. Benjamin

Franklin was a skilled writer and scientist for his time and made many contributions to our

society today.