For a self taught writer, Frederick Douglas is a paradigm for the use of rhetoric. This is due to the fact that Douglas takes his experiences and discusses them with authority, with ethos. In addition,  Douglas augments this story already laden with ethos through adding a heavy does of pathos as well as sprinkling a bit of logos here and there.

Let us begin with ethos. Ethos, which if misused can backfire heavily upon the one whom misuses it. It also, however, may be used to bring an argument to life. Douglas clearly exemplifies the latter as his subtle use of it provides the basis of the narrative. If one thinks about it, Douglas is implying that all his views and tales are correct as well as accurate however he never gives a reason for why one should in fact believe his word. He doesn't have to. Because underlying every argument he makes is the fact that he was once a slave. He speaks with authority and yet never explains why on the grounds that he knows what hes talking about, he has been through this himself and in consequence, his words should be headed. Ethos, however, is not the only weapon of speech wielded by Mr. Douglas; his arsenal delves deeper into rhetoric with his use of pathos as well as logos.

One thing that is true for the majority of the human race is that each and every one of us, if attacked from the right angle, will heed to sympathy. And in this type of battle, Douglas is a master general, using vivid imagery to evoke an emotional response in any compassionate soul who passes upon one of his passages. This is exemplified in every occasion in which Douglas describes the horrors committed unto the slaves.  "And in an instant poor Demby was no more. His mangled body sank out of sight, and blood and brains marked the water where he had stood". And it is true that most of us cannot go reading without feeling the slight twinge of pity for this man for our conscious tells us that it is only right to be a bit dismayed. 

However Douglas is also a man of cunning and logic. One who is able to gain ground in his arguments via using common sense to his advantage; in other words, logos. The prime example for this type of rhetoric is when Douglas goes on to describe how slaves were beaten for telling the truth. Not for lying to make themselves look good but for being utmost honest. Here our common sense rings in because we are conditioned to believe that the truth is the right thing to speak of no matter the circumstances.