Text Analysis: Liberty of the Press, John Peter Zenger, 1733

--Who is writing?

• I believe that John Peter Zenger is writing “Liberty of the Press.”

--Who is the audience?

• In this writing the audience would have to be the reader (everyone) and somewhat directed towards colonial governor of New York, William Cosby.

--Who do the writers represent?

• John Peter Zenger is representing “Liberty of the Press,” and journalist, like himself.

--What is being said, argued and/or requested?

• The fact that William Cosby had Zenger arrested for seditious libel, which meant he wrote a statement about William Cosby that was, an unjustly impression and Cosby didn’t feel that it was true.

--How is it being said, argued and/or requested?

• It is being argued that, was John peter Zenger actually telling the truth or not. Later on during his trial, he kept writing his journal and Zenger’s lawyers were the ones who got the jurors to change their minds because Zenger has not committed a crime, everything he wrote was the truth.

--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?

• The fact that he was telling the truth about his statements that he includes in the journal was enough for the jurors to agree with Zenger’s lawyers and acquit him.