Final answer:
Abolitionists solicited ex-slaves to share their stories in order to sway public opinion against slavery by evoking empathy and moral outrage.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the period of abolitionism in the 19th century, abolitionists sought to sway public opinion against slavery by soliciting ex-slaves to share their stories. These personal narratives, often highlighting the horrors and injustices of slavery, were used by abolitionists to evoke empathy and moral outrage in the general public. By sharing these stories through various methods of mass communication, such as pamphlets, newspapers, and public speeches, abolitionists aimed to bring about a change in societal attitudes towards slavery.