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Rhetorical Analysis Of The Declaration Of Independence

836 Words4 Pages

Landin Wolters
Ms. McDonald
AP English Lang
24 September 2014
Rhetorical Analysis: The Declaration of Independence
It is widely known that the Declaration of Independence is one of the most well known written works of American Government. It was not just a declaration, but it served also as a justification of the original 13 colonies’ right to break away from Great Britain. This declaration’s goal was to send a strong and clear message to the King of Great Britain, the colonies’ desire for new leadership as well as, condemn the King for the many abuses and misconduct by him toward the new colonies. Beginning with the iconic words, “We the People,” the Declaration of Independence is one of the most symbolic writings representing the colonies’ …show more content…

One of the best-known quotes of this document has been, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This would be the main message of the declaration and it is extremely well written. The word “we” is used again and again in this document, and serves to rally individuals to feel included and united as a whole. It is the first document to call the colonies the, “United States of America,” which paints a picture of nationalism, a united people under one flag and one country. The wording used in this document is very purposeful in its intent; it provides a unified platform that the people can assemble behind and feel …show more content…

As mentioned, the document provides a long list of unjust and immoral doings by the King and Great Britain, but it also defines what their rights are and the desire to be independent. For example, there is a quote that states, “In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble of terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.” It is quite clear this is not the first communication the colonies have had with Great Britain and they are no longer willing for their rights to be ignored. To repeat, the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have already been mentioned. Still, the declaration goes on to describe very clearly what the colonies’ rights and expectations are and sets a political tone or posture. In this quote, “By authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States: that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown.” This quote clearly states the colonies’ desire and the right to be free. In addition, the colonies make a pledge that further fortifies the political tone of this document by stating, “And for the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes

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In addition, “A government of our own is our natural right: and when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human life, he will become convinced that it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a deliberate manner.” This example presents that the government is the colonists’ right as well, because it is what they are being ruled by. When one thinks about life’s rollercoaster, it is believed that it is smarter and safer to have a formal constitution. This shows that the colonists should have a voice in their government, even though the king’s ideas are

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Over the course of American history, society has dealt with many flaws, and dilemmas. In Source B, it illustrates that Abigail Adams, John’s wife, wanted the Continental Congress to remember the ladies when they write The Declaration of Independence. In Source C, it rationalizes how slaves didn’t have equal rights as white men, and the petition is trying to give their natural rights back. Furthermore, in Source D, a miniseries that depicted John Adams life, given particular the Revolutionary War. This source allows the viewer to visualize the conflicts that the Continental Congress had, with the colonists, and the British.

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Could you imagine your life in the government’s hands? Through reading the Declaration of Independence, “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention”, and “From Subjects to Citizens”, one can sense an overall feeling that the colonists believe a government that disobeys people’s natural rights should be removed. Each source shows a different perspective to how the colonists felt about the overpowering king. The colonists’ main goals was to create a fair government that abided by their natural rights. Overall, these sources show how the colonists felt about their previous form of government and the changes they wish to make in their future colony so that they don’t make the same mistakes.

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In fact, almost a year after Lexington and Concord on July 4th, 1776 the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. One of the most important documents in American history states, “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown” (“DOI” doc. B). Too deep for the cause of independence, the Continental Congress rejected Parliament’s offer to resolve of all acts or taxes imposed on the colonies since 1763 and even grant representation for colonists as long as the ideology of the colonies being independent from Britain was no more. The British had offered everything the United Colonies asked for after the empires pitiful loss at Saratoga, though Lexington and Concord gave colonists an answer for a future with the mother

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The Rhetoric that Revolutionized America The United States declared its independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, the date that forever changed America. Angry about unjust taxes and mistreatment from Great Britain’s military, the colonists decided to take matters into their own hands and declared the ultimatum: they defied the British crown and founded a new government. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence from June 1776 to July 1776 that regarded the thirteen colonies as independent states of a new nation and explained the reasons why America separated from the British Empire. One statement does summarize what the colonist fought for as well as the the overall rhetorical strength of the document. The sentence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator

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The Declaration of Independence signifies the separation from Great Britain, and the endeavour of a new world where liberty reigns victorious. The rough draft contains minor revisions with great impacts. As the revisions are made, there is a greater message that lay behind the document which reveals a persevering of identity. Identity, in this context, representing the United States of America as a nation that holds life and liberty to the highest extent. The original document of the United States of America says just as much as the official in comparison because its omissions and revisions reveal the psyche of the leaders.

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The Declaration of Colonial Rights and Grievances was written to show why the Americans had begun to oppose of their King. One of their grievances was that they were not being entitled to life, liberty, and property when they had done nothing to ceded to any sovereign power at all. Their ancestors, who came from Britain, had all the rights, liberties, and immunities that they were given when they were born. They are wondering why they are given less and less rights when they were also people of Britain, all that was different was that they didn't live on the mother country. The document also stated “That by such emigration they by no means forfeited, surrendered, or lost any of those rights, but that they were and their descendants now are, entitled to the exercise and enjoyment of all such of them, as their local and the other circumstances enable them to exercise and enjoy.”

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In the Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson on behalf of the American people in 1776, the United States assert liberty from Great Britain and express their many points of opposition with the British crown. Jefferson uses anaphoric syntax and accusatory diction with a form of assertion followed by justification to create a logical appeal, thereby putting his audience at odds with the King and creating support for his argument. The Declaration is intended not only to publicly declare independence from Britain but to justify and create sympathy for the Americans' plight and encourage support from both within and without the country for their retaliatory efforts. Jefferson effectively and logically asserts the views of

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The unifying effect of the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, was vital to the future of the 13 American colonies. As a response to the British government’s harsh and unfair treatment, the document was an attempt at seceding and rebelling against the political regime, ruled by King George |||. The 1,337 word document includes all of the reasons as to why the 13 colonies believed they were justified in seceding, by predominantly mentioning the wrong doings the tyrannical British government had committed against them. These points were effectively made by using ethos, pathos, and logos as rhetorical appeals. The use of rhetoric within the Declaration of Independence helped Jefferson clearly state the reasons as to why the

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They wanted to be free because they felt that Britain was controlling them too much. The document is a true example of ‘Patriotism’ and inspires Americans until this day. The document is significant because not only did it show the struggles of America trying to be free but it taught us that ‘All men are created equal’. In June 1776, the congress of the United States, told some men to create the Declaration

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Declaration of Independence Precis Thomas Jefferson in his historical document, The Declaration of Independence (1776), asserts that the colonies should break free from Britain’s tyranny. Jefferson supports his assertion through the use of anaphora, parallel structure, imagery, emotional appeal to patriotism, and logical appeal to the colonist’s basic rights. Jefferson’s purpose is to advocate for the separation of Britain and the colonies in order to escape the British tyranny that King George imposes on the American colonists. Jefferson writes in a measured tone for the British parliament, King George, and for colonists who have been a victim of Britain’s oppression.

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“We the people…” (“Declaration of Independence.”) , Any American knows this first line from the United States Constitution that represents everything the American people stand for and is one of the most recognizable pieces of writing in the world from the American Revolution. The American Revolution helped end Puritan writing, strengthen our own political voice, and showed the American colonists how much of an impact writing has on the world. “In this verse is threatened the vengeance of God on the wicked unbelieving Israelites” that quote is from the literature Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God and is one of the most recognizable literature pieces from the 17th century American colonies. I have never heard of a high school student has read it and wrote a little essay on it’s

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The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and simple protests paint the picture of the struggle endured and well-deserved rights that people gained for each other. The suppression and abuse felt by the upper hand before 1776 instigated a sense of rebellion among the people – bringing them together despite their status or beliefs. This diverse set of individuals led to the making of The Declaration of Independence, or in other words “a national symbol of unity” (Stockdale). America was born in hopes of changing lives for the better and offering opportunity after opportunity to anyone without discriminating. Although there was a long fight for freedom and equality, the Constitution was drafted to outline the inalienable rights that all

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  “This is the right thing to do for myself and my country.” Soon after the signing of the Declaration the king released a statement to the representatives stating that so called colonies had declared independence. As he spoke he said that in a foolish attempt to gain independence we had inevitably doomed ourselves. However, our spirit as a country will forever keep us

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During the writing of “The Declaration of Independence”, Thomas Jefferson go to great lengths to describe why the colonies were choosing to separate themselves from Great Britain. This is done not only so readers will have a detailed description of what the American people were facing while being ruled by the King. The vivid depiction of all the cruelty he has shown towards the people. Furthermore, the lengthy, highly descriptive examination of all the wrongs and showing that the colonists made many appeals to the King but also the people of Britain that the reader now feels as if it is wrong for the Colonies to be under Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson begins by detailing the ethical standings of all people that live within the colonies.

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