ipl-logo

Rhetorical Analysis Of The Declaration Of Independence

683 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The declaration of independence rhetorical devices

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most influential documents in American culture. According to Stephen E. Lucas, The Declaration of Independence is sectioned into five main parts: the introduction, the preamble, the indictment of George III, the denunciation of the British, and the conclusion (Lucas). The introduction and the preamble of this document are written in an elevated, formal style to show their significance and importance. The indictment of King George III occurs later in the document as a way to soften the attack on the current government. The criticism of the British also is done later in the document and in a simple, common style using shorter sentences. Thomas Jefferson, in his writing of The Declaration of Independence, …show more content…

The opening paragraph of the introduction is actually one long, periodic sentence. Lucas explains in his Stylistic Artistry of the Declaration of Independence that the use of the intricate phrases instill a sense of unquestionable authority in The Declaration of Independence (Lucas). Jefferson’s use of the phrases "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God”, "course of human events," and "separate and equal station among the powers of the earth," in The Declaration of Independence all invoke the idea that the colonies breaking away from Britain is part of a bigger, perhaps even religious, plan (Jefferson). Jefferson’s use of complex, detailed sentences and even his capitalization of important words mimics the writing style and tone of many religious books including The …show more content…

In his writing of this great document, Thomas Jefferson intentionally structured this document specifically to entice the colonists to fight for their independence from Britain. By using sophisticated, elevated speech in the introduction and the preamble, Jefferson suggested that the colonists’ independence was in accordance to God’s will. Jefferson also cleverly chose not to attack the wrong-doings of King George III and the British until the middle part of The Declaration of Independence. By burying the negative statements, Jefferson was able to capture the readers’ attention more effectively rather than turning them away with initial negativity. Finally, Jefferson chooses to use simple syntax with one and two-syllable words in this section. This common language is appropriate for the common man who had been burdened by the British and their government. The careful structuring of The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson allows this document to stand the test of time and have made it a cornerstone in the American

Show More
Related
123 Words | 1 Pages

The very first sentence of the chapter makes me believe that the setting is obviously in Oklahoma and a little while after the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. It makes me believe that because of the way that the narrator writes and him/her calling it “the red country and part of the gray country,” which is referencing the red, white, and gray sand often associated with the state. Later on in the first page, the narrator begins to describe a drought taking place. Perhaps the drought will last a long time and lead to the narrator and his/her family moving somewhere more viable. On the second page, the narrator describes “wheels” milling the ground, which leads me to believe that he/she lives

Read More
536 Words | 3 Pages

The United States of America's Declaration of Independence is a document that was written by Thomas Jefferson. This document describes to England, that the American colonies no longer wish to maintain themselves under British laws and rules. They wish to be a nation on their own. The colonists were tired and fed up of living under British rule. The taxes were becoming unbearable and seen as unfair for them to pay.

Read More
800 Words | 4 Pages

1. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. The purpose of the declaration was to separate the colonies from Great Britain and to give reason for this severance. The preamble gives the reasons why they must separate themselves and why they cannot tolerate a foreign ruler. Jefferson wrote his first draft of the declaration, and when he showed it to Congress there was an intensive revision process totaling 86 changes, these changes must have been made extremely precisely when you think of the severity of this text.

Read More
560 Words | 3 Pages

An Analysis of The Declaration of Independence Stephen King says, “To write is human, to edit is divine.” Mr. King’s claim carries considerable weight for many, engendering an angelic sense of duty to the written word. This duty was felt most strongly during the American revolution, with every word eliciting the potential for the boom of a thousand cannons. It was at this crucial turning point in American history that Thomas Jefferson was tasked with writing the Declaration of Independence, arguably one of the most influential documents in history. The changes made to the draft of the Declaration regarding capitalization, for emphasis, and the deletion and modification of specific words and phrases, for inspiring a sense of unity, create synergy,

Read More
760 Words | 4 Pages

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.

Read More
660 Words | 3 Pages

The American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence is a book describing the American independence and the process that led to the development of the Declaration of Independence. Maier divides the book into four chapters with each containing different and yet complementary topics surrounding the Declaration. Chapter I analyzes the decision made by the Second continental congress to declare independence and the conditions surrounding it. In Chapter II Maier examines “other declarations of Independence” proposed by colonies and towns that explains and justifies the American people’s sentiment in independence from Great Britain. Chapter III focuses on Thomas Jefferson’s role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the contributions put forth by different members of the drafting committee.

Read More
424 Words | 2 Pages

Each grievance stated begins with “He has,” creating an exasperated, elongated, ‘laundry list’ tone. Furthermore, “That to secure these rights… Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government… it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government… Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.” The parallel structures used in this excerpt serve a crucial role in the effectiveness of the document mainly in providing a concrete rhythm. This rhythm shows that the Declaration of Independence was not merely a complaint letter—it was a proclamation of

Read More
753 Words | 4 Pages

Thomas Paine came from a pretty average family. His father was a corseter he had high hopes for his son to go further than he had in life. This was not really in the cards it seemed at first. He was consistently failed at everything he did first was the family business then he was an excise tax officer, however he failed at that as well not once but twice. In the process he did start what would become his legacy, writing.

Read More
1179 Words | 5 Pages

The Declaration of Independence is arguably the most important historical work of the pre-modern era. Because of this document, America was recognized for its brash, albeit just demands for independence from Britain. Aside from the obvious historical significance and precedence of the document, its composition was constructed in such a way that conveyed the determination of a new nation to be one in its own. Historical context and rhetorical strategies, such as appeals and fallacies, are used cohesively throughout the Declaration of Independence to convey American sentiments of independence throughout the American Revolution. Historical Background

Read More
410 Words | 2 Pages

During the writing of one of the most important historical documents, the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson made quite a few changes. The changes that he made were all for the sake of compromise and to come to an agreement among the colonies. If those changes were never made, America may not have been like we know it to be today. When you compare the original version of the Declaration of Independence to the revised version, you will come to understand why we made the changes he did. One of the most significant changes he made was completely cutting out a large section that was against the use of slavery.

Read More
779 Words | 4 Pages

Jefferson managed to organize the Declaration to where it contained an introduction, a preface, an indictment of King George III, criticism of the British people, and finally a conclusion. Firstly, Jefferson started with an introduction of “The Declaration of Independence.” Thus being the first paragraph in the document. It states the following: “When, in course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with

Read More
100 Words | 1 Pages

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.

Read More
162 Words | 1 Pages

Thomas Jefferson’s tone in the first paragraph is objective, because it addresses the universal problem, not just Americans vs. British. This introduction is over the rights people have to overthrow an unjust government, “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands” (167). Jefferson is not trying to persuade anyone to revolt, but is instead making the revolution seem as a natural outcome. The words “necessary” and “declare” aid set the tone for the introduction, because both of those words hold a stronger meaning in the Declaration Of Independence. “Necessary” is utilized to imply that the revolution was inevitable, Jefferson claims that the revolution is fate and that there is no

Read More
417 Words | 2 Pages

The Declaration of Independence is a timeless document that has been revered for centuries. It was written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 and declared the colonies’ freedom from British rule. The Declaration was a powerful statement of the colonists’ grievances against the British government and their intention to separate from the Crown. This essay will discuss the importance of the Declaration of Independence, its impact on the American Revolution, and its lasting legacy.

Read More
432 Words | 2 Pages

The Declaration of Independence is an extremely important document to the United States. Thomas Jefferson receives the most credit for writing the declaration, however he was assisted by five other men that were apart of the Constitutional Congress. They wrote the declaration to persuade the colonist to break free from Britain. The Declaration of Independence uses numerous persuasive appeals and language, including parallelism, pathos, and ethos. Parallelism is “a pattern in writing in which words and phrases are similar in structure, one echoing another.”

Read More

More about Rhetorical Analysis Of The Declaration Of Independence

Related Topics

Open Document