How Does Thomas Jefferson Use Ethos In The Declaration Of Independence

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, explains to his readers why the colonies chose to abolish Great Britain’s government. His goal is to inform the readers that the government has certain responsibilities to the governed and that the British failed to adhere to its responsibilities to its colonists. His second goal is to justify their actions by explaining why it was not considered treason. By establishing his credibility and appealing to ethos, pathos and logos, Jefferson successfully wrote an informative, impactful, and inspirational document.

In the year 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence due to the unfair treatment of the American colonist from the King of Britain. In the document, Jefferson used the expressions, “unalienable rights” and “self-evident truths”. Jefferson uses these expressions to explain all people are equal the day they are born are created equal, and certain rights should not and cannot be taken away from them. All men have the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness which is given its validity through the belief that all men come from the same creator. The author also uses pathos and logos to clarify the importance of the American independence by stating facts with a passionate tone of voice throughout the document. While

He was given the responsibility, by the continental congress, to compose a draft of the declaration. Jefferson took this opportunity to compose one of the greatest testaments in American history. He utilized rhetorical strategies that encouraged and uplifted the colonists. By listing all the acts of tyranny that King George III committed, Jefferson stirred up feelings of anger and disappointment into the colonists. An example from the Declaration of Independence, “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people”(US 1776). In this quote, Jefferson writes about King George III ruining the lives of American colonists. Jefferson’s goal was to open the eyes of the colonists to fight against King George’s tyranny. Colonists gained inspiration from Jefferson’s work, and they united with one common goal—to gain independence. Though this document was intended to inspire the colonists, it was also written as a formal and official document so that King George III would interpret it in a serious manner. The Second purpose Jefferson had for the Declaration of Independence was to declare America’s independence from Great Britain. Jefferson is speaking directly to King George III of Great Britain when he declares America as an independent new

Jefferson listed the tyranny acts the King and the government has been committing. He states, “For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our government.” This quote was an example of the list which opened the colonists’ eyes allowing them to realize how they have been blind to the actions that have been taken regarding their rights. As a result, the colonists became passionate about becoming independent and creating the laws that were necessary, reasonable, and didn’t contradict their

The Declaration of Independence was written justifying the reasons for revolting against the British rule. It served three purposes, outlining its theory of government, listing complaints, and declaring war. The main complaint was the passage of unfavorable laws in England that affected the colonists yet they were not represented within the English Parliament to air the opinions while such laws were being passed. Though appearing like a logical argument, the British might have viewed it as diluting their power within their own parliament. Another complaint was the King’s role in making it difficult for the Colonists to participate in governance; this might also have been seen as undermining the British power in America and then there was forbidding laws that would have established significant judiciary powers. The King being the supreme source of justice might have viewed it as undermining

Jefferson uses logos to show the colonists about what they are fighting for is their own rights and freedom. This logical appeal persuades the audience to support the Declaration since ultimately it has been fighting for their unalienable rights that have not been granted under British rule. It says, "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 logically appeals to all of the colonists that have been oppressed by King George, and persuades the audience since it's for the benefit of themselves. The colonists should have the right to stand up for themselves, and separation of Britain would allow that.

As a reader, I found this sentence very powerful, and I’m sure when it was written, it was even more so, seeing as the writers/readers were the ones experiencing the suffering. Another place that Jefferson appealed to pathos was in the last sentence. He says, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” By showing how much everyone is willing to sacrifice (lives, fortunes, and honor), it illustrates the amount of heart and passion that went into this document. Logos of the document: Logic/reason The entire first paragraph is telling the readers why this declaration of independence needs to made in the first place. He states that there is a time when a society needs to break away from its past leader (Britain) and rely on the powers of God and the earth to create a new community. He is using logic to help his readers understand the meaning of this document. He continues to use logos in explaining why this declaration is important as he explains that it will “secure these rights,” which pertain to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Another time, logos is used in the declaration is when Jefferson is addressing all the wrongs the King of Britain did, and he lists them. He presents his evidence very

Overall, the Declaration of Independence, is more effective at achieving its purpose because of its superior use of appeals and more effective closing than the Declaration of Sentiments. The goal of both declarations, was in part to draw followers to their respective causes. In the case of the Declaration of Independence, the document uses all three types of appeals but relies more heavily on logos and pathos to coax colonists into joining their cause. Jefferson layers logos and ethos together to increase their effect: “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 becomes destructive to these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it.” In this instance Jefferson provides an extremely logical path for the reader to follow, governments are instituted to protect the rights of the people, and if they are not doing this, then the people must do something about it.

Declaration of Independence Study Guide The Declaration of Independence uses a wide variety of vocabulary. The use of rhetoric, deductive reasoning and parallelism is present. Lines 45 through 148 of the Declaration, Jefferson builds on his argument with inductive reasoning, syntax, and diction Jefferson uses several rhetorical devices they include: logos, ethos, persuasive appeals and pathos. He uses deductive logic in the form of a syllogism to clearly present his argument The Declaration of Independence.

Throughout the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson uses anaphora

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence, is the document that gave America its freedom. The document had to be very well written as each person signing their name was committing an act of treason to Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson wrote two drafts of The Declaration of Independence and in those two drafts there are many rhetorical differences. The ones I found the most important were: the difference in appeals, the stronger diction in the final draft, and the proper grammer in the final draft.

Thomas Jefferson and the colonist believe this was possible, and they join together to create their view on independence. Thomas Jefferson begins the Declaration of Independence, by stating the purpose of writing it. It was message to not only to the King of the British Empire, but it was also a message to the rest of the world. Thomas Jefferson examples that separation from the British Empire was the only choice that the colonist had left. Thomas Jefferson uses Pathos, when he gives a very detail description of the abuse the colonist has been facing while under the British control.

The major premise of Jefferson’s argument is his theory of “natural law,” where he argues, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” He goes on to state that it is the government’s job to protect these rights of the people and if it fails to do so, “it is [the people’s] duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.” Having this major, broader premise in his argument is what leads him into his minor premise, which is his attack on King George III. Jefferson accuses the King of preventing the people from exercising the rights that Jefferson previously mentions. He then provides specific examples of how George III and his government did so. With this argument, composed of his major and minor premises, Jefferson goes into his conclusion, the call for secession of the colonies from the British Empire. The organization of the Declaration of Independence helps Jefferson’s argument a great deal. The syllogism provides areas for multiple arguments that can be backed by strong evidence. With it, Jefferson is able to argue his points in a clear and easy way with little room for a rebuttal from an opposing argument.

Thomas Jefferson, a lawyer and advocate of revolution, declares freedom from Britain in The Declaration of Independence. He persuades his audience, the American colonists and other nations, to understand why they decided to break free from Britain. He takes on an authoritative stance to persuade them. The zeugma he uses emphasizes the colonists' need to gain liberty from Britain. Jefferson describes the numerous ways England has violated the colonists' rights so he is able to easily persuade his audience that their actions are warranted and that they must do everything they can to attain independence. He points out that they must protect "[their] lives, [their] fortunes, and [their] sacred honor" because each of these words hold value to the

The Declaration of Independence is a document that announced the separation of thirteen new colonies from Great Britain (Writing of Declaration of Independence). The document was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, revised by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin before handing the final draft to Congress on June 28, 1776 (Jefferson And The Declaration Of Independence). Furthermore, the draft was adopted and then signed on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress. While reading the Declaration of Independence, there are clear signs of other work being weaved into the official paper as “harmonizing sentiments of the day” (Jefferson). This included works from political idealist such as George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights and John Locke's Second Treatise of Government.