Rhetorical Devices In The Declaration Of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the most masterfully written document in the history of Western Civilization. The tone and urgency of this work influenced the colonial citizens to take action. Jefferson’s passion and persuasion helped change the course of history for the United States of America as we know it. The opening arguments of the document appeal to the peoples’ God given rights and compels them to separate from the British crown. Historians credit the Declaration of Independence with finalizing the revolutionary revolt and ultimate separation of the colonies from the British. This well written document contains a plethora of rhetorical appeals. Jefferson’s usage of the literary devices, rhetorical appeals known by the names of ethos, pathos, and logos convinced the Colonial people that the American colonies had no choice but to separate from Great Britain.

In 1607, Englishmen settled in Jamestown, Virginia, creating the first permanent English settlement in North America. Over a century later, after thirteen strong colonies had been established, the monarchy of Great Britain was still dictating colonial actions. Finally, in 1776, delegates met at the Second Continental Congress and adopted the Declaration of Independence. Although the engrossed copy of the document was supposedly a unanimous decision, Thomas Jefferson was hesitant about signing it. This was because he was the author of the first draft and did not agree with the new wording and diction. Slight changes in word choice and order contributed to the shift in tone and meaning because they caused the first draft to sound more harsh

In The Declaration of Independence there are multiples examples of rhetoric. Many of these examples are hard to find and at the same time there are some that are very easily noticed. Thomas Jefferson as well as Congress wrote the Declaration of Independence in a time of tension. The Declaration was written in order to persuade the king as well as loyalists to the king that they should have unalienable rights. He accomplished this persuasion while being passive aggressive at the same time.

In the Declaration of Independence, the author, Thomas Jefferson, uses both logic and emotion to justify America’s separation from Britain.

In “ The Declaration of Independence “ Thomas Jefferson use of rhetoric was to persuade to the world that the American Colonists deserved the right to part ways from Britain and to gain freedom. Jefferon makes his point to the world by using many persuasive appeals and literary terms. In paragraph one of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson brought up the need to give reasoning on why the colonies rebelled against their king. Jefferson says that he realizes the need to state “the causes which impel them to separation”, ( Textbook pg.117) showing that he is aware of his responsibility to explain the actions of the colonist and that he has “ a decent respect to the opinions of mankind”( Textbook pg. 117). With the use of the greek appeal

1.) Jefferson states the reasoning behind the writing of the Declaration of Independence. His reasoning is to declare the causes that propel a group toward separation.

Thomas Jefferson uses Rhetorical features to write the effective argument in “The Declaration of Independence” by using diction and repetition. Thomas Jefferson states, “For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world; for imposing taxes without consent; for depriving us, in many cases of benefits of trial by jury; for transporting us beyond the seas, to be tried for pretended offenses.¨ Thomas Jefferson uses diction by using powerful and meaningful words to persuade the people. He uses ¨imposing¨ which means striking, the king is striking the people with taxes. Thomas Jefferson also uses ¨depriving¨, he uses this word because it means denying. Thomas Jefferson uses this word because the king is denying it people and he wants to point

The Declaration of Independence clearly states, “all men are created equal.” However that is not the case early in America’s life. African Americans are taken from their homes and put to work as slaves. Women are discriminated against because of their gender. People with in poverty had few freedoms. When the Declaration of Independence says all people have a right to liberty, it is lying. Many races, gender, and social classes were discriminated and given limited freedoms. One of the most known is slavery.

Though he attempts to present an air of respect within the first sentence, it is done weakly, and must be revised and refined to successful achieve its purpose. Jefferson uses harsh language such as “expunge” and “unremitting” which have strong negative connotations, betraying the peaceful tone that the Congress attempts to convey, which most likely prompted them to exchange these words for more neutral words that are formal and less provocative. It is important to remember that even as they declared their independence from Great Britain, the intention of the American people was not to spark a war. Because this was not their aim, the style of Jefferson’s writing was unsuited for a letter attempting to avoid a war with the dangerous military power. By correcting the author’s embittered word choices, the founding fathers present a more diplomatic and agreeable document that appeals to its varied audience through a heightened sense of

In the Declaration of independence it shows many logical appeals, it shows authority, and it shows examples. In the Declaration of independence on section four it goes in detail about the laws of the government and it said “ he has forbidden his government to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend them.”( Capital BAC 187) Which means that we the people have some authority in this country. Thomas Jefferson provides an example by saying “ We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.”(Capital BAC 188) Thomas Jefferson is saying that time and time they have tried to settle the differences the British and the American colonist but there response was nothing.

Next Thomas Jefferson unleashes strong emotions towards the colonists loyal to Great Britain saying, “They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity”. Those who are loyal to Britain are therefore enemies and represent the tyranny “The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen States of America” is announcing separation from. There is also some logic Thomas Jefferson uses in the paragraph to support the emotions he creates. Jefferson listed oppressions earlier in the document and concludes that they, those loyal to Britain, have no desire to stand by those declaring their independence, therefore those loyal to the King will be treated the same as Great Britain.

Thomas Jefferson, in his well-known Declaration of Independence, conveys his message through belletristic devices. He employs imagery, language, diction, and syntax in an organized and straightforward manner, which gets the audience intrigued. Jefferson’s tone is formal and adamant and his purpose is to convince the colonist that loyalty to Britain is futile, and that help from other nations is needed. Jefferson, in The Declaration of Independence furthers his purpose by adequately employing ethos, logos, and pathos.

The declaration justified the colonial separation from Great Britain in many ways. Among these, were the expression of ‘Unalienable Rights’ and the ‘List of Grievances’. Not only did Thomas Jefferson declare that men had rights, but he did so while committing high treason. The shear idea that someone would publicly criticize king Gorge, was simply unheard of, at least from a British standpoint. While the congress had no idea as to whether the Colonies would win the war for independence, they did know that this new born country needed something to bring meaning to the endeavor that they were to undertake.

People today remember the enlightenment for creating the Saturnalia of new social epiphanies. As these new and old mindsets collide, tension is certain, but uncertain is whom would give. This is true in America, where a stout island king occupied and restricted a vast continent. They say the quill is mightier than the sword, but use determines the impact. Some argue for Henry's ethos or Paine's pathos, but Jefferson's logos surmount both, with the actual power to cause the war. A need to appeal to the opposition's leader, and moreover, a need to affirm the colonies' fight is straight and true marks it so. In Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, logos mark it most influential via parallelism, restatement, and repetition.

In order to establish independence for themselves and the country, the people of America made the decision to separate from Britain and start anew. Americans advocated for their demands of representation to be no longer ignored, as “A desire to fight British oppression motivated many recruits” (The American Promise, 213). By remaining submissive to Britain, there would be no advantages given to America, as Thomas Paine states, “Nothing but independence, a continental form of government, can keep the peace of the continent and preserve it inviolate from civil wars” (Reading The American Past, 122). Although ending ties with Britain did not guarantee success for America, it declared a step forward to achieving independence. For the people of America, this meant the protection and the voice of rights.To solidify America’s dissatisfaction of Britain’s rulings, a document titled “A Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms” was written by Thomas Jefferson stating, “familiar arguments about the tyranny of Parliament and the need to defend