Preview

Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
920 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis Essay
“The Declaration of Independence” paved the way for freedom in the United States. It rejected ruling from Great Britain, and made America its own country. The document was written by Thomas Jefferson, a delegate of the Second Continental Congress. The cause was the colonists being tired of the King taking their rights away, so they decided to withdraw from Great Britain and become their own free country. Their feelings are expressed in The Declaration when the tone portrayed was critical and straightforward. The Declaration was important in the style it contained which is the reason it was successful. Jefferson wrote the Declaration to declare the colonies freedom from Great Britain. In the beginning Jefferson, preached about how he feels …show more content…
Pathos used heavily just before the ending of the document. It is used most when Jefferson states,” A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people” (Jefferson). This sentence extremely draws out emotions of the reader. He addresses all people in relation to the King, saying he is more of a tyrant and does not have a right to rule the thirteen colonies. The war, taking place at this time, involved colonists fighting for freedom. Since the people will be an independent country the freedom will be won and America will eventually be formed. This changes the tone to a very argumentative tone as he attacks the King directly, which his so much closer to achieving his purpose. Stephen E. Lucas agrees in his article “The Stylistic Artistry of the Declaration of Independence”, when he says ,”But the emotional pitch of the war grievances was also part of a rhetorical strategy designed to solidify support for independence in those parts of America that had yet to suffer the physical and economic hardships of war” (Lucas). Lucas says this because Jefferson wrote this while the war was going on against the soon to be free country, making the King seem like even more of a tyrant, claiming excessive reasoning for

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The Declaration of Independence was written and created with the purpose of the colonists gaining freedom from Great Britain. The colonists were tired of being taken advantage of with strict laws and crazy taxes. This document was approved on July 4th, 1776. It was hand-written by Thomas Jefferson. The first part explains why it was written, the second part contains how King George has failed as a King and how he has violated them, and finally the third and last part of the Declaration of Independence is the actual Declaration and all of the colonies are said to be the United States of America.…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence was an important political figure among the thirteen colonies. He was outspoken against the British’s rule over America and an incredible writer, that’s why they picked him to write the document. Thomas Jefferson, being a proud patriot wanted his independence but none the less would still be civil and respectful to the king while stating facts to support the colonies case for independence. During the time it was written, Brittain was abusing their power over the colonies with different kinds of taxes over basic goods like stamps and tea. The colonists were frustrated that they could be taxed without having a say in the government that was taxing them. Thomas Jefferson wrote out…

    • 393 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The declaration of Independence was written in order that the colonists would have freedom from King George III. The colonists failed to like the concept of being taken advantage of with the strict laws and insane taxes. The document was written by Thomas Jefferson and was approved on July 4th, 1776. It first begins with an introduction of why the statement became written. Then the second one states how the King has violated their rights and how he has failed as a king. The ending is the official declaration of Independence and the colonies are renamed America of the United States.…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Finally, Congress passed the final draft of the Declaration of America Independence on July 4, 1776. The motion was first made by Richard Henry Lee. However, Thomas Jefferson, whose job was to convince people who opposed or had no opinions about independence, was the one who wrote the declaration. The declaration consists of three major sections and is an inspiration for other countries pursuing same goals in the future to write their own Declaration. Declaration of Independence of the United States marked the influence of Enlightenment philosophy and it was the result of the English Revolution of 1688.…

    • 1025 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Thesis: Thomas Jefferson’s The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, is the announcement of the colonist to gain independence from Great Britain. Summary: Jefferson strongly believes that every man deserves the basic rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.…

    • 244 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson serves as a representative for the Thirteen Colonies by stating their grievances against King George the III. He elaborates on the complaints by giving his reasons for why it is necessary that the colonies break away from Great Britain and King George 's rule. He states that the king has neglected, restricted, and deprived the colonies of their rights. Jefferson is able to clearly get his message across by using a variety of rhetorical devices, which include allusions, anaphora, details, diction, imagery, and tone. He uses these literary devices effectively to help convey his message, although Jefferson 's most effective rhetorical device proves to be his persuasive appeal, meaning ethos, pathos and logos. With these techniques he is able to appeal to the audience 's emotions, ethics, and logic, helping Jefferson to further prove his points valid.…

    • 886 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In this declaration of independence appear different types of ethos. The author expressed the ethos by using his reputation and his experience. Here are some examples of ethos. “He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people”. (The Declaration of Independence, Fourth line, third paragraph.) Also “he has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within”. (The Declaration of Independence, six line, third paragraph.) “He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands”. (The Declaration of Independence, six line, third paragraph.) “He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.”( The Declaration of Independence, seventh line, third paragraph.) Finally The last ethos shown “ He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their…

    • 316 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    When talking about The Declaration of Independance, you can’t fail to mention the reasoning behind this important document of American history. It all began when the original thirteen colonies wanted their independence from Great Britain. This lead to a war, known as the American Revolution. It was a long fight for freedom that lasted eight years. However, a little bit over a year into war, Continental Congress appointed five men to draft a formal statement that will later become know as The Declaration of Independance. These five men were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Even though this was a joint committee of five men, Thomas Jefferson mainly wrote most of The Declaration of Independence.…

    • 319 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Declaration of Independence was a paper written by five men; Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston. It was made because the colonist were done with laws, taxes and acts from the king. The Declaration of Independence symbolized that the colonies were no longer part the the British Crown and Freedom for most people. That was the the end with the battles and arguments with the British.…

    • 549 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The writers of the Declaration of Independence used many techniques to enhance the meaning of this historic document. The writers start off by establishing their ethical standing; that they are reasonable and honorable men (they do this by acknowledging that they need to explain to everyone the reasons for their actions.) The also state the purpose of the document; why the colonists want to separate themselves from the British Crown. They continue onto the next paragraph and state their beliefs. I noticed syntax in the second paragraph. The word “that” is repeated so their fundamental beliefs are loud and clear. They argue that when the government fails to protect the rights of the people, the people have a right to overthrow that government “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations… is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such…

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In Jefferson’s hands the rhythm and building pressure to the revelation of its three central human rights elevate the political necessities to heroic ideals. In fact the Declaration proved so stirring that Washington ordered it read to the American troops. Stephen E Lucas, in his essay “The Stylistic Artistry of the Declaration of Independence”(3) notes that Jefferson turned to the writing of Milton, Pope, and Shakespeare, among others, and that he wrote “for the ear as well as for the…

    • 1656 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    At the young age of 32 Thomas Jefferson was chosen to be one of the five to write the Declaration. Thomas Jefferson is the Founding father of the Declaration of independence . He was a part of the five committee and was chosen to write the declaration. He was elected to become third president in 1801. The declaration of independence is a statement that is adopted by the second continental congress meeting on July 4th, 1776. The declaration of independence gave men and women the right to life, and declared that all are equal, and that’s what stood out. Thomas Jefferson sat and wrote the declaration of independence 17 days straight . It combined the wisdom of his environment. Jefferson is essentially the…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The declaration explains why the colonies decided to put an end to the king, and take their place as a separate nation of their own. It states “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…

    • 326 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In “the Declaration of Independence” (1776), Thomas Jefferson, argues that the colonies need to get their independence from Great Britain because instead of respecting them they have been abusing and taking advantage of the colonies. Thomas Jefferson reinforces his point of view by listing all the ways that King George has been abusing his powers, and he points out how all men deserve “ life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (95). Jefferson knows that his people aren’t happy with the way that they are being treated, so in order to stand up for his people and support them he declared independence from Britain. In a serious and furious tone he made it clear to King George and the british people that they didn’t want to keep being unhappy…

    • 138 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Words like “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are recognized by many. While phrases like “…let facts be submitted to a candid world” may be less familiar (Jefferson 213). Jefferson uses this language and structure of words and phrases to emphasis the overarching resolve and frustration of the early colonies. He uses passionate language like “Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” to capture what he and the new Americans believe to be rightfully theirs as “unalienable rights” (Jefferson 213). This document is not only for the budding Americans, nor just the King of England, but it is a civil document of grievances intended for the whole known world to see clearly what the transgressions of King George are, and why the colonies are calling for desperate measures. It allows the world to see the reasoning and logic behind a set of actions. This is crucial to understanding how barely a hundred years later, Elizabeth Cody Stanton and the women’s movement is going to rework this influential document to point out some shortcomings and express their frustrations and reasoning to a “candid world” (Jefferson…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays