Rhetorical Devices In Thomas Jefferson's Persuasive Speech

Various persuasive techniques such as, rhetorical devices, must be incorporated in a persuasive document in order to successfully persuade the audience. Thomas Jefferson uses various rhetorical devices within ¨The Declaration of Independence¨ in order to create an effective argument, and to inspire action within his people.
Within “The Declaration of Independence,” Jefferson was able to express the colonies compelling reasons for separation through his electrifying phrases. Throughout the document, Jefferson manages to use “moving language to greater effect” (Wilmore). When writing, Jefferson managed to give the document, “a poetic punch, and express the ideals in a way that people could take to heart-- even be willing to die for” (Wilmore).
Examples of five main points to consider when producing a successful persuasive document include: “informing your audience, inspiring your listeners, making metaphor and meaning, using repetition, and calling your audience to action,” all of which Jefferson managed to cram into the famous 1340-word document (“Star-quality…”). Jefferson initially begins the document by stating a man’s unalienable rights, while using a form of parallel structure and an anaphora within his sentences. He states, “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” (Jefferson 240). By beginning each fragment with the same word, Jefferson successfully grabs the audience's attention, and emphasize the rights that an individual should not be deprived of. Moreover, by including this list of rights, Jefferson appeals to the audience's logic, and lays out the fundamental rights that America was founded upon. As the document furthers, Jefferson includes a form of personification, “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light transient causes…” (Jefferson 240). The insertion of this fragment introduces a counterargument that Jefferson will dispute.
“The Declaration of Independence,” is considered, “...most read, most quoted, most admired works and perhaps the most eloquent and powerful words ever penned by an American author...” (Genovese). Still to this day the document echoes loudly, and is used to understand a human’s basics rights. Moreover, the document is the nation's foundation. Above its popularity, the document inspired many other movements. It influenced many important figures in American history such as: Abraham Lincoln in the Civil War, Elizabeth Cady Stanton in her fight for women's rights, and Martin Luther King in his fight for African-Americans (Wilmore). The carefully constructed document also inspired the French Revolution and other countries to fight for democracy (Ravoke). Most importantly however, the document persuaded the colonies to join together and revolt against the British government, resulting in a successful war. Overall, the words Jefferson put together resulted in a widely known document, that moved many people near and far. Thomas Jefferson uses numerous rhetorical devices within “The Declaration of Independence” to create an effective argument and to spark a sense of urgency within his people. Jefferson used his mighty pen filled with powerful words to justify the revolutionaries cause. Then, with the inclusion of the rhetorical devices, Jefferson managed to produce a successful