Preview

Rhetorical Devices In The Declaration Of Independence

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
886 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Rhetorical Devices In The Declaration Of Independence
De Anda 1

Political Document or Poetry?

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. …show more content…
He is very descriptive in his writing and uses a sophisticated tone to help King George understand the seriousness of his message. He constantly displays his intelligence through the use of advanced vocabulary, which enhances his tone. He does not simply state, "the King of Great Britain is a tyrant and we want to be independent". He uses phrases like, "The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States"(Jefferson 238) to show that he is angered by The King 's actions, while still displaying his
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    rhetorical essay of the declaration of independent
    • 316 Words
    • 2 Pages

    rhetorical essay of the declaration of independent

    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
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Emancipation Proclamation Rhetorical Analysis
    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Emancipation Proclamation Rhetorical Analysis

    Calling for military emancipation makes it difficult to declare who actually freed the slaves before the ratification of the thirteenth amendment. The slaves who ran to Union lines were freed with the document, but they ran to the military on their own will. Lincoln did not have anything to do with their running away because it has happened for centuries. It is this fact that makes the efficiency of the Emancipation Proclamation questionable. If the document did not remove the slaves from their masters and no one enforced it, how could it be efficient? Gates, Bennett, and Lincoln made the observation that the document only freed the males that joined the union. This makes it difficult to find records of exactly how many slaves the document…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Declaration of Independence Rhetoric Strategies
    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Declaration of Independence Rhetoric Strategies

    The Declaration of Independence was a document enacted in order for the thirteen colonies to emancipate from under Britain’s control. In it they speak to the king himself, the citizens of the thirteen colonies, and any other major audiences who are attentive to what circumstances have developed. The argument that is created by the newly sovereign people is supported by ethos, pathos, and logos, and is reinforced with the use of anaphora and parallelism together they all make a progressive structure that leads to their declaration of independence. Making this a strongly justifying Document…

    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis
    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis

    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
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis
    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis

    In “The Declaration of Independence,” “The Speech to the Virginia Convention,” and “The Crisis” all sources advocate the grand cause of America fighting for its independence from Britain by embracing war through effective rhetorical devices. In Jefferson’s work, he uses logos to expound powerfully this common purpose shared by all authors. For instance, Jefferson states boldly, Britain has “burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty” (Jefferson 121). The use of this strong device is also depicted in Patrick Henry’s writing when he says, “are fleets and armies necessary…

    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Devices In The Declaration Of Independence
    • 1058 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Rhetorical Devices In The Declaration Of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence is considered by many to be the finest piece of political prose ever written. It can be seen as a document in five parts: the introduction, the preamble, the denunciation of George III, the denunciation of the British people, and the conclusion. We are going to closely examine the first three as a way to understand how Jefferson's rhetorical strategies serves the political aims of the young colonies.…

    • 1058 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Analysis of the Rhetorical Devices used in the Revolutionary Era Speeches
    • 394 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Analysis of the Rhetorical Devices used in the Revolutionary Era Speeches

    During the beginning of the Revolution many documents, speeches and drawings were created in an attempt to unify the colonists and fight the British tyranny. Of these documents, there were three that played an important role in the Revolution. These three documents used similar writing methods to persuade colonists into one common goal; rallying against Great Britain.…

    • 394 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Language And Diction In Thomas Jefferson's The Declaration Of Independence
    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Language And Diction In Thomas Jefferson's The Declaration Of Independence

    The fervent appetite for freedom is a flame that is not easily extinguished. This passion is demonstrated in The Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson thoughtfully and carefully employs his language and diction in order to sway the reader to fight for their rights and justice.…

    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Thomas Jefferson Declaration Of Independence Analysis
    • 581 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Thomas Jefferson Declaration Of Independence Analysis

    Jefferson begins his letter towards the king with a preamble to introduce the idea of independence in which he uses ethos, pathos, and logos to appeal towards his audience. For example, he uses pathos with an erudite tone when he describes that men with…

    • 581 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Declaration Of Independence Ideas
    • 147 Words
    • 1 Page

    Declaration Of Independence Ideas

    The Declaration of Independence has the greatest influence on how the united states government has developed because it sets a strong foundation that a government can thrive in. It outlined what is most important for our government by setting up basic definitions of equality, rights of individuals and what not to do. These are the three most important ideas: the unalienable rights, list of grievances and equality among citizens. These ideas are so important because they are our references to make a strong and fair government that is self sufficient and can protect the rights of people.…

    • 147 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Patrick Henry Speech Analysis
    • 663 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Patrick Henry Speech Analysis

    In the speech, “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death,” Patrick Henry set out to convince the VirginaVirginia delegates that war with England was inevitable and the longer they waited the harder the war would be to win. Patrick Henry displays immaculate persuasion skills that disarm his audience from favoring reconciliation with Britain. Henry uses rhetorical strategies, such as, allusions, parallelism, and repetition to captivate his audience and appeal to their emotions. Henry institutes effective use of the range of appeals, ethos, logos, and pathos cementing the speech in physical and mental wholeness. These devices and strategies being used result in highly persuasive, motivational, and emotional words and ideas which produce an extremely powerful speech.…

    • 663 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Declaration of Independence
    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Declaration of Independence

    Jefferson’s use of imagery helps the audience really understand the way things worked when he was in Great Britain and how it became completely necessary to dissolve the political bands between Britain and the United States. “He has refused Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” This makes people develop this image of the King sitting on his thrown while people are not even given the necessary needs for living. “He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.” This helps develop this image of the King putting these people in these awkward and uncomfortable situations just to make it difficult to pass laws and make it so that it is not worth putting up a fight and they should just give into the King’s desires.…

    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Analysis Of Thomas Jefferson's Declaration Of Independence
    • 115 Words
    • 1 Page

    Analysis Of Thomas Jefferson's Declaration Of Independence

    Thomas Jefferson in his historical document, Declaration of Independence (1776), states that the God-given rights of liberty entitle the colonists to seek independence from Britain’s oppression and tyrannical ruling. Jefferson supports his statement by implementing an anaphora when addressing King George III, suggesting that he is unworthy of his title, and by appealing to guilt as he lists Britain’s fraudulent inducements toward the colonies. Jefferson’s purpose is to emphatically validate the brutality and injustice of the King and Parliament in order to assert the colonists’ rightful ownership of independence. Jefferson writes in a poised tone for Britain and King George III; he also targets the uncertain colonists, reevaluating their confidence…

    • 115 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    "The Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson: A look at the writing style of Thomas Jefferson
    • 1153 Words
    • 3 Pages

    "The Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson: A look at the writing style of Thomas Jefferson

    The Kings tyrannical measures regarding the thirteen colonies is one of the most prominent themes in "The Declaration of Independence". Jefferson first starts by stating that "when a long train of abuses and usurpations, begun at a distinguished period and pursuing invariably... it is their right, it is their duty to throw off such government" (338). In this opening preamble Thomas Jefferson explains that the people should not overthrow their government for any minor reason. However when those people are victims of repeated abuse by a tyrannical government, then, says Jefferson, it is the people's duty to overthrow that tyrannical government. Then in the 27 grievances section Jefferson describes another oppression when King George III has "called together legislative bodies at places unusual uncomfortable, and distant from depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures" (338). King George does not want the Thirteen Colonies to have any power at all. He tries to make the legal process so painfully hard that no one will bother to try and stop him because of all the work that is required to do so. In addition to the trouble the…

    • 1153 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Thomas Jefferson
    • 1179 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson was born into the planter class, which allowed him to receive a great education and to be especially skilled in writing. The skills he formed and his ambition was also a result of his personal characteristics throughout his young adult life. While he attended college he spent most of his time only on scholarly pursuits and on improving his physical attributes. This was important to getting where he wanted to be and clearly separated him from his peers. There was something different about Thomas Jefferson. He was committed to his ambitions. It has been recalled that he was not a great speaker. This may be one of the reasons that leadership was not a quality his peers first saw in him when he was elected to the House of Burgesses. Eventually through his writing that strongly advocated independence from Great Britain it became clear that Thomas Jefferson was a man that believed in the cause and would have a large role in it. Most people will revere the importance of Thomas Jefferson on the fact that he wrote the Declaration of Independence. It may be seen as one of the most common and basic things about him, but that should not discredit the importance of the document. The Declaration of Independence was the most critical document that severed all ties with Great Britain. While it greatly announced that to Britain it also was a written expression of rights that Jefferson…

    • 1179 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics