Declaration of Independence Evaluation

Thomas Jefferson was one our nation’s founding fathers. Prior to being elected America’s third president, Jefferson was selected to draft the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson had visions of a nation independent of the British hold that was grasping our country at that time. With beautiful, flowing words and true foresight into the future, Jefferson used the appeal of Ethos, Pathos and Logos. Thomas Jefferson vision for this country was well represented in the writing as he wrote it before the fifty-six other signatures declared America’s independence. Our third president, born in 1743, was not just a public servant but also a historian, husband and father. Of course, he was also a slave owner, which in Virginia was the norm for an affluent property owner (Monticello). Perhaps Jefferson practicing law in Virginia was what most influenced his ability to poetically write the Declaration of Independence. One of the recognizable lines of this documents is “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal…Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration). This declaration was not just for the British, but also for all citizens of the original thirteen colonies and in order for our Independence to be successful as a nation the people would need to use this a rallying cry. To say Jefferson was able to appeal to his audience on an ethical level is an understatement. These words and their most basic meaning have a certain level of credibility and that is evident by the respect and recognition the Declaration still has today.
Immigrants in this modern day seeking a new life in an independent, free country still read these words and find Jefferson’s emotionally persuasive words moving and uniting. When the United States was to establish a new, independent government the focus would be on refusing tyranny from government. Jefferson scribed words into the Declaration that emotionally appealed to all readers. For citizens the

Cited: "Brief Biography of Thomas Jefferson." Thomas Jefferson 's Monticello. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. <http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/brief-biography-thomas-jefferson>.