Paraphrasing the Decleration Questions
3.5 The Declaration of Independence
Paraphrasing Main Ideas
You will find it easier to understand the main ideas in The Declaration of Independence if you recognize the language that Jefferson used to state them and then paraphrase these items in your own words. As you read each section of the document complete the chart by writing the words that Jefferson used to state each main idea. The first one is done for you.
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Main Ideas in the Declaration of Independence
Directions: Type the number and then type Thomas Jefferson’s Words (make sure they are quotations). Label it 3.5 Jefferson.
1. Section of Speech: The Preamble (Lines 1 - 8)
Main Ideas: 1.Sometimes it is necessary for people to break their political ties. 2. The colonists should state their reasons for separating.
Thomas Jefferson's Words: "...it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another."
2. Section of Speech: A Declaration of Rights (Lines 9 - 37)
Main Ideas: 1.All people have basic, God-given rights. 2. Whenever a government denies people their basic rights, it is their duty to overthrow it.
Thomas Jefferson's Words: “...That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...”
3. Section of Speech: A List of Complaints (Lines 38 - 120)
Main Ideas: The King of England has refused to agree to laws to help the people.
Thomas Jefferson's Words: “He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.”
4. Section of Speech: A Statement of Independence (Lines 121 -
Paraphrasing Main Ideas
You will find it easier to understand the main ideas in The Declaration of Independence if you recognize the language that Jefferson used to state them and then paraphrase these items in your own words. As you read each section of the document complete the chart by writing the words that Jefferson used to state each main idea. The first one is done for you.
Top of Form
Main Ideas in the Declaration of Independence
Directions: Type the number and then type Thomas Jefferson’s Words (make sure they are quotations). Label it 3.5 Jefferson.
1. Section of Speech: The Preamble (Lines 1 - 8)
Main Ideas: 1.Sometimes it is necessary for people to break their political ties. 2. The colonists should state their reasons for separating.
Thomas Jefferson's Words: "...it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another."
2. Section of Speech: A Declaration of Rights (Lines 9 - 37)
Main Ideas: 1.All people have basic, God-given rights. 2. Whenever a government denies people their basic rights, it is their duty to overthrow it.
Thomas Jefferson's Words: “...That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...”
3. Section of Speech: A List of Complaints (Lines 38 - 120)
Main Ideas: The King of England has refused to agree to laws to help the people.
Thomas Jefferson's Words: “He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.”
4. Section of Speech: A Statement of Independence (Lines 121 -