Preview

Rhetorical Analysis Of The Declaration Of Independence

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
847 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Rhetorical Analysis Of The Declaration Of Independence
Matthew Vieten
English 101
Professor Grattan
09/11/13

The Road Ahead

Thomas Jefferson’s The Declaration of Independence serves as one of the most well respected manifestos ever written due to its almost unanimous support. The document sends a powerful message that no one man should have the power to enforce his will upon any amount of people without proper representation. Jefferson states countless misuses of power by the King in hopes of rallying up fellow colonists to fight back against the tyranny of the King of Britain. However, the document does not just serve as a list of misrepresentations and evils done by the King, but it in fact helps to outline an abstract plan of how the people of the colonies should live after secession from …show more content…
The Declaration of Independence is no exception. The principles of the document all deal with basic human rights. Jefferson states the King’s inhumane decisions and actions against the rights, we the people, ought to have as human beings. Jefferson states that we all have, “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Jefferson has incredibly strong feelings about people who try to take away our natural rights and he wants to deter the States from being stuck under a government that does not respect those very rights. Not only as people do we have the privilege to these rights, but we also have the duty to preserve them at any cost. Jefferson’s statements within the document help to show his true agenda; to offer a reason to change their society so that the people can be free without …show more content…
He writes of how the King used his power for evil instead of good. For instance, Jefferson states, “ He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.” The people of the colonies must stand up to the British Empire at any cost to preserve their liberty and freedom. He puts everything on the table and provides a direction to a system in which States can govern themselves and depend less on a centralized government. Jefferson demands that the people of the colonies are able to live in peace whilst completely represented in terms of taxation, military endeavors, etc. Although at times Jefferson’s words seem to sound like he has a literal plan of how the colonies should be governed, in fact, it is a philosophy that does not have to be limited to just those who live in the colonies, but any person or people that feel they have been unfairly or unrightfully governed. His words offer a powerful message that any oppressor, whether a single person or a unified government, needs to be dealt with and should never be allowed to continue with
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Devices In The Declaration Of Independence
    • 886 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Rhetorical Devices In The Declaration Of Independence

    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…

    • 886 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Thomas Jefferson Declaration Of Independence Summary
    • 244 Words
    • 1 Page

    Thomas Jefferson Declaration Of Independence Summary

    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
    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

    The Declaration Of Independence Summary
    • 320 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Declaration Of Independence Summary

    The Declaration of Independence declares that all men are created equal, that they all have natural rights that should not be infringed upon by a government. That a government should be made up from men and get its power from the ones that they govern. If any government fails in its purpose to protect the people’s rights, then it is up to the people to revoke and install a new government. Governments should not be changed for minor reasons, unlike the colonies who have suffered many ongoing wrongs from the King of England.…

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

    Grievances In The Declaration Of Independence
    • 166 Words
    • 1 Page

    Grievances In The Declaration Of Independence

    Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence as a ground for the separation of the colonies, when king George III refused to receive the conciliatory Olive Branch Petition and he rejected, in response he closes the trade to colonies except Great Britain, which lead to the economic declaration of independence, and political declaration of independence. The structure of the declaration has an argument that stated, ``The consent of the governed`` if they didn´t had the consent people might assert for ``life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness``, laws of nature and of nature’s God they were entitle to, therefore they should declare all causes that impel them to separation. The Grievances were directed to king George III his abuses…

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

    Cruel Treatment from the British Caused the American Revolution
    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Cruel Treatment from the British Caused the American Revolution

    The American Revolution was forced upon the Americans by the cruel treatment from the British. On May 10 of 1775 the Second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia, one month after the fighting broke out. There, delegates from each of the 13 colonies would decide on independence. A Declaration of Independence was required to state why the 13 colonies were separating from the British Empire. With this, POW's could demand to be treated as prisoners instead of traitors and aid coul d be sought from Britain's enemies. The Declaration of Independence consisted of the preamble, the middle section and a section declaring independence. The most important part, the preamble, justifies the rights of the American citizens. It declar es that "men are created equal[and]...are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." That sentence still remains a truth with the Americans today. Jefferson wrote the preamble with the help of John Locke and Rousteu. Within the preamble Jefferson writes that the people, "to secure these rights...whenever any form of government becomes destructive...it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it." It gives the people of America the freedom to impeach untrustworthy rulers and dictators if they wish to. The freedom that Thomas Jefferson gave us is still in practice today. The middle section justified why the colonists were revolting against the Britis h Empire. Here Jefferson writes that the King of Great Britain "is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations." He reminds the reader that the King has refused to allow the Governors to pass important laws "necessary for the public good," obstru cted the administration and that the king is sending over large armies to "complete the works of death." The third section officially declares independence in writing. The entire effort to complete the Declaration of Independence was done by Thomas Jefferso n, John…

    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good 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 Declaration of Independence" is one of the most defining works of American history. During the writing of the "Declaration of Independence", the Thirteen American Colonies were very busy deciding whether America should be independent or not. Some of the topics included how Britain treats the American Colonies, and whether the timing is right to depart from the rule of Great Britain. However all of this heated debate all boiled down to one inspirational document which set the course of American history. In "The Declaration of Independence", Thomas Jefferson declares that the American Colonies should abandon King George III because of the king's tyranny toward the Colonies, demolition of the colonies' right to self-rule, and neglect of the colonies needs.…

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

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Declaration Of Independence Only For Men
    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Declaration Of Independence Only For Men

    Declaration of Independence, Only for Men?: A Comparison of Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and Stanton’s Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Declaration Of Independence Essay
    • 787 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Declaration Of Independence Essay

    The Declaration clearly states everyone is “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”, which declares that all humans have certain rights that should never be compromised, but “whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it,” To justify their arguments the Colonies provide a list of 27 wrong doing the King has committed such as “ … abolishing the free System if English Laws,” , “He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws …” They state that the king has taken away their unalienable rights and “We have petitioned for Redress” ,”We have warned them …” “We have appealed to their native justice …” In defense of their rights, “We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind.” Therefore, the theme of the Declaration of Independence is that when the unalienable rights of people are threatened by the government, it is necessary to abolish…

    • 787 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Declaration of Independence
    • 768 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Declaration of Independence

    The government should represent the people’s ideas. He also agrees with Locke that “it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it” because the government should do what the majority of what the people like. During this time period, England was hurting the colonies with extra taxes and breaking promises. England was just using the colonies to make the country bigger and greater but does not really care for the colonies. For example, the Tea Act was used my Britain to make the colonies pay the British East India company that helped Britain. Therefore, Jefferson uses Locke’s argument to present a reason to break away for England. England was not doing the right thing for the colonies, so the colonies had the right to break away form the government.…

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

    The Declaration of Independence
    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Declaration of Independence

    I think Jefferson feels that the rule of government is to be aware of whether it is corrupt or not. Its their duty to throw out or establish a new or better government.…

    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Declaration Of Independence
    • 1082 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Declaration Of Independence

    Jefferson also says that the British harass people to eat up their food and starve to death. Also that they would intercept their trade ships and take all the stuff that were on the ship. There could be many reactions from the audience due to this document but to narrow it down there are a friendly and a hostile audience. I think a friendly audience would agree with the statements that Jefferson said, because the audience would also be fed up with all of the violence. But on another hand the hostile audience would not like what Jefferson says because it is going against what they want to hear. The hostile group would also become very defensive and are going to argue with your beliefs and what you think should be done. But…

    • 1082 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Declaration of Independence
    • 339 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence essentially stated that the social contract that the colony of America had with the government of Great Britain was no longer valid. And, this is in the very first sentence. The social contract that was reflected in the Declaration was as a sign of enforcing Democracy.|Natural rights are rights not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of any particular culture or government, and therefore universal and inalienable rights. Individual rights are rights held by individual people; even if they are group-differentiated, what most rights are, they remain individual rights if the right-holders are the individuals themselves.|The only problem with the Declaration of Independence is the "all men are created equal" line. If they had meant "men" to be generic and apply to all people, it would be ok, but they clearly didn't. They didn't give women the right to vote or anything…

    • 339 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Reflection On Declaration Of Independence
    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Reflection On Declaration Of Independence

    On Monday April 5th 1999, I had come into the world. If you had asked me then what my opinion of the Declaration of Independence was, I wouldn't be able to come up with a clear nor concise answer, which would be due to the fact that I was only a few hours old and most likely still wailing out uncontrollably. After fifteen years of living in this 'just' society, I have come to a conclusion on how I feel about Thomas Jefferson had written so many years ago. We, as a society, have failed the goals that our founding fathers wished for us to achieve. With each passing day, we are growing farther away from the ideals laid out in the Declaration of Independence.…

    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics