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).
He organized his phrases closely in ways that caught the audience’s attention. Overall, Jefferson managed to construct a successful persuasive document that inspired action within his people. The document itself is considered a straightforward piece, which did three main things: proclaim a case for revolution, inform of the colonies specific grievances, and declare the colonies independent (Hole). Jefferson wrote with his own unique style. He was very direct when writing, and wrote in a way that everyone could understand his argument. A large portion of the document is a long list of grievances against King George and is an attempt by Jefferson to justify the colonies decision to depart from the British. (“The Declaration…” 146). The list is also considered an exclamation point upon the unalienable rights mentioned in the introduction (Ravoke 22). Jefferson wrote with so much emotion, that he was easily able to persuade the audience. Overall, the document holds the principles of human rights. Jefferson’s primary goal was to coax the colonist to advocate for the colonies independence with the incorporation of different persuasive techniques.
The use of rhetorical devices is crucial for a persuasive document, and with the incorporation of numerous devices within the document, Jefferson appealed to the audience's logic, and emotions.
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.
Furthermore, Jefferson shows how credible and reasonable the revolutionaries are in asking to depart from their mother country. He then continues his reasoning by stating, ¨Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government¨ (Jefferson 242). By including this, he shows that the abuses had been taking place for a long period of time, and that the time has come where they have to revolt against the injustices. After announcing the necessity of separation, Jefferson begins his long list of grievances. He states, “He has refused...He has forbidden...He has endeavored...”(Jefferson 242). In doing this, Jefferson uses a form of parallelism by beginning each grievance with “he.” Moreover, the negative connotation words that follow show that they have been stripped of their rights and that change is within the government necessary. However, the list does not terminate there. Jefferson continues his list but now with a different beginning phrase stating:
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world; For imposing taxes on us without our consent; For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury; For transporting us beyond the seas, to be tried for pretended offenses; For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighbouring province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government… (Jefferson 243).
Similar to other phrases within the document, Jefferson also uses a repetitive parallel structure to emphasize all of the king’s injustices. This long list of grievances provides proof to the world of every single one of the king’s wrongdoings, and presents a sense of urgency to depart from the grips of an abusive dictator. After providing a list of grievances, Jefferson shows how tolerant the colonies have been by stating, “We have warned… We have reminded…”(Jefferson 244). Again, by using a form of parallelism, Jefferson highlights how the colonies have tried to take a nonviolent approach to the situation, and is able to heighten the ethical appeal. Overall, the use of the many rhetorical devices create an effective argument, which resulted in the popular document that inspired action throughout the world. Not only was the document a success, it was also considered one of the most crucial documents in American history.
“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
persuasive document, and inspire his audience to revolt against the British government.