Throughout the Declaration of Independe
Throughout the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson uses several rhetorical appeals. He demonstrates ethos, pathos, as well as logos as he demonstrates the need for being independent.
Firstly, he uses logos. The entire first paragraph is telling the readers why this declaration of independence needs to made in the first place. He states that there is a time when a society needs to break away from its past leader (Britain) and rely on the powers of God and the earth to create a new community. He is using logic to help his readers understand the meaning of this document. He continues to use logos in explaining why this declaration is important as he explains that it will “secure these rights,” which pertain to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Another time, logos is used in the declaration is when Jefferson is addressing all the wrongs the King of Britain did, and he lists them very methodically as facts. He presents his evidence very logically so that everyone can understand it.
Thomas Jefferson also appeals to pathos. When he states, in the second paragraph, “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,” he is able to convey the anguish that the 13 colonies have experienced, and how they need to break free from Britain. As a reader, I found this sentence very powerful, and I’m sure when it was written, it was even more so, seeing as the writers/readers were the ones experiencing the suffering. Another place that Jefferson appealed to pathos was in the last sentence. He says, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” By showing how much everyone is willing to sacrifice (lives, fortunes, and honor), it illustrates the amount of heart and passion that went into this document.
In my opinion, Thomas
Firstly, he uses logos. The entire first paragraph is telling the readers why this declaration of independence needs to made in the first place. He states that there is a time when a society needs to break away from its past leader (Britain) and rely on the powers of God and the earth to create a new community. He is using logic to help his readers understand the meaning of this document. He continues to use logos in explaining why this declaration is important as he explains that it will “secure these rights,” which pertain to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Another time, logos is used in the declaration is when Jefferson is addressing all the wrongs the King of Britain did, and he lists them very methodically as facts. He presents his evidence very logically so that everyone can understand it.
Thomas Jefferson also appeals to pathos. When he states, in the second paragraph, “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,” he is able to convey the anguish that the 13 colonies have experienced, and how they need to break free from Britain. As a reader, I found this sentence very powerful, and I’m sure when it was written, it was even more so, seeing as the writers/readers were the ones experiencing the suffering. Another place that Jefferson appealed to pathos was in the last sentence. He says, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” By showing how much everyone is willing to sacrifice (lives, fortunes, and honor), it illustrates the amount of heart and passion that went into this document.
In my opinion, Thomas