Miscellaneous
The Declaration was adopted by the Continental Congress on this date.
What is July 4, 1776?
This rhetorical appeal is strongest in the Statement of Beliefs, as Jefferson appeals to fairness and logic.
What is logos?
The Declaration’s most famous line begins, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created…” what?
What is equal?
The Declaration accuses the king of “absolute despotism,” with “despotism” meaning this form of government.
What is tyranny?
The long list of grievances against King George III creates this accusatory tone.
What is a critical or condemning tone?
Jefferson asserts that all men are created equal and have these specific unalienable rights.
What are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
By opening with a calm, rational justification, the Preamble establishes this rhetorical quality that strengthens credibility.
What is ethos?
One grievance was that the king kept these “standing” in the colonies even during peacetime.
What are armies?
The “unalienable” rights in the Declaration are rights that cannot be what?
What is cannot be taken away?
Warning against changing government for “light and transient causes” strikes this careful tone.
What is cautious (or prudent)?
Jefferson argues that people have not only the right but the duty to do this when government becomes destructive.
What is alter or abolish it?
This structural strategy—repeating “He has…” before each complaint—creates emphasis through this rhetorical device.
What is anaphora?
Colonists resented being taxed without this.
What is taxation without representation?
Jefferson uses this word to affirm that the colonists are cautious and utilizing careful judgment before taking action.
What is prudence?
The repeated phrase “He has” creates this tone toward King George III.
What is enraged and accusatory?
The Declaration mixes reason, credibility, and passion in an effort to do what?
What is persuade or convince their audience?
Jefferson appeals to emotion, or this rhetorical strategy, when he describes the King’s “absolute tyranny.”
What is pathos?
Jefferson says people should not change governments for “light and transient” causes. Instead, they should only change government for this.
What is serious or repeated abuses (absolute despotism)?
“Redress” in the Declaration means this.
What is remedy (or correction)?
The conclusion’s overall tone blends courage with this feeling, appealing to the group of colonists as a whole and saying"we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
What is unifying?
The Declaration appeals to the “Supreme Judge of the world,” showing reliance on this.
What is divine providence (or God/God’s authority)?
The Declaration often stirs emotions by portraying colonists as victims of cruelty; this is an appeal to…
What is Pathos?
Colonists said the king refused to give his approval, or assent, to these.
What are wholesome and necessary laws?
The Declaration appeals to the “rectitude of our intentions.” “Rectitude” means this.
What is moral righteousness (or integrity)?
In the Preamble (introduction) of the DoI, Jefferson outlines this line of reasoning for the purpose of governments.
What is: governments are created to protect the rights of people. The British government has failed to protect these rights, therefore the colonists have the right to revolt or abolish it?