Fictitious Nation
The fictional place in Activity 1 where colonists wanted independence.
Homelandia
The author of the Declaration of Independence.
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
The appeal to logic and reasoning Jefferson uses.
What is logos?
The “break-up letter” represents this historical document.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration’s “self-evident truths” describe these rights.
What are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Homelandia’s main problem according to the colonists.
What is unfair laws and taxes without representation?
The document’s overall purpose.
What is to explain why the colonies were declaring independence from Britain?
The appeal to credibility or ethics.
What is ethos?
One rhetorical device students must include in their letter.
What is ethos, pathos, or logos (any one)?
The audience Jefferson wanted to convince besides the king.
What is the world / other nations?
One fear of becoming independent mentioned in the scenario.
What is not having an army or navy to protect themselves?
The closing pledge made by the signers.
What is “our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor”?
The emotional appeal that stirs pride and sympathy.
What is pathos?
The repeated phrase students modernize in their letters.
What is “He has…”?
The reason Jefferson begins with logic instead of emotion.
What is to make the argument sound rational and credible?
The “king” of Homelandia represents this historical figure.
Who is King George III?
The famous line about equality and rights.
What is “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”?
The effect of repeating “He has…” throughout the document.
What is to emphasize the king’s repeated abuses and build momentum?
The purpose of writing the modern break-up letter.
What is to show understanding of Jefferson’s ideas using modern language?
The document’s overall tone.
What is formal, confident, and persuasive?
The purpose of Activity 1 – The Big Break-Up.
What is to help you the understand the Declaration of Independence?
The section listing specific complaints against the king.
What is the List of Grievances?
The tone shift Jefferson uses from beginning to end.
What is calm → angry → determined?
The author's use of specific words to create a sense of urgency.
Diction (word choice)
The message the colonies send at the very end.
What is that they are free and independent states?