The Declaration of Independence- Unit 2
Who is responsible to protect these rights ?
The government.
Affected
(v.) to cause or influence
invest
(v.) to grant or endow
4-What is an unalienable right? What are these rights as Jefferson mentioned?
An alienable right is right that cannot be taken away. these rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What does Jefferson say in the conclusion of the document?
He says that the colonies declare themselves free & independent.
The purpose :
Jefferson wants all people to know that the colonies in North America have the right to be independent from great Britain , and that hey are asserting that right.
Mark words in paragraph 2 that state his thesis?
"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends , it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government."
Counterarguments.
claims against Jeffersons proposal
what are pathos?
emotional appeals to the reader.
What details in paragraph 2 present justification for this thesis?
governments exist to secure peoples rights.
Jefferson uses two phrases with parallel structure.
the use of parallel phrases makes it clear that the two actions of equal importance.
how did the colonists respond to the king's actions
they petitioned for redress
About the author:
•Born on April 13, 1743 in Virginia to a wealthy family. • •He was very well educated. Attended The College of William & Mary. • •Served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. • •Eloquent correspondent, but not good public speaker • •Known as the "silent member" of the Congress • •Was unanimously chosen by the Committee of Five to prepare a draft of the Declaration alone.
4 Parts of the Declaration of Independence
•Preamble •Declaration of Natural Rights •List of Grievances •Resolution of Independence
How does this parallel structure strengthen his argument against the king?
it emphasizes how many things the king has done to the colonists & it helps the reader keep track of the argument.
How it could affect the colonists to have the military be superior to the civil authorities.
The colonists cannot defend themselves against the military and that is because of injustice, violence, and overreach.
how does Jefferson use the colonists' actions to rebut the counterargument that declaring independence is a rash decision.?
The colonists have patiently & repeatedly petitioned for help and redress but all they got is more injury. This shows that hey have not been rash at all .
Purpose
To show why the colonies were revolting against Britain and Declaring their Independence from Great Britain and that they are asserting that right
parallel structure
is the use of similar grammatical constructions to express ideas that are closely related equal in importance.
Abdicate
(v.) to relinquish or cede responsibility for.
What is the genre?
A Public Document. It provides information about public concerns and interest. it also has an attempt of persuasion along with a sophisticated tone. it may include speeches, signs, government documents, and rules and regulations.
Established
(v.) to formally set up; institute
Jefferson warns against changing an existing government and establishing a new one. Explain the advantage of maintaining an established government.
Advantages include the insurance and stability of the people and order. It also allows people to be able to have their rights.
redress
to set right
Draw Conclusions How does the structure of Jefferson's argument support his purpose? Consider elements such as evidence and a call to action in your response.
Jefferson begins with his purpose, provides evidence in support of his purpose ( ways the king has mistreated the colonists, unfair laws the king has imposed on the colonies, ways the colonists have tried to solve problems with England without success), and concludes that he United States now considers itself a free nation. Jefferson's call to action includes a reference to reliance on god & a pledge of everyone's lives, fortunes, and honor.
Analyze A logical appeal is a method of argument based on evidence and reasons. Choose an example of a logical appeal in the Declaration and explain how it supports the thesis.
Jeffersons list of self-evident truths- all are created equal , all have unalienable rights, governments should secure those rights-support his thesis that people have the right to over turn a government that doesn't respect heir rights.
How do these examples of his syntax strengthen his argument?
Repetition helps the reader understand Jefferson's argument because we can easily keep track of the argument because he starts each paragraph with the same phrase, so we focus on what the king has done.
What is the thesis of the declaration of independence?
That people have the right to liberty, life, & the pursuit of happiness. If the government fails to secure these rights, then the people have the right to alter or abolish it. (overthrow it).
Evaluate Jefferson's list of complaints makes up the largest part of his structure. How does this structure contribute to his argument? How does it support his thesis? Support your response with evidence from the text.
The list of complaints emphasizes the grievances & the effects of the king's actions on the colonies. it supports the claim that the colonies are justified in eradicating tyranny.
How did King George abdicate his role?
by being a despotic king who did things including increasing the military power, departing colonists, & destroying their land.
Declaration of Natural Rights
•Second part of the Declaration of Independence •Lists the rights of the citizens •Explains that in a republic, the government is there to protect the rights of the people •Jefferson calls these rights UNALIENABLE rights, which means they can never be taken away •These ideas are taken from the Enlightenment thinker, John Locke who said people have natural rights like life, liberty, and property. •Government's job is to protect the rights of the people •Governments should get their power from the people they govern. •If a government is not protecting the people's rights the people have the right AND obligation to overthrow that government and start a new one.
Remember...
1.Main idea of Declaration of Independence and Constitution - governments should be based on the consent of the governed 2.Declaration of Independence states that people have the right to overthrow an oppressive government 3.The main purpose of the Declaration is to justify the colonists' revolt against England 4.First man to sign Declaration - John Hancock 5.John Locke contributed to the Declaration
.Analyze How does the syntax in paragraph 2 add to the persuasiveness of Jefferson's argument? Cite at least two examples in your response.
The use of the phrase " to secure these rights" directly connects the purpose of the government to the unalienable rights identified in the first sentence (Life, Liberty, & Pursuit of happiness). The use of the two short phrases together " it is their right" , " it is their duty" adds emphasis to what follows.
Resolution of Independence
•Final part of the Declaration of Independence •Declares that the colonies are "Free and Independent States" •Includes the signatures of the signers of the Declaration of Independence •These states have the power to: -Declare war -Trade with other countries -Form alliances
PREAMBLE
•First part of the Declaration of Independence •Introduction •Explains why the Continental Congress wrote the Declaration of Independence When it is necessary for people to separate from their government, these people need to tell others the reasons why they are separating.
Enlightenment
•Jefferson used the Enlightenment ideas of JOHN LOCKE -People are born with certain natural rights: life, liberty and property -People form governments to protect these rights -If governments interfere with these rights, the people have the right to OVERTHROW them
Characteristics of an Argumentative text.
1. a clear thesis or central idea 2. reasons and evidence to support the thesis 3. logical and emotional appeals to the readers or audience. 4. a convincing conclusion that sums up important ideas 5. a call to action that encourages the audience to something.
List of Grievances
•Third part of the Declaration of Independence •List of the colonists' complaints with England. The body explains the abuses that the colonies have suffered and the efforts they exerted to bring about a change in attitude toward them. •They specifically blame King George III •There are 28 grievances( usurpations), or complaints, that are listed in the Declaration of Independence •Here are some of the complaints: -British soldiers in colonies without permission -Quartering British troops in the colonies -Not punishing these troops when they harm colonists -Cutting off the colonists' trade with the rest of the world -Taxing the colonists without their permission
Is the declaration of independence a good example of an argumentative test? WHY?
Yes because it included all characteristics of an argumentative text. The parts of this argumentative text. He started with the preamble in which he mentioned the purpose of this document which is.... Then he stated the thesis statement that outlined the political philosophy of the government which is, whenever the government fails to protect or secure the colonists' sights ( liberty- life- pursuit of happiness) , They have the right to overthrow it. Then He stated some evidence that supports his ideas as he wrote a list of grievances and usurpations that the colonists suffered from and he charges King George the King of Britain(pathos ( evoking pity \sadness) showing that Jefferson is appealing to the emotion of the reader) . He talked about the efforts the colonies exerted to bring a change ( they reached to British citizens for support ). He includes logical and emotional appeals to the audience. Then he ends up with a convincing conclusion that sums up the whole document and it includes a call to action. The colonies declare themselves justified in declaration themselves free and independent states. ( pledge independence)
What is the tone of the document?
Rational, determined , direct, confident, logical order of ideas.
List four grievances against the King.
1.For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us. 2. for cutting off our trade with the rest of the world. 3. for imposing taxes on us without our consent. 4. for depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury.
What is the structure of the Declaration of Independence ?
It is divided into four sections: 1. A preamble: that announces the reason for the document 2. a declaration of peoples rights. 3. the presentation of evidence and responses to Jeffersons counterarguments 4.a conclusion that states the desired action
How does Jefferson's use of "ought" in this call to action relate to the thesis?
Jefferson says that citizens ought to through of the bad government.
what is Body of the document about?
The abuses the colonies have suffered from & efforts they exerted to bring about a change in the attitude towards them. Having failed in these efforts, the document lists the repeated injuries & usurpations. it also lists its charges against the present king of Britain.
Evaluate In the final paragraph, what tone is created by Jefferson's use of the word all several times, as well as the phrase totally dissolved?
The repetition of the word " all" & the use of " totally dissolved " contribute to the power & persuasiveness of the document. These words help create a tone, that is direct , confident, & determined.
Background
•July 4, 1776 - Declaration of Independence is adopted by Congress, John Hancock was the first person to sign it •August 2, 1776 - Declaration of Independence is signed by 50 present members of Congress, Franklin remarks "We must all hang together or we shall hang separately."
Mark examples of parallelism.
In the introduction, Jefferson mentioned the purpose of writing the declaration of independence & the natural rights of the colonists. He also said that if the government to protect these rights the colonists have the right to abolish it.
How do the examples of Jefferson's syntax strengthen his argument.?
They emphasize how many things the king had done to take way the rights of the colonies.
Syntax
the arrangement of words to express and emphasize ideas.
give an example of pathos in the document
the list of grievances against the king.
