Declaration of Independenceby Thomas Jefferson

Page 238

Literature Quiz 3

• In your opinion, why is Jefferson writing this document? What is it’s purpose?

Text Analysis: Argument

• An argument expresses an opinion on an issue and supports it with reasons and evidence. Beginning with a claim, the writer’s position on the subject, an argument needs the support of reasons and evidence to prove its claim. A second argument anticipates opposing views and provides counterarguments or counterclaims as evidence against them.

Reading Skill: Analyze Text Structure

• The Declaration of Independence has four main sections:

• A preamble, or foreword, that announces the reason for the document

• A declaration of people’s natural rights and relationship to government

• A long list of complaints against George III, the British king

• A conclusion that formally states America’s Independence

Discuss

• Think of several situations in which an individual or a group rebelled against a perceived injustice.

• Evaluate the reasons for each rebellion, and explain which ones you think are justified.

Discuss

• P. 240

• According to the document, what rights do people have that cannot be taken away? From whom did they receive these rights? Should these rights be universal?

• How do governments get their power?

• When do people have the right to form a new government?

Discuss

• P. 242

• What opposing claim does jeffersonanticipates in lines 15-22? What counterargument does he make at the end of this paragraph, and what does he say he is about to do?

• Why might the list of complaints make up the largest part of the four-part structure?

Discuss

• P. 243

• Text Structure: How does Jefferson’s use of parallelism and paragraph structure contribute to the persuasive impact of these lines?

• Why do the colonies oppose quartering the king’s troops?

• Why do they oppose the king’s taxes?

• Why do they oppose parliament making laws for them?

Discuss

• P. 244

• Reread lines 95-104

• Notice how Jefferson uses the first-person plural pronouns we and our to identify with his audience and to inspire unity of purpose. Examine Jefferson's diction, or use of words. How does the language of these closing paragraphs support the writer’s inspirational tone or attitude toward the idea of Independence?

Discuss

• P. 244

• What do they say about their ties to Great Britain?

• What do the United colonies declare to the world?

• What powers of government do they claim for their independent state?

Discuss

• Which of the several reasons Jefferson gave as justification for the rebellion do you consider the most important or the most justified?

Recall & Clarify

• Recall: Name three complaints that the colonists had against the king.

• Recall: What rights are specified in the Declaration?

• Clarify: What does Jefferson say is the purpose of government?

• Clarify: According to the Declaration, who gives people their rights?

Evaluate Elements of an Argument

• Identify the major claim and the support given in the Declaration. In your opinion, is the support sufficient for the claim? Does it have to be?

Historical Context

• Jefferson’s celebrated statement ”All men are created equal” only applied to white men at the time. How has the meaning of Jefferson’s statement changed over time? How has it stayed the same?

Vocabulary

a. Abdicateb. Redressc. Despotismd. Impele. Mercenaryf. Perfidy

a. V. to give up responsibility for

b. N. the correction of a noun

c. N. government by a ruler with unlimited power

d. V. to drive forward; forcee. N. a professional soldier

hired to fight in a forgeinarmy

f. N. treachery

Homework

• Using the same parallelism method that The Declaration of Independence employed, write your reasons for rebelling against something. 1-page. Must use parallelism in the same method taught in class. For example, “They have . . . They have . . . For taking away . . . For alienating . . . “ A minimum of eight reasons must be given. Each reason must be, at minimum, two lines.