Name ______Date ______

American Literature {ELAAMLITRL 1-4}The Declaration of Independence

Directions: Read the Declaration of Independence(pg. 112) completely before addressing the points and questions listed below. Peruse them before your second reading to help guide your understanding.

  1. The Declaration can be divided into five sections—the introduction, the preamble (explanation of purpose), the charges against George III, the criticism of the British people, and the conclusion. Note where each section begins and ends. You don’t have to write anything down for this part.
  1. A cumulative or loose sentence adds it modifying elements after the subject, verb and complement; whereas a periodic sentence expresses its modifying elements first, revising the main point until the end. The first paragraph of the Declaration consists of one lengthy sentence.

a.) Which type of sentence is it?

b.) Why is this type of sentence effective in this case?

  1. a.) Describe the tone in the first paragraph.

b.) Why do authors avoid specifying the conflict between Britain and the Americans—referring instead to “one People” dissolving political ties with “another”?

c.) What is the antecedent of the pronouns “they” and “them”?

d.) Consider the implications of the words, “necessary” and “declare” as well as the diction related to humankind and spirituality. How does this opening paragraph convey the nature of the American’s motivation for independence?

  1. Even though they are not specified, how and why does the first paragraph establish a clear separation between the Americans and the British?
  1. The second section, the preamble (ending with “…their future Security.”), also does not specify the conflict between Britain and American.

a.) Describe the tone.

b.) What specificdiction(words) help create the tone.

c.) Why don’t they mention the conflict yet?

  1. In the first two sections, the only sentence written with a pronoun in first-person is the first sentence of section two, “We hold these Truths…” The rest of the sentences have third-person subjects and objects.

a.) To whom does “we” refer”?

b.) Why are the first two sections primarily written in third-person point of view?

  1. a.) Describe the parallel syntax of the first sentence in the second section.

b.) Define the technique/s used.

c.) Discuss the effect of the progression of thought conveyed in the clauses.

  1. In the second section, how does the Declaration specifically providejustification for the abolishment of American ties with Britain?
  1. The third section begins, “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”.

How does this sentence provide a transition to the next section?

  1. Look at the facts (logos) provided for declaring independence (they are listed in a rather lengthy paragraph).

a.) Why would the authors of the Declaration feel the need to “prove this” by providing “Facts”?

b.) What is the antecedent of the pronoun “this”?

c.) What is meant by a “candid world”?

d.) Why do they introduce the grievances with a short, periodic sentence?

e.) Why use passive voice, obscuring the subject? In other words, why not specify who is going to submit these “Facts”?

  1. Loaded language is language with profound connotations, usually employed to evoke an emotional response from the audience, to appeal to pathos. Even though the authors of the Declaration were careful to avoid sounding overly emotional, they did incorporate some loaded diction into the document. For example, in one of the grievances, the word “plunder” implies that the people “plundered” were helpless, overcome by an excessively powerful aggressor.

a.)Find three other examples of diction that you consider loaded.

b) Write the words and provide their connotations.

  1. Notice the use of anaphora throughout the list of grievances, the repetition of “he has” and “for” at the begging of successive sentences (or clauses). How does this parallel structure and repetition impact the effectiveness of this document?
  1. List five words (diction) and/or phrases that make the British king and Parliament appear guilty of a great injustice.
  1. List five words (diction) and/or phrases that make the American colonists appear justified in their revolution against and separation from Britain.
  1. The next to last paragraph states the rights that the colonies now have as independent states. The tone becomes more forceful and assertive, richer in emotion. What diction (words) does Jefferson use in the first sentence of this paragraph to gain the confidence and good will of the people?
  1. a.) How does the fourth section transition to the conclusion?

b.) What is the purpose of the conclusion?

  1. What diction (words) contribute to the strong emotional effect of the last line?
  1. Find three examples of Aristotelian appeals in the document (logos, pathos, ethos) that have not already been discussed in this assignment.

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