The Declaration of Independence Flashcards
Jefferson included the second paragraph in the text to —
outline the political philosophy of government as seen by Jefferson
Read the following sentence from paragraph 2 of the selection.
That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
As used in this sentence, what does the word unalienable mean?
There are certain natural privileges all people have that cannot be taken away.
Which phrase from paragraph 2 helps the reader understand the meaning of the word prudence in paragraph 2?
should not be changed for light and transient causes
The list of complaints in the selection helps to reinforce the author’s argument by —
providing evidence of poor treatment of the colonists by the British government
Read the following sentence from paragraph 26 of the document.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
This sentence is an example of —
pathos in that Jefferson is appealing to the emotion of the reader
The author included paragraph 31 to —
state that the colonists have reached out to British citizens for support
Jefferson included paragraph 33 to —
formally pledge the independence of the colonies from the British
Is the argument that all men are created equal fallacious or not
Yes.
Is the argument that governments exist to serve the people fallacious or not
No
Is the argument that the king is solely responsible for colonial unrest fallacious or not
Yes
Is the argument that the complaint that the British people did not do enough fallacious or not
Yes
Which two sentences describe who Jefferson’s intended audience is and how he uses the elements of an argumentative essay to reach them?
To appeal to the colonists, Jefferson presents a logical explanation of the purpose of government
in the Preamble.
and
To convince the colonists, Jefferson lists each instance in which the British have undermined their rights.
The tone of the passage can best be described as —
rational by presenting the argument for independence using a logical progression of ideas
Which characteristics of an argumentative essay are found in the Declaration of Independence? Cite examples from the selection to support your answer.
The text has a clear thesis statement found in the Preamble, “We hold these truths to be self-evident:—That all men are created equal.” It includes evidence to support the thesis as seen in the colonists’ list of grievances against the king and the British people. The text also has a conclusion that not only reemphasizes the main idea (when a government no longer serves the people, the people have a right to do away with it), but also contains a strong declaration that the colonists are seeking their independence. They “solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States.”
How does Jefferson use repetition to help him make his argument for American independence? Cite evidence from the selection to support your response.
The most prominent use of repetition in the document is in the list of grievances, which makes up the main body of the text. In the document, Jefferson refers to the King only as “He” but begins each statement with “He has” or “He is.” The effect as the list progresses is to reinforce the idea that the King is responsible for the current state of unrest, while also emphasizing the numerous wrongs done to the colonists.
