The Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis

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Thomas Jefferson created a mastery of word precision in writing the Declaration of Independence. The document, although having over 1300 words, is economical in its verse by enlisting the use of descriptive and connotative language throughout. In the Declaration, Jefferson readily charges King George III of tyranny, the Kings’ government of despotism and their British brethren of ignoring their pleas, while subtly appealing to the world for empathy and understanding in their predicament. The Declaration of Independence is not only Jefferson’s formal announcement of freedom from British rule, but also his justification for the birth of a new Nation. Breaking the document down into sections, you can see how Jefferson so eloquently persuaded …show more content…

Jefferson powerfully pushes the “long train of abuses and usurpations” made against the colonists center stage, therefore making it an issue that the King can no longer ignore. Following the introduction is the Preamble. The preamble provides readers with precise connotations that unequivocally state the premise of the document and the colonists’ viewpoint on government and natural rights. This 227-word paragraph is replete with masterful connotations; positive when noting the colonists’ “self-evident” truths, like “all men are created equal”, and “endowed with unalienable Rights”, and negative when speaking of the “absolute despotism” they’re being reduced to under the Kings rule. Jefferson movingly tugs at readers’ emotions and provides an answer to how a people should react to a tyrannical government: “it is their right, their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future …show more content…

For the first time Jefferson outwardly places the “King of Great Britain” and “absolute Tyranny” within the same sentence. Jefferson lauds the Colonists’ “patient sufferance” against “repeated injuries and usurpations” and overtly points to the conclusion of needing to “alter their former Systems of Government” due of such injury. To further his agenda, Jefferson provides a list of 28 facts “to a candid world”, or in other words, to everyone – other than the colonists living it – that are not biased towards the British crown. In reading through these 28 accusations/grievances today, it is difficult to truly understand exactly what was meant due to the composition of the writing. However, it is notable that these facts are somehow arranged in a meaningful way. The first ten delineate the Kings abuse of his executive powers towards the colonies. Jefferson poignantly notes the Kings refusal to “Assent to Laws” and his obstruction of justice because of such. Jefferson also points out the Kings dissolution of Representative houses simply for opposing his invasions on the people’s rights. The next five facts describe the Kings actions with regards to armies and military power. Jefferson plainly states the unfairness of foreign armies subjecting them to “a jurisdiction foreign” to their constitution, by the Kings’ order and having said armies take as they please and not be

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