How Does Jefferson Use Syntax In The Declaration Of Independence

In the beginning, Jefferson claims the fundamental beliefs and goes on to explain that the government is to protect the rights of the people; when the government fails to do so the people have the ability to modify it (Jefferson 770). He then discusses how the British government has taken the rights of the colonists and logic urges them to conclude that they have no other choice but to overthrow the totalitarian government (Jefferson 770). These strong claims help build logos by convincing the colonists to stand up for themselves and their rights. Jefferson then goes on to list the evidence and ways in which the British government, especially the king, has deprived and trampled on the colonist’s rights (Jefferson 771-772). This evidence helps illustrate the logical appeal by opening the citizen’s eyes about their rights and why they should stand up for them. Jefferson’s logical appeal is persuasive with the use of claims and evidence, which successfully allows him to achieve his purpose of persuading the thirteen colonies to break away from

On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies of the United States unanimously agreed upon a Declaration of Independence to free themselves of Britain’s tyrannical grasp. This Declaration, authored by Thomas Jefferson, had one sole purpose: to declare the colonies as independent from Britain. To do this successfully, Jefferson skillfully utilized multiple aspects of rhetoric to convey his message. Among the many aspects he uses, the most prominent are his use of tone and pathos, logos and ethos, and makes many stylistic choices throughout the document.

Jefferson uses logos and pathos to convey the idea that the colonies should separate themselves from the English throne. Jefferson establishes himself as a colonist while also justifying the colonist's position. He points out that “Laws of Nature... impel them to the separation” (Jefferson 575-576). Thomas Jefferson must provide viable evidence for separation because the colonists do not have the weapons, allies, or trade connections essential to war. Jefferson states that he has a "decent respect for the opinion of mankind" (576). This establishes his credibility and his openness to other ideas. The idea of freedom from a repressive government a “right of the people” exemplifies Jefferson's use of logical appeals (576). This reassurance to the colonists is important while establishing his credibility.

This reluctant conclusion becomes evident when Jefferson states, “ [The colonists] repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.” (lines 111-112). Furthermore Jefferson lists recent actions of the colonists through saying, “We have warned them...We have reminded them...We have appealed...We have conjured them,” (lines 116-120) to give his audience further evidence to why the United Colonies must and will become “Free and Independent States,” (line 136). States with the “full Power to levy war, conclude Peace, contract alliances, establish Commerce, and do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right to do.” (lines 136-139). As Jefferson comes to his reluctant conclusion he also enhances his

1. Thomas Jefferson explains the reason for a formal Declaration of Independence why stating the causes which impel them to separation. This is done because, according to Jefferson, without proper reasoning you cannot honestly request separation from a nation; “…a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” I do believe it was necessary for Jefferson to do so because it gives insight on the colonial minds at the time. The first reason why I believe this was necessary is because many other nations other than Britain were interested in America at the time. Examples of interested settlers included France and other European nations. Independence would have backed up the competition and officially had America as a solid nation. Another reason why I believe this was necessary is because Jefferson knew that he could plead a solid case as he came from a lawyer background. This means that he knew how to form arguments as if he were pleading for the jury of the world. In conclusion, for these reasons is why it was necessary for Jefferson to state the “causes” which impel them to separation.

When looking at the Declaration of Independence and the justifications which Jefferson used in order to encourage the dissolve of the ties between the United Colonies and Great Britain, it becomes apparent how much of the theories of John Locke that Jefferson used as the basis for his argument. Focusing particularly on the second paragraph of the Declaration, the arguments for the equality of each man and the formation and destruction of governments come almost directly from Locke's Second Treatise of Government. The other arguments in the Declaration of Independence deal primarily with each citizen's rights and the natural freedoms of all men, two areas that Locke also spent

A founder of American Democracy, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, a man beyond his time. He was also a landowner, farmer, and most incongruously amongst his other accolades, a slave owner. Studied and scrutinized today, Jefferson’s ethical motives are ambiguous enough to be debated. Douglas L. Wilson in Jefferson and the Character Issue and Paul Finkelman with Jefferson and Slavery: Treason Against the Hopes of the World discuss the notion of whether Jefferson conformed to his own moral standard set by his writing of the Declaration of Independence or was privately hypocritical by continuing his ownership of slaves. In comparison, both authors succeed where the other fails, Jefferson must be evaluated against his true peers and have the full breadth of his motives discussed.

One reason that The Declaration of Independence was so influential was that Thomas Jefferson’s claims against the King of England were easy to understand and logical. Typical complaints include “For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us;” and “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.” Jefferson uses plain language that everyone can understand to point out large injustices done by the king. His statements about the King are short and to the point. He does not waste any words or bore the reader with abstract writing or excess words and thoughts. He goes from one point to the next to the next in such a fashion that the reader’s concentration is never broken. His points are logical and everyone living in the colonies at that time and many people around the world probably had some idea of the incidents behind all his grievances against the king. Jefferson raps up the injustices done by the king by declaring the United Colonies to be free and independent states.

Then, in 1778 Jefferson's introduced a law making slave trading illegal (Jefferson's Monticello 2). He got slavery transport decreased which make slavery usage less in America. This was one of the first steps that eventually made Jefferson live up to his promises in the Declaration of Independence and get rid of slavery. Thomas Jefferson said, “wolf by the ears”. This shows that you should let go of the wolf but if you let it go it's going to attack you (Miller 43). He's referring to slavery here and says that they should get rid of slavery because if you do it will hurt America tremendously. Later, in 1784 he tried to ban slavery in the Northwest Territory (Jefferson's Monticello 2). When Jefferson's tired to do this it didn’t work. He wanted to live up to his promises of everyone having life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but he failed when the law wasn’t passed.

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, explains to his readers why the colonies chose to abolish Great Britain’s government. His goal is to inform the readers that the government has certain responsibilities to the governed and that the British failed to adhere to its responsibilities to its colonists. His second goal is to justify their actions by explaining why it was not considered treason. By establishing his credibility and appealing to ethos, pathos and logos, Jefferson successfully wrote an informative, impactful, and inspirational document.

Jefferson began the document by explaining that the rights of the Americans had been brutally molested by the unjust King of Britain. Following this accusation, he provided evidence of this abuse by listing not just a mere handful, but 27 grievances that the King had inflicted against the colonies. Lastly, the conclusion of this article publishes and declares that the United Colonies have the right to be freed from the British and that they have the right to govern themselves as any free country does. The strategic organization of the Declaration of Independence allowed the colonies to be powerfully represented by such a clear and prudently worded

After justifying the break with Britain, Jefferson wrote the veering of the rights of an Englishman to the rights of mankind. To forever change the meaning of freedom for the colonies, he reached all individuals who could now seek happiness and self-fulfillment which was to become the fundamental component of American freedom.

Jefferson’s purpose for writing the Declaration of Independence was to separate from Great Britain and they need someone to articulate why the Americans were breaking away. The main purpose of this Document was so that Americans can get their

Jefferson relates to this tragic event that happen to colonist because when the colonist remembers what happened, it will hurt them and make them come into realization of all the harm that Britain has done to them. Jefferson also uses these emotions of the people to build up anger, and make them rebel against the British. He also states that “the present King of Great Britain is a history of injuries”. Jefferson is trying to say that King George III is a king who only brought harm, even in the past. This means that the king will continue to harm them no matter how many years pass by, and the best solution is they get separated from them. This is why Jefferson uses these reasons as an argument towards the loyalist in why we shouldn’t let Britain take control of them, after all the harm they have committed towards them.

In The Declaration of Independence, a “common and decent respect for humanity compels that group of People to clearly and publicly declare their reasons which have forced them to end the relationship in question” (Jefferson 1). In 1776, delegates from the American colonies were upset at with the King due to the bad decisions he made for colonies. The American Colonies met to declare independence and to get equal rights. Thomas jefferson was an american statesman, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He later served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809. Thomas Jefferson’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos in the Declaration of independence strengthened his argument.