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How Does Thomas Jefferson Use Ethos In The Declaration Of Independence

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Thomas Jefferson and other intellectual thinkers gathered together in the Second Continental Congress meeting at the Pennsylvania State House to write the Declaration of Independence. This document was published on July 4, 1776 stating that the colonies were independent from Great Britain, and mentioned the basic rights and liberties for Americans. In The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson’s purpose is to announce the separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain. Jefferson’s use of different rhetorical strategies such as ethos, logos, and diction to help him to develop his argument by providing facts about Great Britain’s actions and showing empathy for the colonists. Thomas Jefferson’s use of ethos helps him develop his argument about the thirteen colonies separating from Great Britain and also gives the audience a sense of trust in him. In the declaration he lists all the grievances that the colonists had against the British and what he thought was unjust. When he talks about the “Course of human events” he goes on stating that “… the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that …show more content…

As a result, the colonists can separate themselves from the British. Jefferson argues that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, 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” (8-11). His use of logos impacts the thirteen colonies because he provides reasoning that all men are born with certain “unalienable” rights that cannot be taken away by any means. By stating this, this gives the colonists more of a reason as to why they should be forming their own government and keep these

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