Rhetorical Devices In The Declaration Of Independence

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Rhetorical Analysis of The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is the document American colonists used to express their ideas and beliefs for necessary freedoms that were not being obtained under British rule. In 1776 a committee made up of future founding fathers gathered together to draft the declaration. This committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston; however Jefferson is widely regarded as the main author of the document. Jefferson uses a plethora of rhetorical devices throughout this three page document defending basic human rights. He adopts an agitated yet hopeful tone throughout the declaration to ensure that the English know that the American people will not take King George’s tyranny lying down any longer. The document did have the intended effect on the audience because this led to the Revolutionary war, which then led to America’s eventual independence. Given the time period in which …show more content…

Jefferson starts to begin his sentences with the word “He”. When talking about “He” Jefferson is referring to the tyrant King George and his rule over the American people. This is an example of anaphora, which means the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Jefferson states “He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” And “He has combined with others to subject to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution…” (Jefferson 2) This device was used to highlight to tyranny and hardship England placed upon America at the time. This is one of the many rhetorical devices use throughout Jefferson’s work. He goes on to use the word “For” in an anaphorical sense up until the last three paragraphs of the declaration. This is used to describe everything that King George was against. These devices greatly improved the connection with the

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