Question

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” Which phrase in this passage from the Declaration of Independence directly states the purpose of the document? to dissolve the political bands to assume among the powers of the earth impel them to the separation declare the causes Question 2(Multiple Choice Worth 5 points) “Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.” The theme of this passage from the Declaration of Independence is best described as: many attempts were made to obtain assistance from the British people the British people were considered brethren or allies connections and correspondence were interrupted the British legislature extended an unwarranted jurisdiction over the colonies Question 3(Multiple Choice Worth 5 points) “In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” These lines from the Declaration of Independence are an example of the use of _______________. thesis ethos purpose pathos Question 4(Multiple Choice Worth 5 points) “We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;” These lines from the Declaration of Independence are an example of the use of _______________. logos theme ethos thesis Question 5(Multiple Choice Worth 5 points) “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.” These lines from the Declaration of Independence are an example of the use of _______________. ethos logos theme purpose

Answer 1

1. The phrase that directly states the purpose of the Declaration of Independence is "declare the causes". That is precisely what this document did - it declared the causes for American people to break loose of British colonialism and domination, and to claim their political independence and self-determination.

2. The theme of this passage is best described as: "the British legislature extended an unwarranted jurisdiction over the colonies". The British colonial politics have transcended the boundaries, endangering the Americans' right to self-governance. That is precisely why the Americans wanted to become independent.

3. These lines are an example of ethos. Jefferson uncovers a deep ethical problem that is the basis of the British domination of America. He says that Americans had petitioned (therefore, they had made formal requests, they had tried all the peaceful procedures), but instead of being answered, they had suffered an even greater oppression. His conclusion that such a prince is a tyrant is ethical in nature.

4. These lines are an example of a thesis. He proclaims that they are declaring freedom and independence, so this is a thesis that needs to be explained, argued, expounded - which the document does further below. This statement is a premise which has yet to be proved with facts and arguments.

5. I believe these lines are an example of pathos. He says that people are prone to tolerating their own suffering, in order not to change the situation they are accustomed to. Pathos, as a rhetorical technique, is supposed to provoke an emotional reaction with the listeners/readers. In this case, the audience would identify with the sufferers from the passage, but would also get scared that their suffering might not come to an end. This emotional reaction is supposed to provoke action and support for Jefferson's ideas.

Answer 2

Both excerpts indicate a general cause-and-effect relationship in their structure. In the Declaration of Independence, the cause is the oppression of the American colonies and the effect is the colonies’ desire to dissolve political connections with British rule. In the preamble, the cause is the desire to form a more perfect Union, etc., and the effect is the actual formation of the new federal government under the Constitution. The tone differs in both excerpts. With statements such as “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,” the Declaration of Independence uses emotional appeals to create a persuasive and direct tone. The preamble to the Constitution, on the other hand, uses a long series of claims to support a logical argument.