Directions: After reading and annotating the Declaration of Independence, answer the following questions using complete sentences and evidence from the text to support your answers:
1. Who is the audience of the Declaration of Independence? The audience that this is directed to would be The King of England, The Colonists, and other foreign nations.
2. In the first paragraph of the declaration, Jefferson states the reason for writing this document. What reason does he give? Jefferson states that the reason that the declaration was written is to solidify the causes that cause them to separate, which are mainly related to the human rights and the believe that all humans are equal, that this has already been given to them by god.
3. What is the overall issue, problem, or subject of the declaration? In the declaration, they are declaring their independence to the British.
4. What is Jefferson’s claim? What is the counterclaim? Jefferson claims that the Americans can govern themselves, while at the same time still staying under the British crown. The counterclaim is that the British would be the ones to control the major issues of the country so an “independent” America would not be possible.
5. What concrete evidence does Jefferson use to prove his argument against King George? If you were reading this as an American colonist, which of these details or reasons would be the most persuasive to you? He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.” Jefferson is saying that they need to separate from the British because all the king is doing is bringing in hired killers.
6. How does Jefferson’s structure impact his argument? Jefferson’s He is showing everything king George is enacting and the causes that become of this.
7. What is the effect of Jefferson capitalizing words like “Rights,” “Life,” “Liberty,” “Government,” “Men,” “Oppressions,” etc.? The effect of capitalizing those words is more attention is drawn to it. These are the most important parts of the message Jefferson is trying to communicate.
8. Jefferson changes the opening word in his sentences from “He” to “For.” What is the purpose of this shift?
While “He” refers to King George III, “For” is used to reference a specific legislation determined the worst violations of the colonists’ rights in which were agreed to on both ends up until George III’s reign.
9. What tone does the final statement of the Declaration of Independence display? Is this tone effective in conveying the importance of this document? Why or why not? The overall tone of the final statement is defiant and righteous, alongside sincere. This tone is extremely effective in conveying importance of this document because Jefferson gives a feeling of sincerity towards the people and a true care for their issues while standing strong on the issues that need to be changed.
10. Find and write the dictionary meaning for the word “self-evident.” Jefferson mentions four truths, which he says are “self-evident.” In a paragraph of at least six sentences, name these truths and argue for or against the notion that they are indeed “self-evident.” The dictionary definition of “self-evident” from google, says “not needing to be demonstrated or explained; obvious.” The four truths that Jefferson says are ‘obvious’ are “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. These four truths are self-evident to those who want them to be. If you want to feel free, and equal and empowered and happy, then these will be obvious to you. You would feel that everyone should know that these are for every human being. If you do not want to feel free, happy, empowered, or equal, then you will not. Every sentence that people say, or every action that someone does, will cause you to question the supposedly “obvious” truths. To the majority of people these truths are obvious and known.