Questions for Analysis
How does Jefferson organize this important document? How many subdivisions does it have, how do they operate, and how does his approach to organization impact the document’s efficacy?
Using at least one citation from the text, analyze Jefferson’s approach to style, voice, and tone. How does he create a sense of urgency in moving toward the conclusion of the work?
The complexities of this document’s reach are immense. How many different audiences was Jefferson writing to, and what were the needs of those different groups?
In terms of the approaches to formal rhetoric that we studied in the first learning module, which does The Declaration of Independence most closely resemble? Explain your reasoning.
Why does this document maintain relevance in modern rhetorical studies? What are its rhetorical features that render it a “founding document” for the United State of America?
