Analyzing processes, participants, and
circumstances
In June 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee.
Process: appointed
Participants: the Continental Congress, a committee
Circumstance: In June 1776
Types of processes (in verb groups)
– Action
The Congress appointed a committee.
– Saying
Locke asserted that people had the right to
rebel against an unjust ruler.
– Thinking/feeling
The colonists believed that their rights had been
violated.
– Describing/defining
The best governments are the ones that respect
human rights.
Different processes have different kinds
of participants
– Action: Actor and Receiver/Goal
The Congress appointed a committee.
– Saying: Sayer and Message
Locke asserted that people had the right to
rebel against an unjust ruler.
– Thinking/feeling: Thinker/feeler and Message
The colonists believed that their rights had been violated.
– Describing/defining: Described/Defined and
Description/Definition
The best governments are the ones that respect
human rights.
Task
•  With a partner, identify the participants in the
different kinds of processes in the Declaration of
Independence text
Declaration of Independence:
Processes and Participants
Holt, Rinehart, Winston (2000). Call to Freedom. Austin: Harcourt
Brace & Company. P.193
In June 1776,
Actor
Action process Receiver/Goal
The suggestion of
Richard Henry
Lee of Virginia
influenced
the Continental
Congress
In June 1776,
Actor
Action process
Receiver/Goal
The suggestion of
Richard Henry
Lee of Virginia
influenced
the Continental
Congress
the Continental
Congress
appointed
a five-person
committee
In June 1776,
Actor
Action process
Receiver/Goal
The suggestion of
Richard Henry
Lee of Virginia
influenced
the Continental
Congress
the Continental
Congress
appointed
a five-person
committee
(a five-person
committee)
to write
a document
In June 1776,
Actor
Action process
Receiver/Goal
The suggestion of
Richard Henry
Lee of Virginia
influenced
the Continental
Congress
the Continental
Congress
appointed
a five-person
committee
(a five-person
committee)
to write
a document
a document
declaring
the colonies’
independence
Declaration of Independence
Participant
The committee
Describing
process
included
Participant
John Adams,
Thomas
Jefferson, Benjamin
Franklin, Roger
Sherman, and
Robert R. Livingston
Declaration of Independence
Participant
The committee
Describing
process
included
Jefferson
was
Participant
John Adams, Thomas
Jefferson, Benjamin
Franklin, Roger
Sherman, and Robert
R. Livingston
the primary author of
the document
Declaration of Independence
Speaker
Saying process
Message
The Declaration of
Independence
defined
what colonists
believed to be their
rights
Declaration of Independence
Speaker
Saying process
Message
The Declaration of
Independence
defined
what colonists
believed to be their
rights
(The Declaration)
spelled out
their complaints
against Britain
Declaration of Independence
Speaker
Saying process
Message
The Declaration of
Independence
defined
what colonists
believed to be their
rights
(The Declaration)
spelled out
their complaints
against Britain
(The Declaration)
declared
that the colonies were
free and independent
Declaration of Independence
Actor
Action process
Receiver/Goal
The Declaration
captured
the spirit of Thomas
Paine’s ideas
Declaration of Independence
Actor
Action process
Receiver/Goal
The Declaration
captured
the spirit of Thomas
Paine’s ideas
The Declaration
strongly criticizing
King George III
Declaration of Independence
Actor
(King George III)
Action process
depriving
Receiver/Goal
the colonists of trial
by jury
Declaration of Independence
Actor
(King George III)
(King George III)
Action process
depriving
imposing
Receiver/Goal
the colonists of trial
by jury
taxes without the
colonists’ consent
Declaration of Independence
Actor
(King George III)
Action process
depriving
Receiver/Goal
the colonists of trial
by jury
(King George III)
imposing
taxes without the
colonists’ consent
(King George III)
dissolving
colonial charters and
legislatures
Declaration of Independence
Actor
(King George III)
Action process
depriving
Receiver/Goal
the colonists of trial
by jury
(King George III)
imposing
taxes without the
colonists’ consent
(King George III)
dissolving
colonial charters and
legislatures
(King George III)
committing
two dozen other
alleged crimes
Declaration of Independence
Thinker/Speaker
Thinking/Saying
process
Message
The writers of the
document
drew inspiration
XXXXXXXXX
Declaration of Independence
Thinker/Speaker
Thinking/Saying
process
Message
The writers of the
document
drew inspiration
XXXXXXXXX
Enlightenment
Philosophers
thought
that government
was a social
contract between
people and their
ruler
Declaration of Independence
Thinker/Speaker
The writers of the
document
Thinking/
Saying
process
Message
XXXXXXXXX
drew inspiration
Enlightenment
Philosophers
thought
that government was a social
contract between people and
their ruler
The philosophers
said
the best governments were
those that respected the
“natural rights” of individuals –
basic rights such as life,
liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.”
Declaration of Independence
Thinker/Speaker Thinking/
Saying
The writers of the
process
document
Message
Enlight. Philosophers
thought
that government was a social contract
between people and their ruler
The philosophers
said
the best governments were those that
respected the “natural rights” of
individuals – basic rights such as life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Britain’s John Locke
had added
that if the people determined that their
ruler or form of government was corrupt,
the people had a right to overthrow it. drew inspiration
XXXXXXXXX
Declaration of Independence
Thus,
Thinker/Speaker
Thinking/
saying process
Message
The authors of the
Declaration
claimed
that King George III
was “unfit to be the
ruler of a free people.”
Declaration of Independence
Thus,
Thinker/Speaker
Thinking/
saying process
Message
The authors of the
Declaration
claimed
that King George III
was “unfit to be the
ruler of a free people.”
(The authors of the
Declaration)
said
it was “their duty, to
throw off such
Government.”
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776,
Actor
Action process
Receiver/Goal
Members of the
Continental
Congress
approved
the Declaration
of independence
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776,
Actor
Action process
Receiver/Goal
Members of the
Continental
Congress
approved
the Declaration
of independence
Members of the
Continental
Congress (?)/
Declaration of
Independence)
dissolving
all allegiance to the
British Crown
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776,
Actor
Members of the
Continental Congress
Members of the
Continental Congress
(?)/ Declaration of
Independence)
Members of the
Continental Congress
(?)/ Declaration of
Independence)
Action
process
approved
dissolving
creating
Receiver/Goal
the Declaration
of independence
all allegiance to the
British Crown
the United States of
America