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English 3: Declaration of Independence Persuasion Analysis
Directions: Using the text Declaration of Independence, analyze the modes of persuasion and literary techniques listed
below. Cite specific lines from the text to support your analysis.
Persuasive Elements:
Purpose: Why did the author, Thomas Jefferson, write this piece of literature? What is he trying to accomplish?
Supporting line from the text:
Audience: For whom was the author writing? What clues alert you to who might read the text?
Supporting line from the text:
Thesis: What is the thesis? State the line exactly and identify the topic and opinion. What is the author’s call to action?
Reasons: List a minimum of three reasons Jefferson gives to support his thesis. Also cite examples and/or facts
that support each reason.
1.
2.
3.
Opposing Viewpoint: Does Jefferson address the viewpoint of the opposition? What does he suggest would be their
reasoning? How does he refute their argument?
Literary Techniques:
Tone: What is the author’s tone?
Supporting words or phrases from the text:
Parallelism: Identify the use of parallelism in the piece. Write the sentence below and underline the parallel wording or
phrasing. Cite the page number and paragraph.
Antecedents: Identify one pronoun and its antecedent in the piece. Cite the page number and paragraph.
Extending the Text:
How does this piece of literature reflect American values or the idea of the American Dream?
In the Declaration of Independence Jefferson denounced slavery as a violation of the basic right of liberty. Give an
example of a current violation of citizens’ freedom or equality.