Rhetoric in the Declaration of Independence

505 Words3 Pages
The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to officially separate the American colonies from Great Britain and to dissolve the political ties between the two countries. Additionally, the document explained to the rest of the world why the colonies had chosen this course of action. The writers of the Declaration of Independence make use of ethos to establish their ethical standing – that they are sensible men of good character and good will. They acknowledge the fact that they need to explain the reasons for their actions: “When… it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another… a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” They also note that they are cautious and reasonable: “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes…” The writers assure that they have made honest efforts to avoid independence, but the King’s continued injustices has given them no choice: “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.” Finally, they state that they are men willing to pledge “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” for the principles enunciated in the declaration. The writers of the Declaration of Independence appeal to pathos through the word choice in their list of the King’s wrongdoings. Phrases such as “swarms of Officers to harass our people”, “waging War against us”, “plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people”, “death, desolation, and tyranny”, and “Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages” use emotional language to passionately berate the King for the injustices
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