Writing- English

The Declaration of Independence

The American Declaration of Independence may be the most influential political text ever written. It lays out the ONE NEW TRUTH upon which American society is to be constructed. Importantly, it establishes for the first time in human society the principle of human rights that derive, not from a king or political system, but from "the Supreme Being" or the "Creator." This belief is the fundamental aspect of American Democracy, and it is the guarantor of American freedom. Because these rights come from "God," they cannot be changed by any single man or group. Thus, according to the logic of the Declaration, they are "unalienable."

In addition, students should note that the Declaration is a Neoclassical text: it is a written argument composed in the Deductive mode, which is taken directly from the Classical Age. It is deliberately constructed TO make an argument, and it follows Classical rules of argumentation. This is important because such arguments are used not just to change opinions and justify actions, but to establish "new truths" in human thinking. Like the scientific article, the purpose is not merely to declare, meaning "to say"; the purpose is also to declare, to SHOW some "new" thing IS TRUE, that is "to prove" a new claim. Finally, the Declaration says out loud, for the first time in Human History, this new Truth so that forever afterward, it must continue to be part of human civilization. It declares for all time that all human beings are equal.

In the modern day, some people view the Declaration as a hypocritical statement, given the past inequalities of American society. However, a "declaration" is by definition a "saying," not a "doing." The Declaration states the new Truth; however, it is still up to individual humans being to live up to it.

Here are some questions to explore and reply to ...

· Explain the argument of the Declaration of Independence: outline its parts, and explain how the parts work together to both "declare" and "persuade."

· In what ways does the Declaration "construct" a new truth? What "new" truth does it establish?

· In what ways does the Declaration "synthesize" American ideas of Nature, Christianity, and Reason?

· Who is the audience for the Declaration? How many different audiences does it address?

· Why do the writers of the Declaration feel impelled to justify their rebellion against Britain "to the world"?

· Why is it your "duty," according to the Declaration, "to throw off such Government" that "seeks to reduce [you] under absolute Despotism"?

· What are your reactions to the Declaration? Have you read it before? If so, what about the Declaration is different in this reading?