Literary Analysis Thomas Jefferson

Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Literary Analysis of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson was a member of the five-person committee that drafted the declaration of independence in 1776. Jefferson took the main responsibility for formulating the declaration, though other notable members such as Benjamin Franklin and John Adams contributed suggestions (Cooke 2). While drafting the declaration, Jefferson employed all the three persuasive appeals, including ethos, pathos and logos, to make his audience accept his message. Tandem to this, he uses persuasive voice to address his audience on the importance of adapting change (Gibson 18). Naturally, the declaration of independence was aimed at King George III; however, it still has a significant meaning for many nations today. Question 1 While drafting the declaration for independence, Thomas Jefferson had observed that it was necessary to implement a law that would provide equal opportunities for all citizens of the United States. Jefferson argued that “people are equal under the law; therefore, there should not be one law for the poor and another for the rich” (Cooke 2). The Phrase, “All men are created equal. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal….” not only justifies the philosophy of equal rights but also justifies the philosophy of limited, government, popular control, justification for rebellion and the social contact. When Jefferson used the term, “Self evident” perhaps his goal was to demonstrate to King George III and the general population that equality calls for no defense because its virtue is unquestionable (Gibson 87). The persuasive appeal of this sentence is rooted from the use of ethos and pathos. While Jefferson employs pathos to appeal to the emotions of the audience. He uses ethos to make a standing on his points of view on human position in society. For instance, ethos is seen when Jefferson emphasizes on the importance of equality (Gibso...