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Pathos Ethos Declaration of Independence

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Purpose of the Declaration of Independence:
This was a document that was written to explain why we should break away from Great Britain and become independent from their laws. It explains that all men (and now women too) are created equal and were born with rights that cannot be taken away…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To ensure that these rights remain, the people create a government and laws that will protect these rights. When the government starts to act in such a way that these rights are threatened…then the people have the right to change the government or remove it and replace it with a new one. It then continues to list the reasons why they want to sever ties with Great Britain and list the ways they feel they have suffered. This document was intended to show Great Britain that we now consider them enemies and must take us seriously and this would also serve as a record of the wrong doings and the desire for the people to completely separate from Great Britain. Ethos of the document: Experience or standing In my opinion, Thomas Jefferson uses an appeal to ethos when he establishes his authority in the last paragraph. He states that he, as well as the others who signed the declaration, are “the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress,” which shows the status and credibility of the men enforcing this declaration. He also establishes his ethos when he lists the errors of the King of Britain. He is giving evidence towards his claim, making it seem more believable, and therefore instilling a sense of credibility in the reader. Because Jefferson didn’t merely use his opinions or appeals to the heart to persuade his audience, he is much more authoritative in his argument. Pathos of the document: Emotion Thomas Jefferson also appeals to pathos. When he states, in the second paragraph, “Such has been the patient sufferance

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