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Declaration of Independence Rhetorical Analysis

Total questions: 17

Worksheet time: 9mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In the first paragraph when Jefferson explains the purpose of his Declaration, Jefferson is using what rhetorical strategy?

a)

presenting organized information

b)

estabalishing shared values

c)

use of repetition

d)

use of euphemism

2.

When Jefferson states, "Prudence, instead, will dictate that...Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes...", what rhetorical strategy is he employing?

a)

shaved values and beliefs

b)

Portraying a contrary opinion

c)

alliteration

d)

assonance

3.

When Jefferson lists the grievances starting with "He has.." he is using...

a)

alliteration

b)

anaphora

c)

irony

d)

hyperbole

4.

With repeating the words "He has...", Jefferson is using what rhetorical device?

a)

presenting organized information

b)

cacophony

c)

establishing shared values

d)

protraying an opposing opinion

5.

When Jefferson uses words like 'most wholesome' and 'utterly neglected', what rhetorical strategy is he using?

a)

anaphora

b)

alliteration

c)

hyperbole

d)

euphemism

6.

When Jefferson writes 'he has made our judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of their offices' instead of saying 'the judges must do what he says or he will fire them', he is using what rhetorical strategy?

a)

anaphora

b)

hyperbole

c)

euphemism

d)

oxymoron

7.

When Jefferson lists grievance after grievance, he is applying what strategy?

a)

presenting a contrary opinion

b)

setting the tone

c)

showing respect

d)

estabishing shared beliefs

8.

In this sentence, Jefferson used what strategy:

"...offices, by a self-assumed power and sent hither swarms of new officers to harass our people and eat out their substances."

a)

anaphora

b)

alliteration/consonance

c)

hyperbole

d)

euphemism

9.

With the words we appeal to your "native justice and magnanimity (goodness)," Jefferson is using what rhetorical strategy?

a)

Showing empathy

b)

Information about yourself

c)

Showing respect

d)

Shared values

10.

By using the words "British brethren" to address the readers in England, Jefferson is ...

a)

presenting organized information

b)

establishing shared values and beliefs

c)

showing respect

d)

using reliable sources

11.

When Jefferson writes, "To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world for the truth of which we pledge a faith", he is applying what strategy ?

a)

Building rapport

b)

Using and citing reliable sources

c)

anaphora

d)

Establishing shared values

12.

When Jefferson gives some history of all the times that the colonists have tried to contact the King to work with him about these problems, Jefferson is

a)

Buidling the colonists' credibility through this background knowledge.

b)

Creating an ironic situation.

c)

Using a number of harsh sounding words to create a disagreeable tone.

d)

Establishing shared values with the readers.

13.

..."mock trial from punishment for any murders which they should commit.."

The words in this sentence could be the rhetorical strategy of ...

a)

cacophony

b)

alliteraton

c)

hyperbole

d)

irony

14.

Jefferson's audience was varied-- some were loyal supporters, some were definitely not, some were on the fence, some were British who might have a say in financing the King's war, and some were French who might have a say in financing the colonists' efforts. Knowing this, Jefferson

a)

could not establish any shared beliefs.

b)

did not need to build empathy or feeling because the audience was too varied.

c)

set a definite tone and understood the relationship of his audiences to the topic.

15.

Rhetorical analysis

a)

looks at the point an author is trying to make.

b)

looks at how an author makes a point.

16.

Rhetoric is

a)

the use of effective language

b)

the art of lying

c)

propaganda

d)

the art of persuading others

17.

When Jefferson ends the Declaration of Independence with summary of why the colonies are disgruntled and explanation of what they are going to do about it (reject and renounce all allegiance to ... Great Britain), he is following what rhetorical device?

a)

building rapport with the audience

b)

establishing shared values

c)

presenting organized and well-prepared information

d)

using and citing reliable resources