Big Idea / ThemeBig Idea / Theme

The Road to IndependenceThe Road to Independence

The Road to IndependenceThe Road to Independence

Responsibility and RightsResponsibility and Rights Rhetoric of the Revolution Rhetoric of the Revolution PersuasionPersuasion Historical documents Historical documents Founding fathersFounding fathers Women’s rolesWomen’s roles

Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin

1706-17901706-1790 Printer, scientist, inventorPrinter, scientist, inventor

• ElectricityElectricity• BifocalsBifocals• Franklin stoveFranklin stove• Daylight Savings TimeDaylight Savings Time• Lightning rodLightning rod

Ambassador to Britain and FranceAmbassador to Britain and France Signed the ConstitutionSigned the Constitution 11stst Post Master General Post Master General Wrote: Wrote: AutobiographyAutobiography Poor Richard’s AlmanackPoor Richard’s Almanack

Literary ElementLiterary Element

AutobiographyAutobiography The story of a person’s life written by The story of a person’s life written by

that person. Autobiographies can that person. Autobiographies can give insights into the author’s view of give insights into the author’s view of himself or herself and of the society himself or herself and of the society in which he or she lived. in which he or she lived. The The Autobiography of Benjamin FranklinAutobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a famous example of the genre.is a famous example of the genre.

AphorismAphorism A short, pointed statement that A short, pointed statement that

expresses a wise or clever expresses a wise or clever observation about human observation about human experience. “Poor Richard’s experience. “Poor Richard’s Almanack” by Benjamin Franklin Almanack” by Benjamin Franklin contains many aphorisms, such as contains many aphorisms, such as “What you would seem to be, be “What you would seem to be, be really.”really.”

Rhetoric of the RevolutionRhetoric of the Revolution

PersuasionPersuasion 3 appeals3 appeals

• LogicalLogical• EmotionalEmotional• EthicalEthical

Rhetorical DevicesRhetorical Devices

Figurative languageFigurative language HyperboleHyperbole Rhetorical questionRhetorical question ParallelismParallelism Connotative languageConnotative language

Patrick HenryPatrick Henry

1736 - 17991736 - 1799 Famous for saying “Give me liberty, Famous for saying “Give me liberty,

or give me death!”or give me death!” Governor and legislator (Virginia)Governor and legislator (Virginia) Helped get the Bill of Rights added to Helped get the Bill of Rights added to

the Constitutionthe Constitution Turned down Chief Justice of the Turned down Chief Justice of the

Supreme CourtSupreme Court

Literary ElementLiterary Element

Rhetorical questionRhetorical question A question to which no answer is A question to which no answer is

expected or the answer is already expected or the answer is already known. It is used to emphasize the known. It is used to emphasize the obvious answer to what is asked.obvious answer to what is asked.

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson 1743 – 18261743 – 1826 George Washington’s Secretary of StateGeorge Washington’s Secretary of State Vice President under John AdamsVice President under John Adams 33rdrd President of the United States President of the United States Louisiana PurchaseLouisiana Purchase Lewis & Clark ExpeditionLewis & Clark Expedition Built MonticelloBuilt Monticello Founded University of VirginiaFounded University of Virginia Died on 50Died on 50thth anniversary of the Declaration of anniversary of the Declaration of

Independence – July 4, 1826Independence – July 4, 1826 Wrote the Declaration of IndependenceWrote the Declaration of Independence

Literary ElementLiterary Element

ParallelismParallelism (sometimes called “matching parts”)(sometimes called “matching parts”) It is the phrasing of similar ideas or It is the phrasing of similar ideas or

elements – words, phrases, or elements – words, phrases, or sentences – in the same grammatical sentences – in the same grammatical form. In the Declaration of form. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson Independence, Thomas Jefferson uses parallelism effectively. uses parallelism effectively.

Natural RightsNatural Rights

Government by contractGovernment by contract

Thomas PaineThomas Paine

1737 – 18091737 – 1809 Tried for treason in EnglandTried for treason in England Became a citizen of FranceBecame a citizen of France But, during Revolution, was thrown in But, during Revolution, was thrown in

prison and stripped of citizenshipprison and stripped of citizenship Went back to U.S.Went back to U.S. Wrote: Wrote: Common SenseCommon Sense The CrisisThe Crisis The Rights of ManThe Rights of Man

Literary ElementLiterary Element

ToneTone An author’s attitude toward his or her An author’s attitude toward his or her

subject matter or the audience. subject matter or the audience. Tone is conveyed through elements Tone is conveyed through elements such as word choice, punctuation, such as word choice, punctuation, sentence structure, and figures of sentence structure, and figures of speech. A writer’s tone might speech. A writer’s tone might convey a variety of attitudes such as convey a variety of attitudes such as sympathy, objectivity, or humor.sympathy, objectivity, or humor.

Phillis WheatleyPhillis Wheatley

1753 - 17841753 - 1784 Was a slaveWas a slave Taught to read and writeTaught to read and write 11stst Black poet published in America Black poet published in America Was freedWas freed Died in povertyDied in poverty Wrote “To His Excellency, General Wrote “To His Excellency, General

Washington”Washington”

Literary ElementLiterary Element

CoupletCouplet Two consecutive, paired lines of Two consecutive, paired lines of

rhymed verse usually forming a rhymed verse usually forming a stanza. The last two lines of Phillis stanza. The last two lines of Phillis Wheatley’s “To His Excellency, Wheatley’s “To His Excellency, General Washington,” are a couplet.General Washington,” are a couplet.

Abigail AdamsAbigail Adams

1744 – 18181744 – 1818 Wife of John Adams (2Wife of John Adams (2ndnd President) President) Mother of John Quincy Adams (6Mother of John Quincy Adams (6thth)) Argued for women’s rights and Argued for women’s rights and

educationeducation Against slaveryAgainst slavery Known for her letter writingKnown for her letter writing

Literary ElementLiterary Element

DescriptionDescription A detailed portrayal of a person, a A detailed portrayal of a person, a

place, an object, or an event. Good place, an object, or an event. Good descriptive writing appeals to the descriptive writing appeals to the senses through imagery. senses through imagery.

David McCulloughDavid McCullough

Winner of Pulitzer PrizeWinner of Pulitzer Prize Wrote Wrote John AdamsJohn Adams

Literary ElementLiterary Element

Figurative languageFigurative language Language used for descriptive effect Language used for descriptive effect

in order to convey ideas or emotions. in order to convey ideas or emotions. Figurative expressions are not Figurative expressions are not literally true but express some truth literally true but express some truth beyond the literal level. Figurative beyond the literal level. Figurative language is especially common in language is especially common in poetry.poetry.