The Declarations

The Declarations

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The Seneca Falls Convention

Discussion questions- Declaration of Independence

• What is Jefferson's thesis? Where does he state it?
• What reasons does Jefferson give to support his premise that the United States should break away from Great Britain?
• What conclusions about British rule does Jefferson draw from the evidence he presents?
• How does Jefferson make himself and his request appear reasonable throughout the Declaration?
• How does Jefferson structure his argument? Where does he use inductive and deductive reasoning?
• How effectively does Jefferson anticipate and refuse opposition?
• Why does Jefferson list out all 28 of his reasons? Why not summarize?

Discussion questions- Declaration of Sentiments

• What is Stanton's thesis? Where does she state it?

• What "repeated injuries and usurpations" does stanton list? Why does she include this list?
• Who is the audience?
• Does Stanton anticipate opposition from her audience? Explain.
• The final paragraph is a call to action. What action does Stanton want her audience to take?
• What is Stanton's purpose?
• How does the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions use logos? Does the list of grievences appeal to primarily logos or pathos? Explain.

What do you think Elizabeth Cady Stanton was trying to accomplish by copying the format and language of The Declaration of Independence? What effect does it achieve? Do you think this made her argument more or less effective? Why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of copying the format and language of the Declaration of Independence?