Texts written during the Revolutionary era tend to use very formal language and include complex, often abstract ideas and frequent allusions to Biblical or classical texts. These qualities require you to read the documents more carefully and critically than you might read informational or persuasive text written today. In such difficult but tightly structured texts, if you miss the meaning of a single sentence, you might misunderstand the entire document.
How well did you understand the approaches used by texts in this module? Try answering these questions to find out.
As you read this passage from Thomas Paine's Common Sense, look for examples of reasoning and examples of rhetoric.
Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise. For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform, and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him out of two evils to choose the least.
Which line is the best example of rhetoric rather than reasoning?
- Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise.
- For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform, and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver;
- but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest;
- and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him out of two evils to choose the least.
In the first sentence, Paine places an allusion to the garden of Eden—the "bowers of paradise," from which humans were cast, according to the Judeo-Christian Bible. When they were cast out of paradise, humans became suddenly aware of their nakedness, their need for "dress." Paine uses this allusion to explain the role that government has traditionally played in the lives of humans; they only need it because they've lost the ability to self-govern their own natural urges and selfish inclinations.
In the first sentence, Paine places an allusion to the garden of Eden—the "bowers of paradise," from which humans were cast, according to the Judeo-Christian Bible. When they were cast out of paradise, humans became suddenly aware of their nakedness, their need for "dress." Paine uses this allusion to explain the role that government has traditionally played in the lives of humans; they only need it because they've lost the ability to self-govern their own natural urges and selfish inclinations.
In the first sentence, Paine places an allusion to the garden of Eden—the "bowers of paradise," from which humans were cast, according to the Judeo-Christian Bible. When they were cast out of paradise, humans became suddenly aware of their nakedness, their need for "dress." Paine uses this allusion to explain the role that government has traditionally played in the lives of humans; they only need it because they've lost the ability to self-govern their own natural urges and selfish inclinations.
In the first sentence, Paine places an allusion to the garden of Eden—the "bowers of paradise," from which humans were cast, according to the Judeo-Christian Bible. When they were cast out of paradise, humans became suddenly aware of their nakedness, their need for "dress." Paine uses this allusion to explain the role that government has traditionally played in the lives of humans; they only need it because they've lost the ability to self-govern their own natural urges and selfish inclinations.
As you read this passage from Patrick Henry's speech to the Virginia Assembly, look for rhetorical devices that were selected to provoke an emotional response in listeners.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
What type of persuasive device is used most often in this passage?
- allusions
- parallel structures
- rhetorical questions
- nuanced language
There are two long rhetorical questions in this passage, but only one allusion and one example of parallel structure, and just a few highly nuanced words.
There are two long rhetorical questions in this passage, but only one allusion and one example of parallel structure, and just a few highly nuanced words.
There are two long rhetorical questions in this passage, but only one allusion and one example of parallel structure, and just a few highly nuanced words.
There are two long rhetorical questions in this passage, but only one allusion and one example of parallel structure, and just a few highly nuanced words.
As you read this passage from General Washington's letters to Patrick Henry, try to identify the implicit message that Washington hopes to send.
Indeed, the advantage obtained over the enemy's light troops might have been improved, perhaps to a considerable extent, had we been in a proper situation to make use of this favorable crisis; but a want of confidence in the generality of the troops, has prevented me from availing myself of that, and almost every other opportunity which has presented itself.
Which statement best represents Washington's implied message to Patrick Henry?
- We lost the most recent battles with British troops only because we were outnumbered.
- Your attempts to help change Virginia's approach to fighting the war have not been useful.
- I can't fight this war effectively without more skilled and experienced soldiers.
- Our troops would perform better on the battlefield if they were better supplied with food.
Washington uses subtle, formal phrases like perhaps to a considerable extent, make use of a favorable crisis and has prevented me from availing myself to subtly and respectfully convey his feelings of frustration about a lack of skill and experience among his troops.
Washington uses subtle, formal phrases like perhaps to a considerable extent, make use of a favorable crisis and has prevented me from availing myself to subtly and respectfully convey his feelings of frustration about a lack of skill and experience among his troops.
Washington uses subtle, formal phrases like perhaps to a considerable extent, make use of a favorable crisis and has prevented me from availing myself to subtly and respectfully convey his feelings of frustration about a lack of skill and experience among his troops.
Washington uses subtle, formal phrases like perhaps to a considerable extent, make use of a favorable crisis and has prevented me from availing myself to subtly and respectfully convey his feelings of frustration about a lack of skill and experience among his troops.
As you read this passage from the Declaration of Independence, consider how Jefferson's word choices are likely to impact the document's overall effect.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Which word in this passage is the most likely to evoke a strong emotional response in readers, including King George himself?
- humble
- Tyrant
- injury
- Prince
Publicly describing one's king using this term would be considered an act of treason, so it would evoke a strong response in any reader, regardless of that reader's political beliefs and opinions.
Publicly describing one's king using this term would be considered an act of treason, so it would evoke a strong response in any reader, regardless of that reader's political beliefs and opinions.
Publicly describing one's king using this term would be considered an act of treason, so it would evoke a strong response in any reader, regardless of that reader's political beliefs and opinions.
Publicly describing one's king using this term would be considered an act of treason, so it would evoke a strong response in any reader, regardless of that reader's political beliefs and opinions.
As you read this passage from Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, consider the role of anecdotes (brief stories that convey a message or develop a theme).
There was a salt-marsh that bounded part of the mill-pond, on the edge of which, at high water, we used to stand to fish for minnows. By much trampling, we had made it a mere quagmire. My proposal was to build a wharf there fit for us to stand upon, and I showed my comrades a large heap of stones, which were intended for a new house near the marsh, and which would very well suit our purpose. Accordingly, in the evening, when the workmen were gone, I assembled a number of my play-fellows, and working with them diligently like so many emmets, sometimes two or three to a stone, we brought them all away and built our little wharf. The next morning the workmen were surprised at missing the stones, which were found in our wharf. Inquiry was made after the removers; we were discovered and complained of; several of us were corrected by our fathers; and though I pleaded the usefulness of the work, mine convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest.
What character traits did Franklin hope to reveal in this anecdote?
- recklessness and criminal intent
- empathy and a desire to learn
- ambition and greed
- creativity and leadership qualities
The purpose of the anecdote was to show an early example of the kinds of qualities that helped Franklin succeed in life, once they were channeled correctly.
The purpose of the anecdote was to show an early example of the kinds of qualities that helped Franklin succeed in life, once they were channeled correctly.
The purpose of the anecdote was to show an early example of the kinds of qualities that helped Franklin succeed in life, once they were channeled correctly.
The purpose of the anecdote was to show an early example of the kinds of qualities that helped Franklin succeed in life, once they were channeled correctly.
Read these lines from one of Phillis Wheatley's poems, and recall what literary devices she used most frequently.
Why, Phoebus, moves thy car so slow?
So slow thy rising ray?
Give us the famous town to view,
Thou glorious King of day!
Which two literary devices appear in this stanza, and in most of Wheatley's poems?
- foreshadowing and flashback
- allusion and personification
- alliteration and simile
- satire and hyperbole
Like most of Wheatley's poems, this excerpt alludes to a figure from classical Greek literature and also personifies an element of nature (usually the sun).
Like most of Wheatley's poems, this excerpt alludes to a figure from classical Greek literature and also personifies an element of nature (usually the sun).
Like most of Wheatley's poems, this excerpt alludes to a figure from classical Greek literature and also personifies an element of nature (usually the sun).
Like most of Wheatley's poems, this excerpt alludes to a figure from classical Greek literature and also personifies an element of nature (usually the sun).
Summary
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