Essay Declaration Of Independence

Essay for the Declaration of Independence

The final version of the "Declaration of Independence" written by Thomas Jefferson presents the ideas encompassed in the initial draft of the declaration and Jefferson is also able to present those ideas in a stronger fashion. By making changes regarding diction, tone, and purpose, a stronger stance and certainty is presented in the words Jefferson put down. The initial draft uses words that are not powerful enough to move an audience and Jefferson made changes to those words in order to declare and hammer the points he want to make into the head of his intended audience.

The biggest change from the draft to the finalized version of is declaration is the diction. The word choice in the draft of the declaration still presents the American colonists as subject of the King of England. Words and phrases such as"his present majesty", "subordination", and "our British brethren" are signs of attachment to the British crown. In the finalized draft of the declaration, Jefferson uses words and phrases that identify the American colonies as an organization with with equal status as Britain. Changing the phrases gives more status and power to the American people.

The tone Jefferson speaks in also alters the meaning of the document. With assertive and forceful tone, Jefferson changes the document from a friendly request to a powerful announcement. In order to have an assertive and forceful tone, Jefferson cuts off unnecessary words that present the declaration in a weak attitude and he makes his points clearly and directly. The first draft of the declaration has many sections removed and it also has many parts rewritten for precision and clarity. The section of the declaration that states the crimes of the British King is simplified and is separated into different paragraphs. With such clarity, the determination and the stance of the American colonists have been changed from the first draft to the finalized draft.

The purpose of the document also changes the meaning from one draft to another. In the last paragraph of the declaration, Jefferson add commas to present an emotion. Anger, an emotional appeal, greatly changes the meaning of the document from draft to draft. In the beginning of the document, Jefferson uses logical appeals and point out that the American colonists have the right to be free because all people have the right of life, happiness, and liberty. The meaning of the document changes with the addition of emotional appeals. The original document moves from a friendly request to an emotional accusation of the King of England and a strong declaration for independence.

The changes in diction, tone, and purpose of the document results in a change in the meaning of the declaration as a whole. The meaning of the declaration moves from

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