Declaration Assignment
Now that you have read Jefferson’s “Declaration of Independence” and Stanton’s “Declaration of Sentiments” and learned about classical argument, it is your turn to declare yourself independent.
Steps:
1. Consider what you (or a group of people with whom you associate) need to be freed from in your life. This may be serious or humorous. For example, you might think of work, rules, expectations, personal flaws, etc.
2. In the brainstorming stage, create a syllogism to help define your argument. What would be the major premise, the minor premise, and the conclusion?
3. Model your argument after Thomas Jefferson’s. For instance, logos should probably be your main rhetorical appeal to avoid a rant that is easily dismissed. You should also arrange your document like his.
Preamble/Foreword – announcing reason for document
Declaration – declaring your “natural” rights
List of Grievances
Conclusion – formally stating your independence
4. Like Jefferson and Henry, make sure that your declaration follows the classical argument. Explain to me how you met all of the following in a small paragraph after your declaration. This is required to receive full credit.
-Exordium
-Narration
-Partition
-Confirmation
-Refutation
-Peroration
Goals:
*Successfully employ classical arrangement of argument
*Effectively utilize logos and other appeals/techniques
*Create an appropriate tone for situation and audience and develop style accordingly
Schedule:
Tuesday, 9/12: Bring at least your exordium to class for writing workshop
Friday9/15: Bring declaration to class (more complete) to work on and workshop with peers
Monday 9/18: Due Date: Assignment due on turnitin.com before midnight
Wednesday 9/20: Final Deadline: To receive this, fill out a missing work sheet and attend a visit to the writing lab for this assignment prior to this date.
Rubric – Your grade will be an average of each of the 4 sub-scores
AP Score9 – 50 pts / Above an 8 / Above an 8 / Above an 8 / Above an 8
8 - 49 / Effectively declares independence and convincingly supports position by citing appropriate evidence / The prose demonstrates an ability to control a wide range of the elements of effective writing but is not flawless / Clearly evidences mastery of the arrangement of “The Declaration of Independence” and the classical argument / Prose style is engaging and consistent with purpose, audience, and assignment
7 - 49 / Above a 6 / Above a 6 / Above a 6 / Above a 6
6 - 47 / Declares independence and supports position – but may be somewhat limited or inconsistent in development / There may be lapses in diction or syntax, but the writer’s ideas are conveyed adequately / Mostly (but possibly inconsistently) evidences mastery of the arrangement of “The Declaration of Independence” and of the classical argument / Prose style is mostly consistent with purpose, audience, and assignment
5 - 44 / In-between 4 and 6 / In-between 4 and 6 / In-between 4 and 6 / In-between 4 and 6
4 - 40 / Inadequately declares independence and lacks support for position / The prose suggests less control over writing / The arrangement is not consistent with “The Declaration of Independence” and of the classical argument or is lacking explanation / Prose style is not very consistent with purpose, audience, and assignment
3 - 38 / Below a 4 / Below a 4 / Below a 4 / Below a 4
2 - 37 / Does not meet assignment purposes / Evidences grammatical syntactical weaknesses / Complete lack of arrangement of ideas / Uncontrolled language/style
1 - 35 / Below a 2 / Below a 2 / Below a 2 / Below a 2