American+Rhetoric

__Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention __ 1. Patrick Henry's purpose is to convince his fellow Virginian delegates to pass his revolution for their colony to join the American Revolution. 2. He is speaking to the delegates of Virginia. His words were appropriate for his audience because he continually references God and His support of the cause. Also, Henry questions the delegates strength and lack of passivity, which all of these men desire to have. He also addresses the men as Sir to respect their dignity as gentlemen. Henry uses effective ethos by speaking to his audience and knowing what will convince them. 3. "Is this the part of wise men?" and "Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?" Both of these rhetorical questions gets the colonists to think, and by answering them himself, Henry tells them what to think. It is a subtle way of convincing the audience they already agree with him. 4. When he says,“listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts,” he's alluding to Circe in the Odyssey who transformed men into swine after charming them with her singing. This compares to how the British are saying things to the colonists which are promising false hopes. Also, when he says, “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,” Henry creates a Biblical allusion which says that those who can’t see and can’t hear the truth about God will lose their spiritual salvation.

__"Of the Orgin and Design of Government in General, with Concise Remarks on the English Consitution"__ __﻿__1. Paine's purpose was to encourage the colonists to seek independence from Great Britain. 2. Paine used deductive reasoning to talk about the patterns of government and society in general and then related it to the colonies. This was an appropriate choice because it elminated some of Paine's bias to the situation and to the British. He explained how things always happened, and the colonies need to do something if they want a different outcome. 3. 4. Paine says, "Though they may amuse the ear, they cannot inform the mind." This is used to explain that the people are supposed to check the king's power when really only God can do that. Also, he says, "And as a man who is attached to a prostitute is unfitted to choose or judge a wife." This allusion is related the fact that if they are in favor of a rotten consitution of government, they will not be able to see a good one coming.
 * simple- "A thousand motives will excite them thereto." Simply states what the varies motives will do- excite the colonists to form a governmnet. This is a complete thought that is the main idea before the following sentences dive into all of the motives.
 * compound- "Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness." This helps to directly show comparison. Society is good. Government is bad.
 * complex- "In order to gain a clear and just idea of the design and end of government, let us suppose a small number of persons settled in some sequestered part of the earth." This structure shows a cause and effect sequence. You have to imagine the beginning of a settlement in order to understand of why they decide to create a government.

__Declaration of Independence __  1. Jefferson's purpose was to announce that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as independent states and reserved all the rights that go along with it. 2. Jefferson listed all the colonial grievances about the king that lead to the conclusion that he is unfit to be the ruler of free people. This choice was appropriate because he couldn't have stated that all kings were bad and then infer King George III was as well; he had to have examples to back up his statement. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">3. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">4. A common misconception is that the Declaration of Independence declared war against Britain or that it was the date that the colonies became free, when they had actually been in battle since Lexington and Concord and the war wasn't over until 1783. It could possibly be confused because America celebrates the 4th of July.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">simple- "He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power." Clearly states what the military is- indepedent and superior to the Civl power. This connects to Jefferson's message that the king isn't letting the government be of the people.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">compound- "We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations." This clearly reveals the two things they have done and places emphasis on the fact that they have done their part in the agreement.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">complex- "We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold, the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. This sentence creates comparisons and cause and effects. They must denounce their separation //because// it's a necessity. And they will view Britain //like// they view everyone else, not above.