The Declaration of Independence

1. The Declaration of Independence Go USA!

2. Background on the Dec. of Ind. • Perhaps the most influential document in American history, The Declaration of Independence details the philosophy of the colonial revolutionaries and outlines their experiences with a tyrannical king.

3. Background on the Dec. of Ind. • In this famous battlecry of freedom, Jefferson identifies obvious truths, pointing out the equality of men and the details of contracts of government. • Then, in a list of the objectionable acts of King George III, arranged from least offensive to most, Jefferson outlines the reasons that the colonials are dissatisfied with their government.

4. Background on the Dec. of Ind. • Jefferson reaches the reasoned conclusion that every rational means of reaching agreement with Britain has failed, and, therefore, the United States of America must become independent of Britain.

5. Strategies for Difficult Text • Identify the source of your confusion • Be specific! • Clear it up

6. Clearing it up • Look for the main subject and verb • Find the main action of the sentence and understand that first. • Then move on to the rest of the sentence. • Look up the words you don’t know. • If it’s too long . . . • Map it out • Separate the parallelisms or lists

7. Identifying the source of your confusion • Find a line in the first two paragraphs that you do not understand. • Say which line it is. • Explain why you are confused. • BE SPECIFIC!

8. Difficult words • Find at least 10 words in the first two paragraphs that you do not understand and look them up. • Use www.dictionary.com.

9. Assignment • Occasion: Thomas Jefferson is visiting an eighth grade class. • Paraphrase and rephrase the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. • Assemble your translation in a Power Point presentation.