Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Devices

Jefferson uses repetition in the opening lines in order to appeal to logos which contributes to the persuasiveness of the document. The document begins by using logos to appeal to the audience. It states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident:...” (line 8). This line elicited feelings of logic and reason among the audience. It used logic to appeal to the public that what was to be said throughout the rest of the Declaration of Independence would solely be out of reason and obviously stated, persuading the audience further. The line also created feelings of logic based on the way it was formatted. Since it was stated at the beginning of the text, the audience knew that anything written after that line would refer back to the logical or “self-evident” idea that Jefferson claimed. …show more content…
The author wrote, “-That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (lines 9-10). This line used the repetition of the word “that” to spark a logical appeal in the document. Using the word, “that,” helped specify and emphasize certain aspects of the Declaration of Independence and the main ideas Jefferson hoped to project. The repetition opened citizens eyes towards their rights and the idea that everyone deserved equal rights. Using logic helped gain people’s attention in regards to the importance and reasoning behind the document. Jefferson appealed to logos by using repetition to persuade his audience throughout the Declaration of