Declaration of independence

in every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. . we, therefore, the representatives of the united states of america, in general congress, assembled, appealing to the supreme judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the british crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of great britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;

the preamble to the us constitution

we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america.

consider the purpose of these two excerpts, and then compare their structure and tone. how do these elements differ in the two excerpts? cite evidence from the text to support your response.

Your answer should be supported with textual evidence.

Both excerpts indicate a general cause-and-effect relationship in their structure. In the Declaration of Independence, the cause is the oppression of the American colonies and the effect is the colonies’ desire to dissolve political connections with British rule. In the preamble, the cause is the desire to form a more perfect Union, etc., and the effect is the actual formation of the new federal government under the Constitution.

The tone differs in both excerpts. With statements such as “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,” the Declaration of Independence uses emotional appeals to create a persuasive and direct tone. The preamble to the Constitution, on the other hand, uses a long series of claims to support a logical argument.

Explanation:

Sample answer

the price of our current war is high; it costs money and it costs lives.

but it does not cost our pride. it does not cost the guilt that would arise from knowing that we did nothing to intervene while our neighboring nations fell to despotic leaders.

it does not cost the terror of knowing that our allies are unstable. it does not cost the fear that we, too, will be next to fall.

which sentence most accurately explains why the speaker's use of the parallel structure is effective in this passage?

a. it underscores that disagreement will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly.

b. it makes the speaker seem like a decisive and capable leader.

c. it emphasizes reasons to fight and inspires listeners to aid the war effort.

d. it establishes the speaker's credibility by acknowledging the difficulties of war.