1. The Age of Reason Historical Context Genres/Styles of Writing
American Revolution; growth of patriotism
Development of American character/democracy
Use of reason as opposed to faith alone (compared to Puritan writing which was focused on faith).
Genres/Styles of Writing
Political pamphlets, essays, speeches and documents
Instructive in values; highly ornate writing style

2. Major Writers Benjamin Franklin
Autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanac
Symbol of success gained by hard work and common sense
Known for his aphorisms (short sayings with a message)
“Haste makes waste”
“God helps those who help themselves”

3. Major Writers (continued)
Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Independence
Considered the finest writer of the era
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”
Thomas Paine
“The American Crisis” helped propel us into war
Remains a model of effective propaganda.
“These are the times that try men’s souls.”

4. Major Writers (continued)
Phyllis Wheatley
Enslaved African became one of the finest American poets of her day.
Wrote “To His Excellency, General Washington”
Patrick Henry
“Speech in the Virginia Convention”
Urged armed resistance to English and fed the spirit of revolution.

5. Rhetorical Devices Appeals to logic, emotion, credibility
Repetition of an idea using the same words.
“The war is inevitable – and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come! (Patrick Henry 103).
Restatement of an idea using different words.
“We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne…(Patrick Henry 102).

6. Rhetorical Devices Parallelism – repeated use of grammatical structure
“We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne…(Patrick Henry 102).
(Note the order of the parts of speech –
pronoun, helping verb, past tense verb).
Rhetorical questions – questions with obvious answers meant to engage audience emotionally.
“Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?” (Patrick Henry 102).