1. The Declaration of Independence Pages 112-115 “Certain materials are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the multimedia fair use guidelines and are restricted from further use.”

2. A Piece of Literature While the Declaration is a historical document, it is also a piece of literature. What genre is it? What type of writing is it?

3. The Declaration of Independence

4. Persuasive Writing Thesis –when a government fails, people have the right to establish a new one Support – offers idea of human rights – a list of grievances against King George and the British government Conclusion –Therefore, we are declaring ourselves an independent country

5. A National Treasure

6. Lofty Language Why does Jefferson use such elevated language? Who is his intended audience?

7. Credits John Trumbull's painting Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 comes from http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/ http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/ Movie clip from A National Treasure (2004)