1. The Revolutionary War Period
The Age of Reason
Authors:
Benjamin Franklin ( )
Patrick Henry ( )
Thomas Jefferson ( )
Thomas Paine ( )
The Revolutionary War Period

2. Vocabulary for “Age of Reason”
Define and write an example: (use your textbook)
Antithesis
Rhetorical question
Emotional appeal
Logical appeal
Repetition
Parallelism (parallel structure)
Aphorism

3. “I think, therefore I am.”
God’s special gift to humanity—the ability to think.
The Enlightenment:
Began in Europe (17th century)
Emerged with modern science and the scientific method
Influenced by Sir Isaac Newton’s view of universe
Belief in unlimited possibilities when guided by reason
Rationalism is the belief that we can arrive at truth by using our reason rather than relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or on intuition.
Rene’ Descartes

4. Deism: The Beliefs The existence of deity
God made the universe orderly and good
God governs the world with His Providence
The most acceptable service of God is doing good to man
Souls are immortal and good
Crimes will be punished and virtue rewarded either here or hereafter
God made it possible for all people at all times to discover natural laws through their faculty of reason.
Sir Isaac Newton

5. Literature Content: Rooted in reality
Wrote about social, political, and scientific improvements
Primarily non-fiction—pamphlets
Intended to serve practical or political ends

6. Patrick Henry 1736-1799: Lawyer Age 29 involved in politics
Master orator
Dramatic orator
1st great speech against Stamp Act
Powerful Virginia politician
Patrick Henry

7. Speech to the Virginia Convention
by Patrick Henry
Audience: Virginia delegates
Purpose: to gather support for a proposed resolution to approve the formation of a local militia
Style: persuasive
a call to action
proof supporting speaker’s position and motives
a heightened style

8. Virginia gentleman, politician, governor, Renaissance man
Classically educated
Lawyer and writer
3rd President of United States of America
Louisiana Purchase
Died on 50th anniversary of the independence (7/4/1826)
Wrote his own epitaph
Thomas Jefferson
Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.

9. Declaration of Independence
by Thomas Jefferson
Audience: King of Britain
Style: a declaration
Purpose: to declare independence
4 Parts of the Declaration:
Preamble
Declaration of rights
List of Complaints
Conclusion

10. The Autobiography Audience: son or those interested in improvement
by Benjamin Franklin
Audience: son or those interested in improvement
Style: personal narrative (unquestioned masterpiece of the American Age of Reason)
Purpose: self-help book

11. Benjamin Franklin Classic American success story—a self-made man
Rags to Riches
Printer, postmaster, almanac maker, essayist, chemist, orator, tinker, statesman, humorist, philosopher, parlor man, political economist, professor of housewifery, ambassador, projector, maxim-monger, herb-doctor, wit: Jack of all trades, master of each and mastered by none—the type and genius of the land, Franklin was everything but a poet.
Benjamin Franklin
By Herman Melville

12. Basics of an Argument

13. Step 1: A Claim, or clear statement of a position on an issue
Thesis statement

14. Step 2:
Support for the claim, which consists of reasons and evidence

15. Step 3:
Counterarguments, or statements that anticipate and refute opposing views

16. Step 4:
Sound Logic and effective language

17. Conclusion:
A conclusion that sums up the reasons or the call for action