Argumentative Analysis Essay on The Declaration of Independence

According to Chapter 11 of McGraw-Hill’s A Writers Resource, the term argument is defined as “a reasoned assertion about a debatable issue.” This means that when evaluating an argument, it’s important to understand now only how an argument is constructed but also how it is being presented.

An argument should — foremost — seek to ignite conversation. An argument’s purpose shouldn’t be to win but rather “take part in a discussion by stating and supporting [one’s] position on an issue” (AWR, 119) and can take on differing forms:

a CRITIQUE, which asks “What is true or accurate?” A critique summarizes one’s position before an argument is refuted or defended.
a REVIEW that asks “What is good?” You know, like a movie review.
a PROPOSAL (or policy papers) asks the question, “What can — or should — be done?” Proposals are designed to ignite change.

Remember, the key to a good argument comes down to REASONING and recognizing it’s various forms.

· TOPIC/ ESSAY CHOICES FOR THE ARGUMENTATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY:
Thomas Jefferson – The Declaration of Independence.

Create a strong thesis based on the major idea in The Declaration of Independence: (People have certain Inalienable Rights including Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.
Also include in the intro about his use of rhetorical devices.

· Make sure to include 4 Scholarly Sources, at least 1 from the actual document

· Minimum 5 pages

· Double spaced, font size 12 Time’s New Roman

· MLA format

· The main topic should be about the following idea: People should not be denied their rights on life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. This is the topic I have chosen to analyze