The Declaration of Independence Assignment, Essay Example

The format and layout of the Declaration of Independence are interesting in a number of ways. One of the most noticeable things about the document is its use of a “drop cap,” which is a first letter that is larger than the main text and dropped down onto a lower line. Also interesting are the parts of the declaration that are indented. This makes certain parts of the document look more like a list than a simple paragraph. Most of these are the line that begin with “he” that list certain individual grievances of the framers.

The opening statement of the Declaration of Independence starts with the phrase “The Unanimous Declaration of the 13 United States of America.” This is a legitimate way in which to begin such a document. It speaks of the solidarity of those writing it and lets the audience know that each state agrees to what is being said. It is not merely a handful of people who object, but rather each and every state. This speaks to the legitimacy of the document.

Some people find some of the ideas written in the Declaration of Independence to be paradoxical.  One can understand why it might look that way. The framers seem to be complaining both that the English government has not exercised enough governance over the colonies and that it is exercising too much control over them. For instance, at one point, the framers write the following:

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

But later, they write the following:

We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us.

Although it is possible that King George exercised control where it was not warranted and failed to protect the American colonies when he needed to, it is easy to see how this might look paradoxical.

The Declaration of Independence makes use of the word “he” around 14 times. “He” is King George, King of England and ruler over the American colonies. The framers do, in fact, tell us who they are writing about when they say the following:

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Their method is effective, because it allows whoever reads the document to see very clearly how many grievances the American people had against the King and how bad each one was. Because of the formatting, each and every complaint stands out.