Rational

When you read the Declaration of Independence, your first thought is probably not "Wow, what a rational piece of writing." Look closer though.

Despite the dramatic subject matter, Jefferson's Declaration it is actually pretty level-headed. That's because he lays out distinct reasons for the separation of the colonies from Britain, in a logical progression of ideas, which prove the assertion that the colonies should be independent.

Rather than just using inflammatory language and trying to drum up some rabble-rousing crowds, Jefferson presents clear, unmistakable evidence.

For example, after first reminding us that governments were created "from the consent of the governed" (3) to protect the rights of their people, Jefferson claims: "when a long train of abuses and usurpations…evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government" (6).

First, he establishes that government is responsible to its people, before presenting the accusation that the British government has failed in that responsibility and should therefore be replaced. You had one job, Parliament…

To support that big accusation, Jefferson continues with a list of evidence. He even reminds the reader that the colonists have tried other courses of action: "In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury" (38). He's saying, "Hey buddies, we tried to make this thing work, but the other guys just made it worse."

It's pretty difficult to read the Declaration of Independence and not be at least somewhat convinced that the colonists have some compelling reasons to ditch the British. Even the final paragraph, where independence is officially declared, is very formal, and includes a reminder of the kinds of things the colonies will be able to do as an independent nation, like "establish Commerce" (46).

Calm down Thomas—we can see you're excited, but rein it in.

Jefferson and his team were probably pretty aware of how important keeping this document reasonable and rational was to their cause. They had to be taken seriously. If you've ever tried to get something big and significant changed, you know that there are a few ways to try and get it done, but at some point the other side has to realize you've got your stuff together.

The colonists had already taken some pretty dramatic action and had some temper tantrums, which rallied some people to their cause and started the Revolutionary War. But this Declaration shows that they're grownups who really understand what they're doing, why they're doing it, and even what the next steps will be.

In a relatively short document, Jefferson provides an answer to pretty much every argument that could be made for the opposing side, through a logical progression of ideas that makes it a lot harder to fight back without having equally strong evidence on the other side.

Which the British didn't have, in this case.

Inspirational

The Declaration of Independence definitely keeps it rational, but Jefferson does throw in some epic words and phrases that inspire Americans to this day. You do want to be taken seriously when you're declaring national independence, which is a pretty big deal, but ideally you want people to want to agree with you.

People can be swayed by logical facts, but often they need to feel that something is the right thing to do as well. Good speech writers know this, which is why they throw in moving phrases, like "I have a dream," to accompany their fact-based arguments.

Pro tip: try to not bore your audience. But also, don't sacrifice accuracy for pizzazz…unless you're playing Scrabble, in which case you'd hit the mother lode.

Jefferson, in fact, begins the Declaration of Independence by making people feel significant simply for being human. After all, "all men are created equal," and "they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" (2). He begins this way to show both American and British folks that the colonists deserve to be treated respectfully, because they're equal to their British overlords.

If you've been angry about years of being mistreated, someone declaring publicly that you deserve respect is going to lift your spirits. It's even more inspiring when you put this idea into greater historical context, and think about how the hierarchy of class and status had dominated European culture for centuries.

Until the Enlightenment, claiming everyone was equal would have been laughable. Not like Saturday Night Live laughable, but like "silly peasant, Trix—er, rights—are for kids—er, kings" laughable.

Many countries had spent centuries believing in the divine right of kings, which was effectively taken down by things like the American Revolution. A governmental body telling every person that they deserved the same treatment as everyone else was a powerful new idea, even if its execution in reality it had some pretty serious limitations.

Jefferson also uses negative language as an inspirational tool, using more illustrative words to portray the British in a negative light. Reminding people of their oppression would help brew their frustration and anger, and strengthen their determination to fight their oppressors.

He begins by claiming that the British government has become "destructive" (4) in their role, and goes on to claim that King George III has "a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States" (8) These "injuries and usurpations" go against the purpose of government as an institution.

Then he writes the lengthy list of abuses, including a whole bunch of fun memories such as:

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…He has obstructed the Administration of Justice… For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world…He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat [sic] the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely .paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. (14, 17, 26, 33, 35)

That last one in particular makes the king look pretty bad. Sending mercenaries to bring "death, desolation and tyranny" to your subjects is not really a hallmark of a good leader.

The whole list is meant to remind the readers of what they're angry about, by emphasizing the worst things the king (and Parliament) have done, focusing especially on actions that contradict the colonial idea of government being responsible for the rights of the people.

In doing so, Jefferson inspires the readers to support his argument for independence by stirring up their past and present feelings of anger, frustration, and disappointment, in combination with the more positive ideas of equality that are being offered by the colonial government.

What would you choose, the guy who is apparently about to rain death down upon you, or the one who says that you deserve the right to pursue the life you want, just because you're a human being?

Let's hope you chose the latter.