by: Thomas Jefferson

Resources about the Declaration of Independence

1. Jefferson, Thomas. The Declaration of Independence, 1776. 1911. Google Books. Dept. of State, 18 Oct. 2007. Web. 21 June 2010. <http://books.google.com/books?id=TNRCAAAAIAAJ&dq=declaration+of+independence&source=gbs_navlinks_s>.
This Google Book is a transcription of The Declaration of Independence. It gives the text in its entirety, including the list of signers. The text details the various reasons the United States has chosen to separate from Great Britain. It is a very credible source because it was published by the Department of State.

2. Jefferson, Thomas. "Declaration of Independence." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, 4 July 1995. Web. 21 June 2010. <http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration>.
This website has an extravagant amount of information on the Declaration of Independence. There are links to each piece of information, which keeps the information organized and easy to navigate. There are links to the text of the Declaration, various pictures, Jefferson’s account of the writing of the Declaration, information related to the topic, and a timeline as well as a link to the list of signers. The link I found most useful was the link to Jefferson’s Account of the writing of the Declaration. This page gives excerpts of commentary better explaining the words of Jefferson, making it easier to understand the context in which the document was written. This website also states that the Declaration of Independence is now exhibited in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom in Washington, DC. This website is credible because it is published by The Independence Hall Association, a nonprofit group that was founded in 1942 to oversee the creation of the Independence National History Park. They helped reconstruct the Declaration house and are constantly updating their sources to ensure the history is accurate.

3. "Declaration of Independence," World Almanac: Funk and Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, 2008. <http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org.ezp.mc.maricopa.edu/WebZ/FSFETCH?fetchtype=fullrecord:sessionid=fsapp10-58171-fho2nii6-uj125f:entitypagenum=9:0:recno=32:resultset=2:format=FI:next=html/record.html:bad=error/badfetch.html:entitytoprecno=32:entitycurrecno=32:numrecs=1>
This site is credible because it was found on the MCC library database. The MCC logo is in the top right hand corner when you are searching on the site, showing you that the site is credible and that the school believes they will provide us with reliable information. This site provides us with information about the basics about the Declaration of Indepedence and how it evolved. According to the web site, the DOI provided the 13th British colonies of America independence from the British crown and allowed them to be free on July, 4 1776. Richard Henry Lee motioned for the DOI on June 7 but was deferred till later. Thomas Jefferson drafted the DOI.

4. "Declaration of Independence." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. 10 June 2009. <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9042263>.
This website’s main purpose is to serve as an encyclopedia on multiple varieties of subjects in order to provide useful peer reviewed information to its inquirers. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence during the period of enlightenment, and reflects various ideas and values of the time in the text. This site is credible because it is a trusted resource and peer reviewed as well.

5. Boyd, Julian P. Declaration of Independence: The Evolution of a Text. Washington: Library of Congress, 1999. Library of Congress. Web. 21 June 2010. <http://catalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&BBID=3091189&v3=1>.
This source goes in depth on the process through which the Declaration of Independence was written. The book says that Jefferson wrote the famous document on behalf of all Americans and what he felt was the collective mentality. It also explains that there were several people involved in the drafting of the Declaration, not just Thomas Jefferson on his own. This source came from the Library of Congress and includes images of the original drafts of the Declaration of Independence. It is definitely a reliable source because it comes from a government agency.

Declaration of Independence. Digital image. Web Guides. Library of Congress, 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 20 June 2010. <http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/declara/images/geow.jpg>.

Links to Text

Declaration of Independence on GoogleBooks

Declaration of Independence on World CAT

Declaration of Independence on Amazon Library

Declaration of Independence on USHistory.org

Declaration of Independence on The Charters of Freedom


The Declaration of Independence. Dir. Mcaggia. Perf. Mel Gibson and Michael Douglas. YouTube. 12 Sept. 2007. Web. 21 June 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxTvS-kyHzs>.


FirewareOSBA. "School House Rock - Fireworks." YouTube. 15 Apr. 2007. Web. 22 June 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLP_HGKq-jg>.

Insight Papers
A Declaration Of Identity
A Nation Built on Diversity

Relevant Literary Themes
Diversity: The Declaration of Independence was built on diversity and equality.
Identity:The document constructed a distinct identity for the independent nation, one who valued equality and natural rights.
The American Dream:The document boasted of a new independence, and a land where each citizen was entitled to success and happiness.

Relevant Literary Terms
Tone and Style:Jefferson adopts a distinct style and voice for the text, which contributes to a formal and slightly angry tone.
Word Choice: Jefferson is selective in his word choice, emphasizing strong verbs to convey various injustices the King has committed.
Rhythm: The list of infractions adopts a rhythmic measure from repetition.