1. Classicism, The Age of Reason, - or - Neoclassicism

2. Neo = New Original classic period – Ancient Greeks and Romans (Republics, Democracy, etc)

3. Birth of America and American Philosophy: --All men created equal --No king --Representation in Government, etc.

4. Separation from King George The American Revolution happened in Declaration of Independence written in 1776

5. Thinkers of the time believed in reason vs
Thinkers of the time believed in reason vs. emotion (Unlike the Puritans)

6. Reason was dependent upon Freedom
--Freedom of speech
--Freedom from oppressive leaders
--Freedom to question all things (including religion and king)

7. Unlike the puritans, these writers are not concerned with the hereafter. Instead they were interested in enacting change in the this world

8. Unlike their European contemporaries, these American writers were able to test their theories of reason and freedom – hence, The United States of America

9. The flipside of the American Revolution, known as the War of Words:
Speeches
Essays
Pamphlets
Songs
Poems

10. Authors:
Patrick Henry
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Paine

11. Patrick Henry:
Considered one of the best, most powerful, American orators (speakers)
Remembered for saying: “Give me liberty or give me death!”
Henry was a lawyer by trade. His most famous case – sued the king of England and won.
His speech at the Virginia convention is considered to be directly responsible for persuading members to sign the Declaration of In dependence

12. Benjamin Franklin Considered “The First American”
This means he was the first to think and act like an American
“Boot strap theory”

13. Franklin is famous for….
Writer:
Helped write Declaration of Independence
Constitution of U.S.A.
Poor Richard’s Almanac
His Biography
Scientist:
Lightning rod
Bifocals
Discovered laws of electricity
Franklin stove
Etc.
Other:
First postmaster general
First volunteer fire department

14. Thomas Jefferson:
Wrote The Declaration of Independence (with help from Ben Franklin and John Adams)
Served as our 3rd and 4th president
Doubled the size of America with the Louisiana purchase
He and John Adams both died on the 4th of July in 1826 – 50 years to the day of the approval of the declaration that they both wrote.

15. Thomas Paine: England-born political philosopher and writer
Helped shape many of the ideas that marked the Age of Revolution
Wrote “Common Sense” and “The Crisis” papers during the American Revolution
Believed that in a world “overrun with oppression,” America would be “an asylum for mankind.”

16. Review of Rhetorical Devices: Turn your paper over!!
Remember! These are tools that speakers and writers use on the audience to get what they want.
It is the impact their words have on the listener!

17. What is Pathos? Emotional appeal
If the author says something to make the audience feel emotion.
This can be any emotion – fear, anger, guilt, patriotism, etc.

18. What is Logos? Logical appeal
This is when an author uses logic to try to convince his audience of something.
Most often you see this in the form of statistics (data) or “if, then” statements.

19. What is Ethos? Ethical appeal
This is when the author says something to make himself seem like someone the audience can trust or believe in.
“I have years of experience”
“I’ve been where you are”
“This is our problem”

20. Other Rhetorical Devices: (A.K.A. Homework)
Repetition
Rhetorical questions
Parallelism
Allusions – include an example of an historical allusion, a biblical allusion, and a literary allusion!!
For tomorrow: Using your prior knowledge, the internet, or a dictionary, define the four devices above on your own.