Analyzing processes, participants, and circumstances

In June 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee.

Process: appointed

Participants: the Continental Congress, a committee

Circumstance: In June 1776

Types of processes (in verb groups) – Action

The Congress appointed a committee.

– Saying Locke asserted that people had the right to

rebel against an unjust ruler.

– Thinking/feeling The colonists believed that their rights had been

violated.

– Describing/defining The best governments are the ones that respect

human rights.

Different processes have different kinds of participants

– Action: Actor and Receiver/Goal The Congress appointed a committee.

– Saying: Sayer and Message Locke asserted that people had the right to

rebel against an unjust ruler.

– Thinking/feeling: Thinker/feeler and Message The colonists believed that their rights had been violated.

– Describing/defining: Described/Defined and Description/Definition

The best governments are the ones that respect human rights.

Task

•  With a partner, identify the participants in the different kinds of processes in the Declaration of Independence text

Declaration of Independence: Processes and Participants

Holt, Rinehart, Winston (2000). Call to Freedom. Austin: Harcourt Brace & Company. P.193

In June 1776, Actor The suggestion of Richard Henry Lee of Virginia

Action process influenced

Receiver/Goal the Continental Congress

In June 1776,

Actor The suggestion of Richard Henry Lee of Virginia

Action process influenced

Receiver/Goal the Continental Congress

the Continental Congress

appointed a five-person committee

In June 1776,

Actor The suggestion of Richard Henry Lee of Virginia

Action process influenced

Receiver/Goal the Continental Congress

the Continental Congress

appointed a five-person committee

(a five-person committee)

to write a document

In June 1776,

Actor The suggestion of Richard Henry Lee of Virginia

Action process influenced

Receiver/Goal the Continental Congress

the Continental Congress

appointed a five-person committee

(a five-person committee)

to write a document

a document declaring the colonies’ independence

Declaration of Independence

Participant The committee

Describing process included

Participant John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston

Declaration of Independence

Participant The committee

Describing process included

Participant John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston

Jefferson was the primary author of the document

Declaration of Independence

Speaker The Declaration of Independence

Saying process defined

Message what colonists believed to be their rights

Declaration of Independence

Speaker The Declaration of Independence

Saying process defined

Message what colonists believed to be their rights

(The Declaration) spelled out their complaints against Britain

Declaration of Independence

Speaker The Declaration of Independence

Saying process defined

Message what colonists believed to be their rights

(The Declaration) spelled out their complaints against Britain

(The Declaration) declared that the colonies were free and independent

Declaration of Independence

Actor The Declaration

Action process captured

Receiver/Goal the spirit of Thomas Paine’s ideas

Declaration of Independence

Actor The Declaration

Action process captured

Receiver/Goal the spirit of Thomas Paine’s ideas

The Declaration strongly criticizing King George III

Declaration of Independence

Actor (King George III)

Action process depriving

Receiver/Goal the colonists of trial by jury

Declaration of Independence

Actor (King George III)

Action process depriving

Receiver/Goal the colonists of trial by jury

(King George III) imposing taxes without the colonists’ consent

Declaration of Independence

Actor (King George III)

Action process depriving

Receiver/Goal the colonists of trial by jury

(King George III) imposing taxes without the colonists’ consent

(King George III) dissolving colonial charters and legislatures

Declaration of Independence

Actor (King George III)

Action process depriving

Receiver/Goal the colonists of trial by jury

(King George III) imposing taxes without the colonists’ consent

(King George III) dissolving colonial charters and legislatures

(King George III) committing two dozen other alleged crimes

Declaration of Independence

Thinker/Speaker

The writers of the document

Thinking/Saying process drew inspiration

Message

XXXXXXXXX

Declaration of Independence

Thinker/Speaker

The writers of the document

Thinking/Saying process drew inspiration

Message

XXXXXXXXX

Enlightenment Philosophers

thought that government was a social contract between people and their ruler

Declaration of Independence

Thinker/Speaker

The writers of the document

Thinking/ Saying process drew inspiration

Message

XXXXXXXXX

Enlightenment Philosophers

thought that government was a social contract between people and their ruler

The philosophers said the best governments were those that respected the “natural rights” of individuals – basic rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Declaration of Independence

Thinker/Speaker

The writers of the document

Thinking/ Saying process drew inspiration

Message

XXXXXXXXX

Enlight. Philosophers thought that government was a social contract between people and their ruler

The philosophers said the best governments were those that respected the “natural rights” of individuals – basic rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Britain’s John Locke had added that if the people determined that their ruler or form of government was corrupt, the people had a right to overthrow it.

Declaration of Independence Thus,

Thinker/Speaker

The authors of the Declaration

Thinking/ saying process claimed

Message

that King George III was “unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”

Declaration of Independence Thus,

Thinker/Speaker

The authors of the Declaration

Thinking/ saying process claimed

Message

that King George III was “unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”

(The authors of the Declaration)

said it was “their duty, to throw off such Government.”

Declaration of Independence On July 4, 1776,

Actor Members of the Continental Congress

Action process approved

Receiver/Goal the Declaration of independence

Declaration of Independence On July 4, 1776,

Actor Members of the Continental Congress

Action process approved

Receiver/Goal the Declaration of independence

Members of the Continental Congress (?)/ Declaration of Independence)

dissolving all allegiance to the British Crown

Declaration of Independence On July 4, 1776,

Actor Members of the Continental Congress

Action process approved

Receiver/Goal the Declaration of independence

Members of the Continental Congress (?)/ Declaration of Independence)

dissolving all allegiance to the British Crown

Members of the Continental Congress (?)/ Declaration of Independence)

creating the United States of America