Personal Declaration of Independence: Writing Assignment
Due Date:

Thursday November 19th (3rd and 7th period) or Friday November 20th (2nd
period).
Description of Assignment:
You are to write your own Declaration of Independence using the 1776 American
Declaration of Independence as your model.
You are to declare your independence from something that is problem for you, something
that makes your life difficult, stressful, or unhappy. The best pieces of writing come
from those who take this piece seriously.
Your declaration must include the same four parts as the American Declaration does:




Preamble: The reason for the document
Your truths or beliefs and your relationship to the thing you are breaking away
from.
Complaints (grievances) against the thing you are breaking with.
Formal declaration of independence from the thing you are breaking with.
Length:
U.S. History and Career: 200 words minimum
U.S. History Advanced: 250 words minimum
Requirements:
Times New Roman, 12 size font, and must be typed.
Rubric for Personal Declaration of Independence:
Contains all four parts
10
Follows formatting
Neat and legible
5
5
Preamble
15
 Declares reason for the document that shows thought concerning the writer’s
relationship to the topic and on whom the changes suggested in this document
might have an affect.
 Is clear and understandable by an outside reader.
 Is specific.

Phrasing alludes to model document.
Truths and relationships
15
 Expresses what writer believes to be true about life and living it well
 Explains what a positive relationship should be
 Is clear and specific.
 Phrasing alludes to model document.
Complaints
15
 Shows how relationship is not achieving its positive aims
 Makes specific claims concerning problems
 Makes use of parallelism.
 Phrasing alludes to model document.
Formal declaration
15
 States for the record what the new relationship will be.
 Gives a new name to the author in reference to being free from the negative
 Phrasing alludes to model document
Style
10
 Word choice shows age/grade appropriate level of vocabulary use
 Sentence structures show age/grade appropriate level of variety and art
 Uses figurative language to communicate complex ideas
Writing Conventions
10
 Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation
Source:
www.mtgilead.k12.oh.us (Personal Declaration of Independence document)