AP Language and Composition
The Declaration of Sentiments Rhetorical Analysis Task
Name:____________________
TASK: Compare and contrast The Declaration of Sentiments with the document after which it was
modeled, the Declaration of Independence. Analyze the rhetorical strategies and discuss the overall
effectiveness of the Declaration of Sentiments. (Note: The initial audience for this piece was a crowd of
three hundred supporters for the equality of women, forty of whom were men. Additionally, th e authors
wrote the document with male lawmakers (at both the state and federal levels) in mind. Ultimately, the
document was written for the people of the United States. Consider these audiences as you craft your
responses.)
AP Scoring Component 4: The course requires students to produce one or more expository writing
assignments. Topics should be based on readings representing a wide variety of prose styles and genres
and might include such topics as public policies, popular culture, and personal experiences
Consider the titles of the documents. Discuss the difference between a Declaration of
Independence and a Declaration of Sentiments.
The Declaration of Independence opens by speaking about the political right of a people to
“assume among the powers of the earth, the Separate and equal station to which the Laws of
Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them.” What is the comparable opening claim in The
Declaration of Sentiments? To what exactly are women (as women, specifically) entitled by
“the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”?
The paragraph about self-evident truths of the Declaration of Independence issues a defense of
the right (and duty) of political revolution. What is the conclusion of the comparable
paragraph of the Declaration of Sentiments?
The first of the 15 grievances listed against man is the denial of woman’s “inalienable right to
the elective franchise.” Why is this mentioned first? How does it inform or ground the other
grievances? Is the right to vote an “inalienable right,” to be regarded equally with the Creatorendowed rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Why or why not?
Highlight or list the personal, social, cultural, and religious grievances using different colored
pens or different symbols. How are the personal, social, and cultural grievances related to the
religious grievances? Are all of these things necessarily connected?
Were Stanton and Mott wise to use the Declaration of Independence as their model? Defend
your answer.