This module is for High School Activity 3

Activity 3 – Passage 2

Now continue practicing with a new passage from the Declaration of Independence.

Passage 2: First Half of Paragraph 2 of the Declaration of Independence We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.  Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

Think back again to the steps for generating a text-dependent question. Step One requires that students focus on core understandings. Additionally, remember to anchor your questions in the standards. Notice the portions of the standards that are highlighted that direct your attention to what is most important. 

Step Four requires students to tackle tough questions head on.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.5
Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.9
Analyze seventeenth-, eighteenth-, and nineteenth-century foundational U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (including The Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address) for their themes, purposes, and rhetorical features.

Highlighted words in the standards indicate key words in the standards to help guide in the creation of text-dependent questions.

In this next passage of the Declaration of Independence, it is important to direct students to dig deeper into an understanding of the author’s purpose relevant to separation of England.

Check Your Understanding

Now, check your understanding of what would make a good text-dependent question for this passage. Select an answer from the options below and click Submit.