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Which student response best answers the text-dependent question:

Compare Governor Morris's viewpoint about the topic to that of Thomas Jefferson's in the Declaration of Independence below. How does each author use rhetorical features to reveal his purpose relevant to the issue of American independence? Use details from both texts to support your answer.

A. Both authors believe that it is the right of the American people to establish their independence from England and they both use rhetorical strategies to support their view. Morris uses repetition of phrases beginning with powerful verbs to emphasize to the reader how perfect, just, and tranquil we are as people. The Jefferson text uses hyperbole to vilify Britain by stating what they are doing as 'absolute tyranny.' Both texts make it clear that the colonists have a just and pure necessity to separate from the oppressive Britain.

B. Both authors believe that the United States are the good guys. The authors go on and on about what a great nation we are. They keep saying we should be able to do what we want and that things should change.

C. Thomas Jefferson believes there has been a lot of abuse from England toward the United States. He believes that it is the right of the United States to break free from how difficult things have gotten with England. He continues to talk about what has happened that makes it a good idea to become independent. Governor Morris basically agrees. That is why they are the same in their thinking.

D. Governor Morris and Thomas Jefferson both despise how England has treated the colonists. They do not like how tyrannical things have become. They think independence will fix things for the colonists. They hope for a better and brighter future for all people. They wish for brighter days and don't want any more abuse from a powerful government.

Answer: Correct. This response shows evidence that the student is staying focused on answering the question that was asked. The question demands that the student compare the purposes of the authors and HOW the authors use rhetorical strategies to present their purpose. The student goes on to give very explicit examples from the text that show the rhetorical strategies in use, such as repetition and hyperbole. The student does not lose site of how these rhetorical strategies serve the purposes of each of the authors. Incorrect. This response indicates that the student understands the essence in these documents; however, the student uses generalities and informal language to discuss the text. Additionally, the student does not give any text evidence or reference the use of rhetorical strategies. Try again. Incorrect. This response focuses mostly on Thomas Jefferson's viewpoint. The student focuses too much on summarizing Jefferson's viewpoint without analyzing the rhetorical strategies used to support that viewpoint. The student glosses over Governor Morris' purpose and does not offer explicit evidence from the text nor tackle the rhetorical strategies that Morris uses. Try again. Incorrect. While this response deals with both authors' purposes and makes some general references to the text, it does not specifically analyze the rhetorical references that the authors use to support the overall purpose. The student speculates about the authors' wishes and does not stay anchored in the texts. Try again.