Declaration of Independence Project

The Declaration of Independence was an announcement to the world that the

13 American colonies had permanently separated with Great Britain and had
formed their own independent nation, the United States of America. In the
document, Thomas Jefferson (primary author) included four key
components: 1) the preamble, 2) the colonies’ justification for revolution, 3)
a list of grievances against King George III and the colonies’ efforts at
reconciliation, and 4) the actual declaration statement. Delegates from all 13
colonies signed the document.

You will develop your own Declaration of Independence, with one

distinction: you will declare your independence from your parents, not
from Great Britain. You must follow Jefferson’s model and include 1) your
justification including a preamble, 2) a list of grievances against your
parents, 3) your efforts at reconciliation, and 4) a declaration statement. In
addition, you will include 5) your future goals as an independent young
adult and 6) signatures from every member of your group.

While you can simply type your “Declaration of Independence” and submit
that as your final work, I am offering an extra credit opportunity for students
who go above and beyond in the physical presentation of their Declaration
of Independence. What does this mean? It means that if you can think of an
interesting and creative way to present your Declaration of Independence,
then I will offer up a variable amount of extra credit.
 How Do I Write My Declaration?
1) State your justification for declaring your independence from your
parents. It should be based on the idea that, if your parents have
responsibilities as your guardians, and they are not living up to those
responsibilities, then it is your right to disband from them. Be sure to put it
in your own words.

EXAMPLE: “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably
the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their
right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for
their future security”

2) List 5 grievances that you have against your parents. How have they
failed in their responsibilities? How have they treated you unfairly? Use
your imagination if necessary.

EXAMPLE: “He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with
manly firmness his invasions on the rights of people.”

3) State your attempts at reconciliation. Again, use your imagination.

EXAMPLE: “In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in
the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated
injury.”

4) Make a specific statement that declares your independence.

EXAMPLE: “We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in

General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world …
declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and
Independent States…”

5) State your future goals as an independent person. What do you plan to do

with your new-found freedom? How will you support yourself? There is no
example for this in the Declaration of Independence.

6) Sign the document with you best signature.

 Declaration of Independence Project Rubric (Out of 60)

Not Present (0) Minimal Work Acceptable Work Superior Work

(3) (7) (10)
Justification No justification is A justification is A justification is A justification is
present present, but does present and utilizes present, utilizes the
not utilize social the ideas of the ideas of social
contract theory social contract, but contract, and
only from the recognizes the
perspective of one obligations of both
party parties.
5 Grievances No grievances are Only 1 grievance Only 3 grievances 5 clearly explained
present is present are present grievances are
present
Reconciliation No reconciliation Reconciliation is Discusses Specific examples of
is present present, but does reconciliation, but attempts at
not make sense in does not address reconciliation are
context with the specific actions present
listed grievances taken
Independence No independence Independence Independence Independence
Statement statement is statement is statement models statement models
present present, but does Jefferson’s Jefferson’s
not model statement, but does statement, and is
Jefferson’s a poor job updating relevant and
statement it to the student’s eloquently stated
current situation
Goals No goals are Only 1 or 2 goals Several goals are Goals listed are
present are listed and are listed but are very creative, unique, and
not very basic impressive
impressive
Grammar & No grammar or Grammar & Grammar & At most, there are 1
Spelling spelling to evaluate spelling are so spelling errors or 2 grammatical
flawed, work is detract from the errors
almost impossible easy of reading the
to read document
Creativity (Extra The final product Declaration shows Declaration shows Declaration is
Credit) is simply a word hints of creativity. some elements of presented in
processor creativity but is not incredibly unique
document. as unique as the and creative manner
Superior category.