The Age of ReasonThe Age of Reason1750-18001750-1800

Ben Franklin

Patrick Henry

Thomas Paine

Thomas Jefferson

The Age of Reason AKA…The Age of Reason AKA…

The The EnlightenmentEnlightenmentThe Neoclassical The Neoclassical PeriodPeriod

Topics of the Age of ReasonTopics of the Age of Reason

ScienceGovernment

EthicsHow important are these topics in today’s society?

Literary FormsLiterary Forms of the Age of Reason of the Age of Reason

•Biographies/Autobiographies•Government Documents•Newspapers/Pamphlets•A little poetry•Speeches•No Fiction

•The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin•The Declaration of Independence•Common Sense/ The Crisis•Speech at the Virginia Convention

RhetoricRhetoricThe art of using language The art of using language persuasively. persuasively. SituationSituationPurposePurposeAudienceAudienceMethodMethod EthosEthos PathosPathos LogosLogos

•Appeals based upon perceived reputation.

•Appeals based upon emotions.

•Appeals based upon logic.

•(We will study these shortly!)

Authors we will studyAuthors we will studyBenjamin FranklinThomas Paine

Patrick Henry

Thomas JeffersonOludah Equiano

Facts about Franklin:Benjamin Franklin was the embodiment of the American Dream-came from poverty to achieve fame and fortune.America’s first millionaireHe was an inventor, scientist, statesman, printer, philosopher, diplomat, and writer.He invented bifocals, the Franklin stove, the rocking chair, the lightning rod, the odometer.He established the first public library, the first fire company, and the first fire insurance company.

Poor Richard’s Almanack

Poor Richard’s Almanack sold 10 thousand copiesContained many aphorisms: Short pointed statements that express a wide or clever observation about the human experience.“Never confuse motion with action.”

Patrick Henry

Born 1736Died 1799Educated by his father (including reading Latin). Studied law on his own.

Henry was a lawyer and a member of the Virginia House of BurgessesFirst governor of Virginia under the new constitutionFive-term governor of VirginiaHenry was also a well know orator (speaker)

“Speech to the Second Virginia Convention”

“Speech” was delivered in 1775Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians to arm in self-defense, closing his appeal with the immortal words: "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."

He was dissatisfied with the federal constitution and opposed its ratification in 1788. He felt that it gave the general government too much power.

Thomas Jefferson

Wrote The Declaration of Independence, the most important American document of the 18th Century in 1776.Born in 1743 in VirginiaWas the 3rd of 10 childrenDuring his youth, studied for 15 hours a dayHad a great love for music, especially the violin

Served as the 3rd president of the US for two termsBelieved that all men are created equalJefferson was a lawyer before entering politicsCreated separation of church and state

Believed that slavery was a war on humanity; we are all born free in natureDesigned the University of Virginia and his own personal residence Monticello.Died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (the same day as John Adams).