Our Declaration

Allen reminds her readers that to understand a document, we must consider its audience, what kind of document it is, and how its various parts advance its function. She asserts that the Declaration is “a memo, that announces, and thereby brings about a change, while also explaining it” (85). As a memo, the Declaration explains something about the world and calls for action. Specifically, it describes how the British government is not working and announces that the colonies are forming a new system. At the same time, it calls its readers to “joint action, revolt from Britain” (85). Allen points out that all people are familiar with organizing group actions, making decisions, and anticipating where problems may arise—such as in the case of planning Thanksgiving dinner and who will bring what dish. The Declaration, as a memo and piece of democratic writing, “is helping to organize a group of people” (87). But “to be democratic, a memo must offer principles” (87), a list of reasons and judgments for a particular action. Allen points out that even business memos, like a resignation memo, describe a set of circumstances and the values compelling the author to action. Memos are a part of ordinary life, even if the Declaration is a particularly stirring example of the