Question

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.

—The Declaration of Independence

How might the Declaration of Independence be different if it had been written for modern Americans? Check the boxes next to any statements you agree with.

Only proper nouns and words at the beginning of sentences would be capitalized.

Sentences would be shorter and clearer.

The text would refer to both men and women.

The vocabulary might be simpler.

Answer 1

[x] Only proper nouns and words at the beginning of sentences would be capitalized.
- Modern English capitalization rules are simpler than 18th-century stylistic capitalization.

[x] Sentences would be shorter and clearer.
- Contemporary writing favors shorter, more direct sentences for readability.

[x] The text would refer to both men and women.
- Today writers would use gender-inclusive language (e.g., "people" or "men and women").

[x] The vocabulary might be simpler.
- Many of the Declaration's formal, rhetorical words would likely be replaced with more familiar terms for a broad audience.