Next
we will practice close reading of a document. The document we will read is one
of the most significant documents in American, if not human, history: The
Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. THE AMERICAN ENGLISH EXPRESS Chapter 6 page 1
Next
we will practice close reading of a document. The document we will read is one
of the most significant documents in American, if not human, history: The
Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.
DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. THIS WILL LIKELY BE THE MOST DIFFICULT DOCUMENT YOU WILL READ
IF YOU LEARN TO READ THIS, YOU CAN READ ANYTHING!
This was the document that declared (announced) what is known as the ‘American Revolution’.
For example, in reference to an automobile engine, you may have heard the expression “RPMs”. This stands for ‘revolutions per minute” or how many times the engine turns the crankshaft completely around (‘rotates’) in one minute. In this use, a ‘revolution’ is a rotation: one turn of the crankshaft.
With regard to
‘rotation’, I always ask my students how long it takes for the earth to rotate
completely around the sun. How long does it take for one full circle? That’s
right, one day.
When
you use the word ‘rotate’, as in “If the earth ‘rotates’ around the sun, then
‘one day’ can be referred to as one ‘rotation’.
When you use the word ‘revolve, as in “If the earth ‘revolves’ around the sun, then ‘one day’ can be referred to as one ’revolution’.
In political science or history, a ‘revolution’ can be a ‘rebellion’ (an ‘uprising against an existing government) or a ‘transformation’ (any “change in the form of government’).
The American Revolution began on July 4, 1776, when the 13 original American Colonies declared independence from England.
Copyright: 2004 English 4 All, Inc.