Consider the title, keywords, their implications and their impact on the artifact * Declaration- a formal announcement *Sentiments- an expression or reflection of feelings, thoughts, opinions or emotions. Deriving from the word "sentimental" which means: feeling or opinion. * Women were often called "delusional" and "sentimental" as a result of the views shared by a patriarchal society. Consider Stanton's deliberate choice to use the word "sentiments" in the title of an artifact that lists the grievances of a man centered society and government.

Consider the time period of the artifact and how it affects not only the artifact, but the implications and impact made by the artifact. * This artifact took place in July 1848, 72 years after Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband and Founding Father, John Adams. In her letter, she essentially warned Adams of what the future would hold if governing men continued to refuse to recognize Women's Rights.

Consider the relevancy of statements in present day * While women in the U.S. today have the right to vote and own property, women in states where abortion rights are limited or nonexistent continue fighting for the power over their own bodies and their ability to reproduce.

The 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920, granting women across the U.S. the right to vote

With Generic Criticism, identify the situation, the content, and the organizing principle of the artifact 1. The situation that Stanton writes in is the official takeoff of the Women's Rights Movement, which she is a victim of and a soldier for. At this point, she has advocated for women's rights and been on the frontlines of the movement. 2. Stanton delivers a powerful and emotional speech that details the lived experiences of American women who are controlled by American men and treated as property rather than human beings. Stanton uses various rhetorical devices to appeal to her audience and encourage action towards the movement for equality. 3. Stanton's organizing principle is a call to action. She implores the men and women in her audience to recognize the contradictory nature of women's lives in America in relation to the Declaration of Independence and the moral ground that the country was establishes on.

With Neo-Aristotelian Criticism, identify and analyze the use of inductive reasoning within the artifact and how it contributes to the artifact overall * By highlighting her audience's long held experiences and “history” with her argument, Stanton fosters a sense of solidarity and urgency for change, thereby enhancing her persuasive impact. She appeals to the collective and shared suffering of all women in order to cross through between the barriers that men have built, and address the reason for which they have gathered.

With Neo-Aristotelian Criticism, identify and analyze the use of deductive reasoning throughout your artifact and the contributions they make to the artifact overall * Stanton establishes a major premise that a body of people who are denied their inalienable rights have the right to overthrow or demand change from the individuals in power. The second premise that she establishes is that throughout history, men have held totalitarian and unjust power over women in society. In doing this, Stanton prompts the conclusion that women have the right to overthrow or demand progressive change from the powers that govern them. This not only allows her to clearly state her goals, but to also assert her justification and dominance within the given situation.

Consider the social climate of the time period the artifact takes place in and the implications made by that * Divorce in the 18th century was uncommon, frowned upon, and required proof of significant marital misconduct such as abandonment or cruelty. Divorce was primarily available to men, and women were hesitant to seek divorce because their husbands were their outlet to survival. * Today, divorce is much easier for either party to pursue, and the custody of children is either peacefully determined by the parents or handed off to a court of law to determine best.

A 1914 map by the National American Woman Suffrage Association displays the progress of the Movement for Women's Rights across the U.S., with the first state to grant women the right to vote being Wyoming, followed by Utah, Colorado, Idaho and Washington D.C.

A picture of a census document from 1850, showing that the ratio of men to women in the United States 2 years following the artifact. By stating that these are the sentiments shared by HALF of the population of the country, Stanton makes a bold statement about the numbers behind her fight, as well as the injustice of the way things had been going for women for decades prior.

Wesleyan College, Middletown, Connecticut The first college to open it's doors to female students in 1836

Consider the implications being made beyond the actual statements being made within the artifact * Stanton crosses a line of distinction here to go so far as stating that men haven't only limited women politically and economically, but they have dehumanized them as well. By limiting women in the world of employment and refusing to allow them the freedom to explore, men effectively hindered women's' ability to grow, develop, think critically, etc. Stanton asserts that halting the progress of women's success and achievements within society is an agenda that has been longstanding and will continue to go on, if it is not dismantled by the efforts of the very women that it affects.

Consider the author/speaker of the artifact and their role/position on the subject matter. Does the person satisfy any aspect of ethos? * Elizabeth Cady Stanton was chosen to be the speaker for the Declaration of Sentiments primarily because of the leadership role she took on throughout the movement. She was one of the principal organizers of the convention along with Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony. Stanton was solidified as one of the prominent figures of the Women's Right's Movement early on. * Stanton employs ethos by being the speaker for the artifact, as at this point, she is well known for her activism and support for Women's rights. She later does justice upon her ethos by presenting well though out, concise, and harrowing statements about the U.S. government's lack of consideration towards the female population.

Consider the pathos employed by the rhetor throughout the artifact and the contributions it makes to the overall impact * Stanton has just consecutively listed the grievances of the American women against the American government, evoking strong emotions with her choices of oppressive keywords including "denied" and "withheld." In doing so, she appeals to her female audience and unites their struggles together in one powerful voice demanding change.

Consider the economic climate of the time period your artifact takes place in * Until 1900, women in all states of America did not have protection over their wages, which meant their father or husband had ownership over their earned wages. Therefore, property is sold, bought and exchanged, and women are entirely excluded from any economic aspect of society. With that, women have been excluded economically by denying them the right to their money, politically by denying them the right to their voting opinions, and socially by denying them the respect of fellow human beings and degrading them on the sole basis of their gender.

Consider the social climate of the time period that the artifact takes place in. * In 18th and 19th century America, marriages were simple and private, usually involving the parties being married, their immediate family, and a Priest. Before marriage, a young woman was considered to be the property of her father. Following marriage, she became the property of her husband. * While the concept of a father transferring ownership of his daughter to her husband sounds traditional and "old cultured," think about wedding traditions that are still widely practiced today. The father, walking his daughter down the aisle, the removal of the garter - and consider what these practices reassert about how our society views and treats women.

A political cartoon that portrays the trivial nature of voting in early America - Captioned: "The Early Days of Voting in America: A Lot of White Men Drinking in Taverns."

With Feminist Critique Theory, identify the gendered language and the contributions made to the artifact overall * Stanton states "sufferance of women" as she appeals to a crowd of primarily white women, along with men. Jefferson wrote "sufferance of these colonies" as he appealed only to white, land owning men.

Identify the rhetorical choices made by the author and identify how they contribute to the artifact. * By echoing Thomas Jefferson's voice in "The Declaration of Independence," Stanton strategically aligns the struggles of the Women's Rights Movement with the foundational democratic principles of the United States Government. Not only does this help emphasize contradictions between the ideals of the nation and the lack of Women's rights, it underscores the legitimacy of the movement as an extension of American values. * With Feminist Critique Theory, identify the choices of gendered language. Stanton chooses to state "all men and women" rather than "all men" as Thomas Jefferson did. In doing so, Stanton deconstructs the idea of male superiority and asserts equality for men and women.

Consider the structure of the artifact and how it contributes to it's rhetorical success * Stanton follows in suit of "The Declaration of Independence," which aids her in aligning women's fights for rights with the United States' fight for independence from Great Britain. * With Feminist Critique Theory, examine the choice of words that follow: compelled, withheld, deprived etc., through which Stanton demands amendments to the grievances of women.

Consider the audience the artifact was presented to, and how it affects the purpose/goal of the artifact, how it may have been received. * The artifact was presented at the Seneca Falls Convention which had a primarily female audience and was made up of individuals who were either fighting for or had an interest in fighting for Women's rights. Frederick Douglass, a frontrunner of the abolitionist movement was in attendance as well as activists such as Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony. We can assume that the sentiments and feelings evoked in the artifact were relatable to the audience and received with passion and power towards coming together to fight for the civil liberties of women. * With Feminist Critique Theory, analyzing the intersectionality's of the audience such as race and gender emphasizes the interconnected nature of gender with other social identities.

A sketch of the Seneca Falls Convention room

A roster of the attendance at the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 includes Lucrecia Mott, Frederick Douglass and more

Visual Aid of Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Consider other artifacts or events that are relative to your artifact, what it tells you about your artifact. * Elizabeth Cady Stanton follows the introductory framework of "The Declaration of Independence" with slight adjustments respective to her own subject matter. Doing so was a conscious and monumental decision, as she successfully aligns the Women's Right's Movement with the movement for independence from Great Britain.