Allow us to present zeugma. What is zeugma? "Cleverly crafted zeugma can cause the literary equivalent of a double take," says the website LitCharts. Here's an example to show what they mean: "You are free to execute your laws, and your citizens, as you see fit." Declaration of Independence, 17761 IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, Zeugma is a term used in English language and literature. It’s a figure of speech where a word, usually a verb or an adjective, applies to more than one noun, blending together grammatically and logically different ideas. On July 4, 1776, the United States Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, was signed. A note, most signatories wouldn’t sign until August 2, but I digress. This paper would officially declare, in writing, the United States strove WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the President Bush's Independence Day message, as released by the White House: Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, the signers of the Declaration of Independence boldly asserted that all 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." The Unanimous Declaration of Independence made by the Delegates of the People of Texas in General Convention at the town of Washington on the 2nd day of March 1836. On July 4, 1776, the United States officially declared its independence from the British Empire when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was authored by a “Committee of Five”—John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman—with Jefferson as the Zeugma is a rhetorical device in which a single word (usually a verb or an adjective) governs or modifies two or more words, though they may not be related in meaning. It creates an effect by blending together different contexts or ideas, often with humorous or surprising results. The Unanimous Declaration of Independence made by the Delegates of the People of Texas in General Convention at the town of Washington on the 2nd day of March 1836. A concise definition of Zeugma along with usage tips, an expanded explanation, and lots of examples. The committee chosen to draft a declaration of independence for the 13 North American British colonies is shown at work in this 19th century engraving. The five members are (from left) Benjamin Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) Declaration of Independence "that all men are created equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights-among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," I shall strenuously contend for the immediate enfranchisement of our slave population. . . . In Park Street Church, on the Fourth of July, 1829, in an address on Zeugma, from Greek meaning “yoking” or “bonding,” is a figure of speech in which a word, usually a verb or an adjective, applies to more than one noun, blending together grammatically and logically different ideas. Schenectady. When: 10:30 a.m. Where: In front of Schenectady City Hall, 105 Jay St., Schenectady Lake George Battlefield Park. When: 11 a.m. Where: Outside the ruins Nearly every printed or manuscript edition of the Declaration of Independence has slight differences in punctuation, capitalization, and even wording. To find out more about the diverse textual tradition of the Declaration, check out our Which Version is This, and Why Does it Matter? resource. WASHINGTON, D.C. - As we celebrate Independence Day, the National Archives in Washington, D.C. is letting the public view rare documents that led congress to declare independence from Great Britain. We got a sneak peek from inside the Archives’ vault. “Normally we keep these documents in our And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor. In zeugma, one word is used to yoke two ideas together, often for humorous effect. The purpose of zeugma is usually to amuse or cause the reader to pause and think.
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