Question

What rhetorical effect does the personification of the word Prudence have in the following excerpt from the Declaration of Independence? Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

A)It ironically appeals to the religious sentiments of the audience.
B)It sarcastically criticizes the colonists’ desire to form a new government.
C)It directly emphasizes an appeal to the reader’s emotions.
D)It effectively enhances the logos and ethos of the argument.

Answer 1

The personification of the word Prudence D) IT EFFECTIVELY ENHANCES THE LOGOS AND ETHOS OF THE ARGUMENT.

Logos means appeal to the logic or reasoning of the people.
Ethos means appeal to the credibility of the argument, that it is worth listening to and acting upon. 

Answer 2

ANSWER: D. The personification of the word Prudence EFFECTIVELY ENHANCES THE LOGOS AND ETHOS OF THE ARGUMENT.

Personifying prudence strengthened the message of the declaration since it deems the arguments to come from PRUDENCE itself - the foresight, wisdom, and common sense that will allow the people to evaluate that the arguments come from a logical and ethical background.

Prudence was used to encourage people to consider exercising the value when considering the arguments. This then gives the arguments the added weight all because of the personification.