When Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, he
used a rhetorical writing style that was the standard during the 18th
century. The goal was to build towards a climax. By stating life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness as unalienable rights that should be enjoyed by all men he
set the tone for the rest of the document. The succeeding list described how
the British violated these rights in an order where the worst violations were
placed last.
