Read the preamble to the Constitution, which outlines the purpose of the new federal government under the Constitution: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

How does the rhetorical language and structure of the preamble influence its purpose, meaning, and tone? Cite evidence from the text as well as from the video you watched about the preamble to the Constitution.

ANSWER:

The preamble begins with the phrase "We the People of the United States" to project a unifying and equalizing viewpoint of the citizens of the United States. For example, the authors could have chosen instead to say “We the Framers of the United States.” However, the choice of “We the People” imbues the purpose and goal of the new government—to promote equality, justice, and political representation for Americans—into the actual rhetoric of the document. The video about the preamble describes this point as well. “We the People” includes all Americans, making the Constitution an empowering document for the American people.

The preamble to the Constitution is relatively brief and to the point. The main clause in the preamble states the general purpose of the Constitution: “We the People of the United States . . . do ordain and establish the Constitution for the United States of America.” However, considering this statement doesn’t include information about the ambitions of the new government, the authors include a significant nonessential prepositional phrase to reveal the aspirations of the new nation: ". . . in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. . . ."

The preamble also contains a logical and direct tone, highlighting the authors' focus on using reason to legitimize the purpose and reputation of the new government.