Benjamin Franklin, "On the Constitution:"
A Rhetorical Outline
General Outline
I. Opening Self-deprecation
II. In support of the Constitution
II. Closing Invitation
Detailed Outline
I. Opening Self-deprecation
A. Franklin’s acknowledgment of his own fallibility
1. Qualified Statement of Consent
a. Confesses lack of complete approval of Constitution
b. Raises possibility of approval at some future point
2. Justification from personal experience
3. Personal experience similar to that of many
B. Two witticisms concerning parties that believe themselves infallible
1. First witticism: Anglicans v. Catholics
2. Second witticism: French lady
II. In support of the Constitution
A. Statement of consent
B. Supporting arguments
1. Necessity of general government
2. Likely to be well administered
3. Can only end in despotism when the people grow corrupt
4. It cannot be improved upon by another Convention
5. It will astonish our enemis
C. Summation
1. Reiterated statement of consent
2. Sets example of refraining from further criticism
a. States his own intention of silencing his thoughts of error
b. Warns against others voicing objections
c. Strength of government depends on opinion of its goodness
III. Closing invitation.
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