A Play for Many Readers: The Declaration of Independence

Perform or read aloud a historically grounded dramatization of the Second Continental Congress debates.

Identify key delegates involved in the vote for American independence, such as John Adams, Richard Henry Lee, and John Hancock.

Analyze the Declaration of Independence's stated grievances and closing declaration as recited within the play.

Use the character list on page 5 to assign roles fairly, combining parts as needed for a smaller class.

Discuss the concept of a unanimous vote before reading, since the play builds toward the delegates' vote for independence.

Pair the play with the recommended further-reading titles on page 4 for students who want more background on the Second Continental Congress.

Historical role-play reading — students voice researched dialogue for real delegates debating reconciliation versus independence.

Primary-source engagement — the play's closing pages have students read the Declaration's actual list of grievances and its final declaration of independence aloud.

Perspective-taking — students portray delegates holding differing views, from John Dickinson's calls for reconciliation to Franklin's push toward independence, within the same debate.