Text Analysis; Alien act

Text Analysis Rubric

Facilitator prep sheet
--Who is writing? The senate and house of representatives of the Untied States of America.



--Who is the audience? The people or “colonists” of America.



--Who do the writers represent? They represent the Congress assemble and George Washington the president of America.


--What is being said, argued and/or requested?

They were stating that if they ever were at war with another country and there were people from that country in any way they would be secured or removed from American soil. They did not want to risk them being connected to the enemies, so they requested that any alien know the rights they have as a unified government concerning their citizenship in America. “and they shall be, and are hereby respectively, authorized upon complaint, against any alien or alien enemies, as aforesaid, who shall be resident and at large within such jurisdiction or district, to the danger of the public peace or safety, and contrary to the tenor or intent of such proclamation, or other regulations which the President of the United States shall and may establish in the premises…]” They were laying down the law so that everything stayed secure and untouched. That’s why they are so admit about this particularly act.


--How is it being said, argued and/or requested?

It’s being said in a very demanding way but in a way that’s humble and respectful. The way the act was written shows the early stages of our government being put into place. They worded every word very professionally and very organized. I liked how they broke into sections for different things it made it more clear and concise; straight to the point.


--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request? “That whenever there shall be a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government, or any invasion or predatory incursion shall be perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United States, by any foreign nation or government, and the President of the United States shall make public proclamation of the event, all natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of the hostile nation or government, being males of the age of fourteen years and upwards, who shall be within the United States, and not actually naturalized, shall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured and removed, as alien enemies.” This whole statement legitimizes their request because the act is based on protecting America and the people by all means and if foreign or aliens somehow conflict or clash with that protection then this is their justification and statement. So they stated very openly and were very clear about every measure that was to be taken.