Rhetoric Arguments In Thomas Paine's Common Sense

546 Words2 Pages

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense Thomas Paine’s Common Sense is arguably one of the most important written documents in American history. His use of rhetorical devices and rhetorical appeals is unrivaled by any other historical writer. His use of “common sense” stresses how important his arguments are. It’s no wonder that Paine’s Common Sense didn’t go unnoticed – it does an extremely well job conveying the feeling that Paine intended readers to feel. Paine starts out Common Sense by talking about nature and man’s natural rights. He talks of liberty and freedom, and pursuit of happiness. This is an extremely effective strategy for luring in readers. It connects the political situation with rights that all men should have from birth. More importantly, it shows how the current political state violates these natural God-given rights. This really helps his argument, as it …show more content…

It’s so powerful that he even named his pamphlet Common Sense. His use of common sense solidifies the idea that there is only one option – that in favor of his argument – so much so that it’s literally common sense as to which side is correct. A great example of this in the text is the line, “Common sense will tell us that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue us, is of all others the most improper to defend us.” This quote really lays down Paine’s idea of his argument being common sense. There are multiple other uses of “common sense” in Common Sense, including, “In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense,” which supports the fact that everyone should pretty much already know why Paine’s argument is correct, and, “To examine that connection and dependence, on the principles of nature and common sense, to see what we have to trust to, if separated, and what we are to expect, if dependent.” Which is further support that everything Paine is saying is common

Show More
Related

  • Paine And Inglis Comparison Essay

    508 Words  | 2 Pages

    In order to refocus the colonists, Inglis discredited Paine and his pamphlet, Common Sense, writing that, “…[Paine] gives vent to his own private resentment and ambition, and recommends a scheme which must infallibly prove ruinous.” Inglis portrayed Paine as a man expressing personal complaints. Inglis did not give Paine any credit for being patriotic. Instead, he described Paine as having “…a rage that knows no limits…” and

    Read More

  • The Rhetorical Analysis Of Thomas Paine's The American Crisis

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    In an effort to convince his audience to support Americas goal of getting rid of British control, Paine utilizes a great deal of holy diction, granting him the ability to relate to his fellow Americans. As a result of relating to his Audience through diction, Paine is capable of persuading the rest of America into agreeing with his call to action. He writes: “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered,

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Jefferson And Paine

    528 Words  | 2 Pages

    The language used in Common Sense is that of a leader hoping to inspire his followers to heed his warning and answer his call. Paine's audience was the people of the colonies, he wanted them to realize that the oppression of the crown has not limit and sure there were benefits of belonging to the crown, there were far more oppression beyond measure that comes with such benefits.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Thoma Thomas Paine's Common Sense

    1191 Words  | 3 Pages

    The idea of independence from Great Britain, it is something that is so commonplace a thing that I think very little of it on a day-to-day basis, but there was once a time when it was not so common, there was even a time when many thought the idea of fighting for independence was a foolhardy or reckless move and we were better off under the rule of Great Britain. This was not necessarily an incorrect way of thinking as Great Britain had provided the colonies with resources that would have taken far longer to develop for themselves. In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense a pamphlet that encouraged this new way of thinking and urged the people of the thirteen colonies to fight for their independence from Great Britain, as their help was now seeming to become a hindrance.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Patrick Henry And Patomas Paine

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    When it comes to the topic of the American Revolution, most of us will readily agree that it influenced essentially every code of ethics in today’s society. Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine address an identical topic. That is, they both provided inspiration to the American Revolution cause. Patrick henry on one point of view, speaks of the harshness of the British rule over the American colonies. In his statement, Patrick Henry addresses the oppressive British rule and emphasis grounds to maintain basic human rights. “Common Sense”, on the other hand stresses on the trials and tribulations of the American colonies under the British rule. With the use of persuasion in their writings, both Henry and Paine support the war against the Great Britain.

    Read More

  • Thomas Paine Common Sense Rhetorical Analysis

    861 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavored to subdue us, is of all others, the most improper to defend us.” Such words scribed by the Revolutionary radical Thomas Paine epitomized the drive behind the American Revolution of the 18th century. For nearly two hundred years, the citizens of the American Colonies had been fastened securely to the wrist of the mother country, England. They had tolerated the tyrannous rule, but not without the simmer of rebellious thoughts. As England piled tax after tax onto their colonies, thoughts of revolution and revolt sprung up in the minds of the colonists and brewed there, waiting for a catalyst to drive them into action. The catalyst ignited on January 10th, 1776 when Thomas Paine published his fiery pamphlet ‘Common Sense’. The 48-page pamphlet presented before the colonists a vision for independence that had never been conceived before. It radically altered the course of the Revolution and would later find itself molding the foundation of America’s government indefinitely.

    Read More

  • Paine and Henry´s Influence on the American Revolution

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    The eighteenth century, a time of turmoil and chaos in the colonies, brought many opinionated writers to the forefront in support or refutation of the coming American Revolution. This highly controversial war that would ultimately separate the future United States of America from Great Britain became the center of debate. Two writers, both of whom supported the Revolution, now stand to fully illuminate one side of the debate. Thomas Paine, a radical propagandist, wrote many pieces during this time including “The Crisis Number 1” (1776). Through writing, he appealed to the “common man” in order to convince them to gather their arms and fight for their freedom. In this document, he utilizes many of the same rhetorical skills and propaganda techniques as Patrick Henry, a convincing orator, did in his famous speech delivered to the state’s delegates in 1775. Among these techniques are transfer, abstract language, and pathos. In both works, these were used to call the audiences to war. These influential pieces both contained a call to action which, through the use of strong and decisive language, aided the beginning of the American Revolution.

    Read More

  • Nature Emerson Rhetorical Analysis

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    The essay "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson implements the use of many transcendentalist ideas through the use of strong rhetorical language. The core belief of transcendentalism is self-reliance and independence, and it stresses the importance that people need to do things on their own. Emerson uses irony to point out many latent truths about the concept. He also uses personification to show that the world around someone can have qualities of a human. Metaphors are also used heavily in the essay as catalysts to help the reader better understand Transcendentalism.

    Read More

  • The American crisis by Thomas Paine

    1086 Words  | 3 Pages

    The initial paragraphs of Paine’s pamphlet establish to his audience that he is a reliable figure. While Paine talks about the journey they have gone so far, he tells his audience about their status in the war so far by saying, “we did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we were in a dependent state” (108). By starting out with igniting the start of getting the audience angry, Paine then goes on to kill the flame a little by blaming the audience of their position so far, but is able to keep his audience on his path by blaming himself in his words by using the inclusive pronoun “we”. Continuing on by saying that, “the fault if it were one, was all our own… But no great deal is lost yet”, then goes on to have his audience still on his path, but then starts to build himself up as a reliable figure by saying that he believes that they are not finished yet and evoking the spirit that they can do it. Besides this initial effort to have his audience trust and believe his words, a common enemy begins to be established between Paine and the audience in which he goes on to say, “God Almighty will not give ...

    Read More

  • How Did Thomas Paine Contribute To American Independence

    547 Words  | 2 Pages

    A lot of the support for Common Sense was seen in colonial newspapers such as The Pennsylvania Evening Post and The New York Journal who received letters from colonists that wanted to show support for the pamphlet. They cited it as “plain [straightforward]” “just“ and “conclusive”. It convinced them that American independence was necessary and that Thomas Paine had given the American individual the materials needed for liberty. Meanwhile, one of the

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Thomas Paine

    627 Words  | 2 Pages

    In an excerpt from Thomas Paine's work Common Sense, Mr. Paine writes to the colonists of pre-revolutionary America, attempting to convince them of the necessity of a democratic form of government, and separation from the Crown of England. He does this by effectively explaining the fundamental reasoning behind humans utilizing governing groups in society, and supporting his arguments with a plethora of rhetorical devices and appeals.

    Read More

  • What Is The Argument That Thomas Paine Argue For Independence

    509 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is no doubt that Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense was one of the most influential documents in American history. There were 150,000 copies of this pamphlet sold, and it was also copied in newspapers and read aloud. His writing was so successful because he brought the issue of independence to the common people. Hints the name Common Sense. Thomas Paine was mainly a newspaper man, so he wrote his documents to be easily understood by the general public. He wrote Common Sense to argue for independence from England. However, a majority of Americans were against independence. They were afraid to break their ties with England. With some people for independence, and more against it, this is where Thomas Paine’s Common Sense came into play.

    Read More

  • Comparing Thomas Paine's Common Sense and Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    The main part of Common Sense contrasts in concept with the majority of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson takes a rather rough approach to his writing style, deciding to introduce his ideas in the beginning few paragraphs, then proceeding to list his grievances in the bulk of the piece. Paine however, presents his ideas in more of a persuasive ...

    Read More

  • The Arguments of Thomas Paine and James Chalmers Over the Revolutionary War

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thomas Paine wrote the Common Sense and in this pamphlet he wrote about America’s separation and independence from Great Britain. His argument stated that America is a large continent and we are in charge of our own fate and direction (Paine 107). Paine further explained that people migrated to America to escape the control of the King and his laws. Paine introduced a theory when comparing America to a small island, that it is possible if separated we can come together and make our own laws and run the country as we see fit (Paine 109). Paine believes that we are no longer in need of Britain’s help and that we can eventually form alliances with other countries as we stand alone outside of Britain’s control.

    Read More

  • The Nature of Rhetoric

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rhetoric is the art of effective speaking or writing, and persuasion. Most people use rhetoric numerous of times in their everyday life without their concern or knowing.

    Read More

More about Rhetoric Arguments In Thomas Paine's Common Sense

Open Document