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How Does Thomas Paine Use Rhetorical Appeals In The Crisis Number 1

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During the Revolutionary period, there was much time for trials and controversy. It was a time of miscommunication in the Thirteen Colonies, ultimately leading to political and economic troubles. Strong emotions and opinions spread like rapid fire and, because of this, persuasive writing became widely known. Literature expresses something that speaking cannot and creates a more genuine sense, allowing readers to feel or learn. Thomas Paine’s, “The Crisis Number 1”, famously elaborates on this clearly as it addresses the colonists with an affecting emotional appeal through the use of vivid imagery, charged words, and rhetorical questions to motivate the colonists to go to war. When using emotional appeals through imagery, the reader’s attention …show more content…

Which expresses “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered” (Paine 160). This repeated phrase gives the reader context of the true struggle between the colonists and loyalists as well as an understanding of what it was like under the power of the king. The author wants the reader to feel the widespread emotion of frustration that many had experienced. Bear in mind that throughout pamphlets and pieces of literature, the theme of religion was quite customary during this time. By using this quote, making a direct comparison of hell and what life was like as a colonist is a rather bold statement that leaves a wow factor. The reader can visualize hell and also feel the weight of the king at the same time. Through this lasting effect, it also gives room for the reader to be persuaded by emotional appeals, and to conclusively feel for the colonists. As we had seen with the previous quote, similies are often found in writing dealing with imagery. By using contrasting language, it helps the audience gain a better understanding along with gaining sympathy. Found in this next quote, “I have as little superstition in me as any man living” (161) creates a drastic comparison between the gravity of life …show more content…

Paine uses these to not only further his ideas but to allow the audience to ponder the thoughts and emotions that are being distributed. Paine notes “if a thief breaks into my house, burn and destroy my property, and kill or threatens to kill me… am I to suffer it? (Paine 161) using this rhetorical device allows the reader to differentiate and view both sides of the matter. But by this, he also persuades the reader by making his point through the use of rhetorical questions. When Paine throws out “what is a Tory?” (Paine) the reader could come at it from many different angles. However, with the common theme provided, Paine has made it clear how the loyalists are stuck in their ways. This adds even more of a persuasive element because it makes the reader step back and absorb the central claim. Rhetorical questions can dance around the themes of ethics. Such as, is this right? Is this morally incorrect? Taking a look back at “The Crisis Number One” the direct quote “whether it be done by an individual villain or an army of them?” (Paine 162). Paine raises the point of why does it matter, rich or poor, who exactly commits a crime? Of higher power, or low, a crime is a crime. By bringing this up, Paine strengthens the argument of Britain's

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