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Thomas Paine's Rhetorical Strategies

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Thomas Paine's most effective rhetorical strategy has to be his incessant allusions to different Biblical elements in order to arouse the idea of independence. One of the best examples of this comes as early as the first paragraph, where he discusses the absurdity of Britain's claim that they have the right to bind all of their citizens in every matter or case. However, Paine retorts with a response of his own, saying, "for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. . . ." (1). Here Paine, knowing that most of his readers are devout, Protestant churchgoers, briefly introduces the notion that Britain is overstepping its authority in such a way that it's almost as if they are trying to play God. He cleverly demarcates a boundary between the
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Thomas Paine, a local pamphleteer in the pre-Revolutionary War era, wrote a convincing pamphlet to any colonists who were not already supporting the war for independence from Great Britain. In his argument, Paine uses rhetorical strategy, an emotional aspect, and divine revelation towards the citizens to create a very moving, passionate, and convincing call to arms. The first line, “These are the times that tried men 's souls,” is one of relatability and preparedness for the oncoming difficult times. Paine starts his essay off with a refutation of his argument, stating that although he wants this fight, he knows it will be tough. Paine then challenges the men’s bravery and patriotism to their country by stating the line “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country.”

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During the eighteenth century, revolutionary and political pamphlets spread their influence powerfully in a nation where citizens relied on printed press. Philosophers across the country never had any universal acceptance to their writings, and could not assume their journalistic style would make it big. This concept let writers express passions and real life problems truthfully. Readers and civilians in the eighteenth century were provoked by the straightforward and powerful writings by Thomas Paine. The everyday people appealed the most to these writings since it expressed all of their feelings, worries, and sorrows.

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According to Paine, “Even though people of the colonies were paying taxes and were pushed into wars caused by British, they were unfairly not represented in the British Parliament”. (109) Since Paine’s main goal is to target the common man of the society; he directs his argument by using the Bible and emotions to back up his own discussion. Paine indicates that all people are born equally and there is no one given the power to rule over other human beings. Then he uses Bible quotes to explicitly disagree with the presence of Monarchy rule used by the Great Britain.

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He truly believes that Great Britain will have an extremely difficult time controlling the colonies for any long period of time. Specifically, Paine states that “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered”. He uses plenty of figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, to make his speech as thought provoking as possible. Although, Paine obviously tries to make the speech as understandable as possible so any common man or woman can interpret

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Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine in (1775-1776.) It inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for their independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. It explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence. It was published on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution and became an immediate awareness. It was distributed and sold widely and read aloud at taverns and meeting places.

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158 Words | 1 Pages

In the book Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, “Youth is the seedtime of good habits, as well in nations as in individuals”-Thomas Paine,Common Sense (Chapter one, page 3). In my own words I believe this quote means that youth is the beginning of all and how your youth is, is how your outcome will be. For example if you have an amazing childhood then you’d be an amazing adult. The author of the quote is Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine was indeed famous for his writings of many of his essays and pamphlets such as, “The Age of Reason,” “Rights of Man,” and his most famous and what he's truly known for, “Common Sense.”

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713 Words | 3 Pages

Paine is against America having a connection with Britain and a single person having power. As Paine expresses, King George III is not and should not be able to be in power of the colonists because mankind is created to be equal and therefore kings should be “disapproved by nature” (Paine 217). Not only does Paine express his anger at the topic of a ruler for all, he also voices that America is connected to whatever Britain does and whatever problems Britain has: implying that America has no say what so ever under Britain (Paine 218). Paine is suggesting that Britain is not only hurting but also is subordinating America and its colonies, so a declaration of independence is in need.

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“It is wholly owing to the Constitution of the people, and not to the constitution of the government that the crown is not as oppressive in England as in Turkey.” We should give power to someone who is fair and not self-centered. Paine stated “from the errors of other nations, let us learn wisdom” to advise us to avoid repeating the past in the future from learning about bad past experiences. Paine argued for American’s separation from England by comparing the Kings that Great Britain has had to what a government should be

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654 Words | 3 Pages

This essay will be discussing and analyzing the document: Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine was an American founding father and very influential in the the enlightenment movement that started in 1714. Thomas Paine wrote common sense so people would begin thinking and discussing the way the British had been treating the colonies in the recent years. Paine believed that King George and the British parliament were tyrannical and that the colonies should do something about it. Common Sense appealed to many of the colonists because of the plain language Thomas Paine used.

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I am writing back to you, oh and by the way thanks for the supplies you sent me and that letter was wonderful. Anyways this week has been awful. I never thought I war could be so ugly, that I would be killing all these people. We just lost the battle, it made me feel bad about myself think I didn’t do good enough to support my country. To make this battle our win.

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He also suggested that having a King was equal to idolatry and that since no man was better than the other a King should not hold so much power over anyone. He used the bible as an example that people were mostly happy without a King. He stated that even though God allowed the Jews to have a King it brought Gods wrath unto them. Paine suggested that because the colonies were aligned with Great Britain any enemies they had would become enemies of the colonies and that the focus of the colonies should be trade and commerce. He thought that Great Britain only provided protection to the colonies to protect its own financial benefit.

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513 Words | 3 Pages

He starts by analyzing the past, saying that if any mistakes were made, they “have none to blame but ourselves” (IN TEXT). However, he counters this with the idea that they cannot change the past, but embrace its effects and move on. Next, he appeals to the logic of his Puritan beliefs. Paine says that he believes that “God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction” (IN TEXT). This gives the reader a sturdy base to place their hope, which he later increases by calling the king out for his murderous and unethical actions, and claims that the king has no grounds to seek support or solace from

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691 Words | 3 Pages

He gives the appeal that we must not be afraid and in the end we will have great triumph. Paine also uses imagery relate the devil with the current king of Britain. “The king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us: a common murderer, a highwayman, or a housebreaker, has as good a pretense as he…” He is painting a picture in the soldiers’ minds of how cruel the king has been to the colonies and should give them even more spirit to go and

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443 Words | 2 Pages

Would there be an America if people were not able to persuade others? During a time when America is in a war against the British fighting for its independence and had lost every battle except for one during the first year of the war, fearing that the idea of America may fail. Thomas Paine then publishes a pamphlet called The Crisis, No. 1. Regarding this, pathos was the most persuasive technique used to persuade Americans to continue on with the war in Thomas Paine’s The Crisis, No. 1.

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585 Words | 3 Pages

One of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, “Common Sense”, addressed a response to the American Revolution. Paine’s purpose for writing the piece was to convince the colonists to declare independence from Great Britain. He adopts a patriotic tone, explaining the advantages of and the need to proclaim independence from a tyrannical country. Paine also utilizes multiple rhetorical strategies, and any means necessary, to persuade his audience to share in his beliefs. With the use of constructed argument and rhetorical devices such as ethos, logos and pathos, as well as diction and syntax, Paine is able to present the argument that the United States should strive for its independence from England.

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