Thomas Paine was a man well known throughout history for his acclaimed pamphlet called "Common Sense". Not only was this pamphlet powerful, it demanded for withdrawal and rebellion for independence from Great Britain. The techniques that Paine used as an author allowed him to lure in his audience to understand the purpose of the rebellion. Instead of using false fallacies, Paine definite facts and common sense in order to persuade his readers to rebel against Great Britain after all the harm they did to the colonies in Pre-Revolutionary United States. Paine persuades the readers to understand and grasp the fact that Britain is doing America more damage than it is doing good, simply by stating evidence to back up his argument. Reconciliation with Britain simply wasn't an applicable option for Paine.
Paine uses a variety of techniques to appeal to the readers. He most importantly uses logos in order back up his arguments with logic. By using logic he makes clarity of his claims that America needs to withdraw from Britain's oppressive rule against them and make effectiveness of his supporting evidence. In his appeal using logos, Paine states that “To say, they will never attempt it again is idle and visionary, we thought so at the repeal of the stamp-act, yet a year or two undeceived us…”, his use of these words reflects back on the past and shows the readers the logical facts behind these occurrences to support his claims on future occurrences that might happen if America is still under the tyranny of Britain. Paine's choice of diction illustrates his matter of fact tone that makes no room for the audience to even disagree. Paine starts off with saying “In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” (326), and by doing so, he reflects his idea that he is stating nothing but common sense. He imposes a sense of urgency in his writing by using metaphors and urgent language in order to impose the idea of leaving the tyranny of Great Britain. Paine states that "some have argued that because America has flourished under her former connection with the British, it is necessary for America to remain tightly bound to Britain to achieve future happiness (327). Paine disagrees with this statement that America should be under Britain's tyranny and uses a metaphor to back up his own argument; “that because a baby has flourished on milk, it should never eat meat” (327). With this metaphor, Paine means that because a country has helped America politically in the past, it doesn't mean it will be helpful in the future also. Paine states that Britain only took America under its control for their own good, and not for the good of the Americans. He makes a valid point that instead of fighting against the French and the Spaniards, America should become partners with these countries, for they are fighting the same struggle America is. Paine also appeals to the audience by using pathos and says "Hath your property been destroyed in front of your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on?...If you have not, then you are not a judge of those who have.... but if you have, you can still shake hands with the murders" (331). Paine is appealing to pathos by emotions by referring to things and people that a common man holds closely to his heart, and pointing out how they would feel if these things occurred to their loved ones. Paine is saying this because he doesn't want America to have a forced and unnatural relationship with Britain because of present circumstances, but in the future, it'll be bad for their kids.
Overall, Paine used a lot of tactics to appeal to the common man, in a language that could be understood by the common man in a time of the Pre-Revolutionary war. His statements were matter of fact, and gave little to no room for people to question his sayings. After all, the title is called "Common Sense" and this leaves no room for people to wonder if the meaning behind his sayings is the actual truth because it's "common sense" and every man should be able to understand it. Paine's pamphlet appealed to a lot of people throughout the history of America and could be seen as a key factor in America's freedom from Britain's tyranny.
Words: 737
Paine uses a variety of techniques to appeal to the readers. He most importantly uses logos in order back up his arguments with logic. By using logic he makes clarity of his claims that America needs to withdraw from Britain's oppressive rule against them and make effectiveness of his supporting evidence. In his appeal using logos, Paine states that “To say, they will never attempt it again is idle and visionary, we thought so at the repeal of the stamp-act, yet a year or two undeceived us…”, his use of these words reflects back on the past and shows the readers the logical facts behind these occurrences to support his claims on future occurrences that might happen if America is still under the tyranny of Britain. Paine's choice of diction illustrates his matter of fact tone that makes no room for the audience to even disagree. Paine starts off with saying “In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” (326), and by doing so, he reflects his idea that he is stating nothing but common sense. He imposes a sense of urgency in his writing by using metaphors and urgent language in order to impose the idea of leaving the tyranny of Great Britain. Paine states that "some have argued that because America has flourished under her former connection with the British, it is necessary for America to remain tightly bound to Britain to achieve future happiness (327). Paine disagrees with this statement that America should be under Britain's tyranny and uses a metaphor to back up his own argument; “that because a baby has flourished on milk, it should never eat meat” (327). With this metaphor, Paine means that because a country has helped America politically in the past, it doesn't mean it will be helpful in the future also. Paine states that Britain only took America under its control for their own good, and not for the good of the Americans. He makes a valid point that instead of fighting against the French and the Spaniards, America should become partners with these countries, for they are fighting the same struggle America is. Paine also appeals to the audience by using pathos and says "Hath your property been destroyed in front of your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on?...If you have not, then you are not a judge of those who have.... but if you have, you can still shake hands with the murders" (331). Paine is appealing to pathos by emotions by referring to things and people that a common man holds closely to his heart, and pointing out how they would feel if these things occurred to their loved ones. Paine is saying this because he doesn't want America to have a forced and unnatural relationship with Britain because of present circumstances, but in the future, it'll be bad for their kids.
Overall, Paine used a lot of tactics to appeal to the common man, in a language that could be understood by the common man in a time of the Pre-Revolutionary war. His statements were matter of fact, and gave little to no room for people to question his sayings. After all, the title is called "Common Sense" and this leaves no room for people to wonder if the meaning behind his sayings is the actual truth because it's "common sense" and every man should be able to understand it. Paine's pamphlet appealed to a lot of people throughout the history of America and could be seen as a key factor in America's freedom from Britain's tyranny.
Words: 737