In his pamphlet, Common Sense, Thomas Paine discusses the ideas supporting the American Revolution. Being the extremely educated and developed writer that he is, Thomas Paine 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. After all, England was simply protecting the colonies for her own benefit. He also uses similes, as seen on page 327 “All plans, proposals, etc, prior to the nineteenth of April…are like the almanacs of the last year”, to connect his audience with his views. He presented the people of the British colonies in America with a false dilemma of breaking from England or living the rest of their lives under their oppression. This false dilemma puts the colonists in an undesirable position because it seems as though both choices have their faults. Paine believed that it was the right and duty of the colonists to break free from the tyrannical rule of a parent-country.
In the first sentence of Section 3 of Common Sense, Thomas Paine writes ‘In the following pages, I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” (326). This complex utilization of both syntax and diction right-off-the-bat from Paine shows that he intends on wasting no time in conveying his point. He is presenting his audience with simple facts from which plain arguments will develop, allowing the conclusion to be common sense. In the following sentences, Thomas Paine transitions within his writing from first person to third person. As a reader we need to ask ourselves why this is significant. The answer is that Paine is choosing to no directly address his audience, but rather speak of them in the third person. The rhetor also mentions “volumes [that] have been written on the subject of the struggle between England and America” (326). By also reasoning that none within these extensive ‘volumes’ were successful, Paine shows that he intends to layout the relationship between the two countries and his beliefs as to how the relationship should be in the future.
The main point that Thomas Paine is trying to make to the people of the British colonies is that despite the fact that America was reliant on the British for so long, we do not need to continue to be their ‘pet’. He feels as though Britain did not truly care for the well being of the people within their colonies, and that the only purpose behind their support was “for the benefit of their own trade and dominion” (328). These radical ideas directly led to the revolutionary spirit that had been building inside the American people.
On page 329 of Common Sense, Thomas Paine makes a well structured enthymeme as too why the British should not be in control of the colonies of America for any longer. He says that if by the current reasoning; America is ruled by England due to the colonies being made primarily of people of English descent, then many descendents of the French man William the Conqueror in England should warrant England being ruled by France. Because the latter part of this argument would seem despicable during the time, why should the first part of it be accepted?
Through the use of an extensive myriad of rhetorical devices and strategies, Thomas Paine is able successfully impose his argument upon his audience. That argument being; while total dependence on Britain in the past while America was in its premature years may have been critical to its survival, the colonists have an obligation to break free of the oppressive rule when they are mature enough to do so. It is clearly evident that Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was successful in it purpose because it ignited a fire inside the colonists, forcing them to accept nothing less than freedom and led directly to the American Revolution.
In the first sentence of Section 3 of Common Sense, Thomas Paine writes ‘In the following pages, I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” (326). This complex utilization of both syntax and diction right-off-the-bat from Paine shows that he intends on wasting no time in conveying his point. He is presenting his audience with simple facts from which plain arguments will develop, allowing the conclusion to be common sense. In the following sentences, Thomas Paine transitions within his writing from first person to third person. As a reader we need to ask ourselves why this is significant. The answer is that Paine is choosing to no directly address his audience, but rather speak of them in the third person. The rhetor also mentions “volumes [that] have been written on the subject of the struggle between England and America” (326). By also reasoning that none within these extensive ‘volumes’ were successful, Paine shows that he intends to layout the relationship between the two countries and his beliefs as to how the relationship should be in the future.
The main point that Thomas Paine is trying to make to the people of the British colonies is that despite the fact that America was reliant on the British for so long, we do not need to continue to be their ‘pet’. He feels as though Britain did not truly care for the well being of the people within their colonies, and that the only purpose behind their support was “for the benefit of their own trade and dominion” (328). These radical ideas directly led to the revolutionary spirit that had been building inside the American people.
On page 329 of Common Sense, Thomas Paine makes a well structured enthymeme as too why the British should not be in control of the colonies of America for any longer. He says that if by the current reasoning; America is ruled by England due to the colonies being made primarily of people of English descent, then many descendents of the French man William the Conqueror in England should warrant England being ruled by France. Because the latter part of this argument would seem despicable during the time, why should the first part of it be accepted?
Through the use of an extensive myriad of rhetorical devices and strategies, Thomas Paine is able successfully impose his argument upon his audience. That argument being; while total dependence on Britain in the past while America was in its premature years may have been critical to its survival, the colonists have an obligation to break free of the oppressive rule when they are mature enough to do so. It is clearly evident that Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was successful in it purpose because it ignited a fire inside the colonists, forcing them to accept nothing less than freedom and led directly to the American Revolution.