Writing Prompt: What strategies does Thomas Paine use to build his argument? What is Paine's argument?
“Common Sense”, by Thomas Paine uses specific diction that allows the reader of all levels to understand. Paine knew during the pre-revolution time many could not read, his use of simple language allows for the “common man” to understand. Thomas Paine does not try to influence the reader through emotion, rather, he uses vocabulary that has strong connotations over their denotations, but he does not drown his writing with sappy writing. Paine’s arguments are rational and are usually further backed throughout the text. Thomas Paine created a very realistic and sympathetic, tone in “Commas Sense”.
Thomas Paine’s credibility as a writer was known to many that read because of his other works. “Common Sense”, was different because the topic of war and the intent of the people were all different. Thomas Paine wanted to create a unified goal among the people and in order for them to listen he would need to be a credible and honest writer and man. Therefore throughout “Common Sense”, Paine used arguments of the contradicting side, nonbiased language, and simplistic diction that the “common man” could understand. Paine’s use of the contrary argument explaining how dependent the colonies were to Great Britain allowed for people to make the connection that he was not biased and that his purpose was more informational than persuasive (even though he did want to persuade his readers).
Paine used language that was strong and forward but was subtle with the diction. The thought of one being able to accomplish such a task of writing is almost unbelievable but Thomas Paine achieved it. Paine did not fill “Common Sense” with flattering words of either side, he did not make either side look more appealing than the other, he simply, as he stated in the opening paragraph “…I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense.”, wanted to only state the facts and not his opinion. However Paine was able to voice his opinion throughout the pamphlet with, for the most part, being undetected. He would use words with connotations that overpowered much denotation, but to the eye that can barely read, it was not noticeable. Therefore today, we can understand that he did use pathos in “Common Sense”, but to the people of the pre-revolution, they did not notice his slick inputs of those emotionally attached words.
“Common Sense”, is written with word choice that is complex yet simple to the naked eye. As previously stated, Thomas Paine begins by saying that he only wants to state the simple facts of the need for independence from the tyrannical government that Great Britain is running. Pain does not refer to Great Britain as Great Britain throughout the text; he changes the language to referring to the Mother Country as “her” creating an emotional appeal to the reader. Thomas Paine was able to present his case through his simplistic words that contained a strong connotation with each. Paine made it out that Britain was the cause of all of their “countries” pain, that she was not only governing, not only neglecting them, but that Britain was keeping the New World from creating relationships with other countries; countries like France and Spain. Britain themselves were at war with those countries creating the New World to be at “war” with them as well. Thomas Pain created a convincing argument that lead to the colonists declaring their want for independence from Great Britain.
Thomas Paine used a simile very early on in his writing of “Common Sense”: “…now is the seed time of continental union, faith and honor. The least fracture now will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound would enlarge with the tree, and posterity read it in full grown characters.” The simile represents the relationship between Britain and the New World; the New World is the young oak and Britain is the pin that has engraved their name and fractured the New World. Now that Britain has engraved their name and created a fracture within the New World, there is nothing the colonists can do now to fix the wound, it will forever it be with them even if they separate. However, if the New World breaks their dependence with Britain then there will be no future engraving, or wounds put into the young tree… the New World.
Thomas Paine’s credibility as a writer was known to many that read because of his other works. “Common Sense”, was different because the topic of war and the intent of the people were all different. Thomas Paine wanted to create a unified goal among the people and in order for them to listen he would need to be a credible and honest writer and man. Therefore throughout “Common Sense”, Paine used arguments of the contradicting side, nonbiased language, and simplistic diction that the “common man” could understand. Paine’s use of the contrary argument explaining how dependent the colonies were to Great Britain allowed for people to make the connection that he was not biased and that his purpose was more informational than persuasive (even though he did want to persuade his readers).
Paine used language that was strong and forward but was subtle with the diction. The thought of one being able to accomplish such a task of writing is almost unbelievable but Thomas Paine achieved it. Paine did not fill “Common Sense” with flattering words of either side, he did not make either side look more appealing than the other, he simply, as he stated in the opening paragraph “…I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense.”, wanted to only state the facts and not his opinion. However Paine was able to voice his opinion throughout the pamphlet with, for the most part, being undetected. He would use words with connotations that overpowered much denotation, but to the eye that can barely read, it was not noticeable. Therefore today, we can understand that he did use pathos in “Common Sense”, but to the people of the pre-revolution, they did not notice his slick inputs of those emotionally attached words.
“Common Sense”, is written with word choice that is complex yet simple to the naked eye. As previously stated, Thomas Paine begins by saying that he only wants to state the simple facts of the need for independence from the tyrannical government that Great Britain is running. Pain does not refer to Great Britain as Great Britain throughout the text; he changes the language to referring to the Mother Country as “her” creating an emotional appeal to the reader. Thomas Paine was able to present his case through his simplistic words that contained a strong connotation with each. Paine made it out that Britain was the cause of all of their “countries” pain, that she was not only governing, not only neglecting them, but that Britain was keeping the New World from creating relationships with other countries; countries like France and Spain. Britain themselves were at war with those countries creating the New World to be at “war” with them as well. Thomas Pain created a convincing argument that lead to the colonists declaring their want for independence from Great Britain.
Thomas Paine used a simile very early on in his writing of “Common Sense”: “…now is the seed time of continental union, faith and honor. The least fracture now will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound would enlarge with the tree, and posterity read it in full grown characters.” The simile represents the relationship between Britain and the New World; the New World is the young oak and Britain is the pin that has engraved their name and fractured the New World. Now that Britain has engraved their name and created a fracture within the New World, there is nothing the colonists can do now to fix the wound, it will forever it be with them even if they separate. However, if the New World breaks their dependence with Britain then there will be no future engraving, or wounds put into the young tree… the New World.