“Common Sense,” Thomas Paine, January 1776.

1. What was the author arguing?

        

The author, Thomas Paine was arguing about the separation of America and Great Britain. The purpose of Thomas Paine writing “Common Sense” was to push the debate of complete independence. The text points out the faults of the British Monarchy and reasons why America should be completely independent from Great Britain. Paine argued that Great Britain’s motives were interest not attachment that “America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power had any thing to do with her.” Paine goes on to talk of Great Britain and how people cannot make laws without the consent of the king. He also mentions Great Britain’s authority in America by stating, “The authority of Great-Britain over this continent, is a form of government, which sooner or later must have an end.” Paine continues by stressing the idea of districts between colonies. That each district is to send a certain number of delegates to Congress, where they will sit and choose a president, where there will only be one. Even if it meant war, Thomas Paine was determined to get his point across. You can picture this “Common Sense” article as a persuasion. Thomas Paine thought that nothing but independence could keep and preserve the peace of America.  

           

2. How does the author appeal to logos, pathos, and ethos with their argument?

            The authors appeal to logos within the argument is quite clear. The author’s logo’s was to persuade his audience that America needed to be totally separated from Great Britain. Paine communicated that America was not benefiting from Great Britain at all; basically that America could do better without them. The appeal to pathos is very strong. Thomas Paine was very precise with his examples of the British monarchy and really showed his emotional side and protection of America. I though his emotions were at best when he stated “I am not induced by motives of pride, party, or resentment to espouse the doctrine of separation and independence; I am clearly, positively, and conscientiously persuaded that it is the true interest of this continent to be so.” I felt as if I could feel Thomas Paine speaking while I read the text. Thomas Paine’s appeal to ethos backed up his argument. Paine’s character in the text was an educated man, a man that has thought long and hard of what is going on in his country. Paine was a man that truly wanted to make a difference in America and was not afraid of war if it came down to it.

3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?

            The article “Common Sense” played a huge factor of pressure for independence in 1776. The pamphlet in which the article was published sold over 150,000 copies. People from all over America were reading the work of Thomas Paine. It was acts like these of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” and Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty of give me death” that truly made a mark in American history. Patriotic men that fought for what was right, and did not fear war as a result.

4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why of why not?

            I definitely found Thomas Paine’s argument convincing. The power and emotion that was put into the article speaks for itself. I found it brilliant that Paine wrote “Common Sense” and actually published it. Especially at a time where not everyone thought about independence, where colonists still believed in the “Mother Lands” way of ruling, because that all they knew. I found Paine’s actions to be brave and convincing.