Question

Thomas paine's common sense is an argumentative essay. what argument is paine making? how does he structure his argument? what do you think is his most persuasive point and why? note: you must include the exact quote that you found the most persuasive.

Answer 1

Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine (one of the Founding Fathers on the United States). This pamphlet had a big influence for the American Revolution since it stated for the first time all the reasons why the 13 Colonies should separate themselves from Great Britain.

Answer 1. ¿What argument is Paine making?

Thomas Paine main argument is that the 13 Colonies would be better by themselves than under the government of Great Britain, because Great Britain only protected them for trade and dominion. He stated that Great Britain used them as a force against their enemies (who were not enemies of the Colonies) and that stopped the Colonies from making new alliances with powerful countries.

Answer 2. ¿ How does he structure his argument?

Common Sense is written in a way that ordinary people could understand it, in a clear prose that listed the problems and reasons why the 13 Colonies should obtain their independency. It is also written in a persuasive tone and uses emotion, figurative language, rhetoric and pathos.

Answer 3. ¿What do you think is his most persuasive point and why?

• That in America THE LAW IS KING. For as in absolute governments the king is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.

Thomas Paine proposed a free republic, saying that monarchies made no sense because no man should have the right to rule simply by birth, that government needed preparation and that the law should be the most important so taxes should be payed to the law, and all people should be equal. This is why I found this quote the most persuasive.