Thomas Paine

  With a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, Paine began a career as a journalist  In January 1776, he published Common Sense, in which he argued that Americans must fight for independence  He enlisted in the army toward the end of 1776 after the army had just been defeated by the British  Soldiers were suffering from freezing weather, a shortage of provisions and low morale  Paine wrote a series of essays entitled The American Crisis which George Washington ordered to be read to his troops before they crossed the Delaware River  Paine went to France after the American Revolution and was imprisoned for pleading against the execution of the overthrown French king  While in prison, he began writing The Age of Reason, an attack on organized religion  This book turned American public opinion against him  P. 154

  Designed to build morale among the soldiers  Promises that the severity of their situation makes triumph more glorious  Paine vows that God would never desert those who fight for just causes  He praises those who stand up for their opposition to England  He calls on all the states to put forth their best effort to resist English rule  Paine labels those who step aside as evil and cowardly The Crisis, Number 1

  Writing meant to convince readers to think or act in a certain way  Appeals to emotions or reason, offers opinions, and urges action  Points/arguments must be backed up with evidence  How does the following statement support Paine’s argument for independence?  “He [the British king] has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions of the rights of the people” Persuasion

  The person or group of people the author intends to reach  Imagine you were a colonist who remained loyal to the British. How would a speech like The Crisis, Number 1 make you feel? Audience

  Words likely to produce strong emotional responses What are the charged words in the following quote from The Crisis, Number 1 ?  “ Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered” Charged Words

  Read pages  Complete the Crisis Outline Worksheet by determining which quotes support with arguments Activity