“C OMMON S ENSE ”: A N I DEA OF I NDEPENDENCE Anna Miller

T HOMAS P AINE Born in England in 1737 Was thought of as a radical or rebel Benjamin Franklin sponsored his emigration into America in 1774 He worked as a journalist in Philadelphia

O VERVIEW Common Sense was published in January 1776 It was published to provoke the colonists into independence It ridiculed King George III, the King of England of that time. Over 500,000 copies were sold in America and England in the first 6 months. “I'll tell you Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain.”

F IRST L INES OF “C OMMON S ENSE ” “In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense;” These lines show that Thomas Paine’s audience was spoken to directly, and that he wanted the colonists to connect with his writing

T ITLE P AGE OF “C OMMON S ENSE ”

W RITING T ECHNIQUE OF T HOMAS P AINE He tried to influence the Americans of how bad they were suffering. He repeated that they had no say on taxes. Overall, he told the Americans that governing themselves would be the best possible thing to do.

Q UOTE F ROM “C OMMON S ENSE ” “ Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis time to part.”

T HOMAS P AINE P ERSUADES THE A MERICANS Thomas Paine uses different techniques to influence the Americans. He tries to tell them that British rule has had a terrible impact on the people of America.

Q UOTE “…hath your house been burnt ? Hath your property been destroyed your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on, or bread to live on? Have you lost a parent or a child by their hands, and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor?””

O VERVIEW “Common Sense” was not the reason that America gained Independence, but it was a main factor. In less than a year from when “Common Sense” was published, America was free.

C ITATIONS “Common Sense.” Liberty’s Kids. 8 November Laughlin, Andy. “A Discussion and Analysis of Thomas Paine's Common Sense.” Associated Content. 4 November "Rhetorical Analysis of Paine’s Common Sense." History. 4 November “Thomas Paine.” Liberty’s Kids. 8 November 2009 < Tpaine.html>. “Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.” Archiving Early America. 15 November “Thomas Paine’s Quotes.” Founding Fathers. 18 November “Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs.” Bartleby.18 November 2009.