1. The age of reason

2. The Age of Reason
Also known as Rationalism and the Age of Enlightenment
Writing Style—pamphlets, autobiographies, essays, and federal documents
Time Period:
Revolutionary War

3. Beliefs can arrive at truth by using reason (science and logic)
the world operates according to God’s rules
Education as the means for self-improvement and progress
Appeal to reason would provide solutions for all human problems both of society and the state

4. Beliefs: Deism People are basically good and perfectible.
People can best worship God by helping others.

5. Authors
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Paine
Patrick Henry

6. Franklin and Thomas Jefferson
Both wrote on ideas and concepts to improve living conditions, to form a new government, and to develop individual minds.

7. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Appealed to rationalistic principles
Man should seek independence in order to restore natural rights taken away by the British.
“These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered.” (from Common Sense)

8. The Boston Tea Party Click to Add Title
“No taxation without representation!”

9. Literature in the Age of Reason
Rooted in reality rather than the imagination
Social, political, and scientific improvements
Pamphlets
Pre-war pamphlets preaching independence
Post-war pamphlets preaching organization and governing

10. Literature in the Age of Reason
The Federalist Papers by Madison and Hamilton: explain the ideas and concepts behind the Constitution
Poetry: unoriginal and imitative of British poets
An American masterpiece: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
not like the Puritan narrative/more about self-discovery
the “rags to riches” (American Dream) story written with clear, witty prose.

11. Age of Faith vs. Age of Reason
Rationalism
Puritanism
Truth is sought through the Bible
Predestination & Divine Providence
Original Sin – man is inherently evil/sinful
Truth is sought through science, logic, and reason
Man controls his own destiny
Man is inherently good

12. Persuasive Techniques
Emotional Appeal: appeals to feelings (fear, anger, or joy) to sway their readers.
Logical Appeal: appeals to reason or logic (factual).
Call to Action: Encourages readers to do something about an issue
Parallelism: Repetition of words, phrases, or sentence structure to emphasize an idea

13. Persuasive Techniques
Aphorism: A brief, pointed statement expressing a wise or clever observation.
Examples:
No good deed goes unpunished. — Clare Boothe Luce
Success always occurs in private, and failure in full view. —Anonymous

14. Theme Rebellion and Protest
Characters, individually or as a group, rebel or protest against injustice and/or unfair treatment or practices.

15. Persuasive Techniques Chart
Examples from Paine
Emotional Appeal
Logical Appeal
Call to Action
Aphorism
Rebellion and Protest