Rhetorical Analysis Of Common Sense By Thomas Paine

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In his pamphlet Common Sense, Thomas Paine gives several arguments to convince the colonist’s on why they should separate from British rule. He is effective on persuading them to do so because of his use of facts, arguments, and common sense. He is also effective because he appeals to his audience by implementing the bible and understandable metaphors in his text. He argued the causes of wanting Independence was British’s cruel treatment, it would be beneficial to the colonies, and America should not be governed by a small country that is miles away.
Thomas Paine’s uses the bible to convince the society that the British monarchy should not be ruling. Since people in the 1700’s where greatly influenced by the bible he used the scriptures in
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He compares the colonies with a child, he states that, “…because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat…” (Paine 19). His reason for saying this is because some believed that since America had prospered under Britain’s rule in order for it to remain this way it must remain under its control. His response to this idea however is that this is not true and that maybe America could have better results if it did not have Britain controlling it. Another metaphor that he uses is comparing the declaration of Independence to a business man. He states that the colonies will, “…feel like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day…” (Paine 25). Paine writes this because he believes it is only a matter of time that they separate from the British therefore he says it should be done at once because it will torment them until they do …show more content…
When he explains “…there is something absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island” (Paine 25). He explains how it does not make sense that a small country like Britain can be overseeing a large continent like America. He uses an example of a satellite and a planet and how in science the satellite in never larger than the planet, therefore it is not logical that this happens. He also talks about the huge distance that separates the two. He believes that it is foolish that they, “[Have] to be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition…” (Paine 25). He sees Britain’s distance and size compared to America as absurd so it does not make sense that they are the ones controlling

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