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Analysis of Thomas Paine´s Pamphlet, Common Sense

Decent Essays

Common Sense
Throughout time, events such as wars and assassinations have occurred that people today can describe as “a turning point in history”. However, not all turning points in history have to be wars, assassinations, etc. In fact, perhaps everybody acknowledges that Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense is a “turning point in history” because it inspired the United States Revolutionary War. Common Sense, a pamphlet, can be credited as to inciting the American Colonies to revolt against Great Britain. However, how could a mere pamphlet concerning such a complex and complicated issue ignite The United States to a major turning point? By focusing on trade sanctions imposed on the United States by Great Britain and insisting the United States could have a better Navy than Great Britain while writing in an easy to read style that emphasizes key words by capitalizing or italicizing, Paine appealed to the average colonist in a way that reinforced the democratic ideals of the early Americans.
Paine realized that his work would have been ignored had it lacked style. Each individual has a certain style that motivates them and appeals to their senses. Realizing this, Paine believed that the manner in which he composed his ideas for the reader to be of importance. In doing so, he mentions various comments with great significance to emphasize the importance of the point he is trying to get across. One statement that he makes is, “The blood of the slain, the weeping

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