Miracle Agyapong
Mrs.Bell
AP English Language and Composition
4 October 2014 Persuasive Methods Used by Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine, a pamphleteer, revolutionary, journalist and writer (among other attributes) is mostly known for his benefactions made regarding the American Revolution. Paine, in his work, The American Crisis, No. 1, discloses his opinion on Britain, tories and colonist. The American Crisis, No. 1 was written during the Revolutionary War, the time where American seemed destined to be defeated (Paine 112). His purpose of writing this work was to encourage and motivate the American soldiers and colonist to continue to fight for their freedom, what is right, the future of their loved ones and win the war against Britain. “The heart that feels not now, is dead; the blood of his children will curse his cowardice...them happy” (Paine 114). Paine strained the importance of unity amongst the colonies in order to fight against Britain. (www.deangroup2.blogspot.com). America would suffer more if the colonies did not. “Worse ruin than any we have yet thought of.” Paine uses negatives, pathos, logos, and ethos to persuade his audience into fighting against Britain.
When The American Crisis, No.1 was written, the Revolutionary war was occurring.
The British government had passed a series of laws that limited the rights of colonists. The main conflict was no taxation without representation. Some major events that led to the American Revolution are the Proclamation of 1763, Sugar Act, and the Stamp Act. The Proclamation of 1763 forbid settlement west of the Proclamation line, the Sugar Act forced taxes on trade and smugglers had to provide evidence of their innocence, the Stamp Act required colonists to pay direct tax on printed materials (Appleby 57). This led Paine into writing this piece. Paine wanted to merge the nations together, ask for help “I call not upon a few but upon all,not on this state or that state but on every state: up and help us;" ( Paine) , encourage soldiers and colonists to continue to fight because it would end in victory "The harder the conflict,the more glorious the triump." ( Paine ) , critize King George III and declare Britain as an enemy "Twice we marched back to meet the enemy." (Paine) and to alert colonists that if they do not fight now they will lose their freedom. "Sought to avoid the calamities of war." ( Paine ) . Paine argued that colonists and soldiers had to continue to fight because even though Ameri a claims to be independent , it is still a "slave" to Britain. " Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right... not such a thing as slavery upon Earth." ( Paine ) , everyone supporting Britain is a coward ( Paine ) " Every Tory is a coward; for servile, slavish... can be brave." , colonist can't expect Britain to handle things in a proper, orderly manner , since they are the cause of the conflict " It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from who have refused to do justice... is only a trick of war..." , everyone needs to fight "it matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all... will suffer or rejoice alike." , colonist need to fight and stand up for what is right , if not it will later affect them , their families, and freedom "The heart that feels not, is dead; the blood of his children will curse his cowardice... them happy." , America will suffer more if the colonies don't unite and fight , " worse ruin than any we have yet thought of," .
Paine uses persuasive techniques to persuade his audience to continue to fight . Paine uses negatives , "Britain , with an army to enforce her tyranny ... is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth." , since the are slaves in the world , Britain is being a tyrant and colonists are slaves . Paine says this in order to enrage colonists and make them want to fight , who would want to be a slave? Paine also says "Say not