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Common Sense Analysis

Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" argues that America should declare independence from Britain. Paine aims to openly call for independence and convince common people to fight for freedom. He maintains a reasonable tone to appear unbiased. Paine claims he only presents facts and logic. He demonizes Britain's government as tyrannical and unnecessary. Paine gains trust through irrefutable facts, making his criticisms of Britain seem true. He uses parallel structure and repetition to subtly spread his pro-independence message. Descriptive language like "tyranny" conveys Paine's negative view of England to readers. Paine says America has outgrown Britain and can rely on other European trade. Independence is the best path forward

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Common Sense Analysis

Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" argues that America should declare independence from Britain. Paine aims to openly call for independence and convince common people to fight for freedom. He maintains a reasonable tone to appear unbiased. Paine claims he only presents facts and logic. He demonizes Britain's government as tyrannical and unnecessary. Paine gains trust through irrefutable facts, making his criticisms of Britain seem true. He uses parallel structure and repetition to subtly spread his pro-independence message. Descriptive language like "tyranny" conveys Paine's negative view of England to readers. Paine says America has outgrown Britain and can rely on other European trade. Independence is the best path forward

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Faith Stahl

Common Sense Analysis


Philosopher, Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense, argues that America
should break away from Britains corrupt government. Paines purpose is to openly ask Great
Britain for independence and persuade other commoners to fight for their freedom. He adopts a
reasonable tone in order to convey to his pre-revolutionary readers that he hasnt written with
any bias.
Paine begins his pamphlet by stating that he offers nothing more than simple facts, plain
arguments, and common sense (326). This gives him credibility from the start, persuading the
audience through the appeal to ethics, ethos. He uses the pamphlet to demonize Great Britain and
convince the colonists of its government as being a necessary evil. Paine gains the readers
trust through countless irrefutable facts, so when he adds in his thoughts towards Great Britain,
the audience believes him and deems his words to be true.
Paine makes use of the rhetorical device, parallelism, several times within the course of a
paragraph: a country, a province, or a kingdoma day, a year, or an age. union, faith, and
honor (327). This helps to create flow within the text and employs repetition, which is useful in
getting a thought to stay in the readers minds. Paine uses this rhetorical strategy to get his ideas
of revolt out to the readers, but does so in a subtle way in order to persuade Americans without
appearing to them as too radical and extreme.
Paine uses diction, such as tyranny, monster and cruelty, to link nefarious actions
back to Great Britain and King George III. This descriptive and strong choice of diction conveys
the authors feelings towards England and gives out the same effect and emotions to the readers.
He argues that America has evolved, and no longer needs help from Great Britain, as they are
only hurting us with their tyrannical government.
Paine personifies Europe as the parent country of America, rather than England
specifically. He argues his point by writing that no parent would seek to devour their young,
(328) which he believes is exactly what England is doing. Paine goes on to say that Great Britain
used this terminology of being known as the mother country to play with the colonists minds
and emotions, ultimately keeping them from revolt. England is not the only European country,
and does not deserve the credit of being Americas mother country. He sees Great Britain as
Americas persecutor and explains with logical reasoning to the colonists as to why this is true.
Paine argues that gaining independence from Great Britain is a good thing, and we have
resources of our own to protect us, like trade with other parts of Europe. Paine closes the
argument by stating that there wont be a better time to fight for independence, and that it will
only get harder the longer they wait. There is no forgiving England for what they have done:

The last cord now is broken, the people of England are presenting addresses against us. Paine
reaches out to the Patriots, telling them that it is possible to overcome Britains power.

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