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Thomas Paine ■ The American Crisis Number 1 133

RHETORICAL SITUATION
© Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. For review purposes only. Do not distribute.
1. Identify an ethical, emotional, or logical appeal in Paine’s argument. What IDEAS IN AMERICAN CULTURE
effect does this appeal have on the audience? Why would Paine use such
an appeal?
2. How does the organization of the evidence create an appeal? How do the
evidence and organization work together to persuade the audience?

CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

3. How does Paine create a shared experience between himself and his
audience?
4. Paine supports his claim with evidence. What type of evidence does he
choose? Why would this evidence be effective for this audience?

REASONING AND ORGANIZATION

5. How is the pamphlet organized? Choose a paragraph and discuss the
development. Is it organized inductively or deductively? How does the logic
contribute to the effect?

LANGUAGE AND STYLE

6. Identify any example of imagery. How does the imagery support Paine’s
message?
7. What contrasts does Paine establish? Which rhetorical choices does Paine use
to establish the contrasts? How do the particular contrasts help advance his
perspective?

IDEAS IN AMERICAN CULTURE

8. Who are the modern-day Thomas Paines? In other words, who is fighting for
important causes in our world today? What are some of the similarities in how
those individuals are engaging others in their revolutions? What appeals are they
using to persuade?

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
9. Explain how Paine uses allusion, analogy, and contrast to advance his message
for this particular audience.

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