Read the Thomas Paine excerpt from Common Sense in the Primary Source Reader
Q1: Though this is not Thomas Paine’s entire work, consider these first two paragraphs part of the introduction to his writing. Based on these statements, what to do expect him to write about?
[[The full work can be found at https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/147]]
Q2: Paine uses a writing tool called rhetoric, with this line “The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind”. What is it? What is his intent with the use of rhetoric here?
Q3: What is the context of Paine’s statement here? “Mankind being originally equals in the order of creation.” What is your reaction to it? How does this statement relate to today’s issues?
Q4: Paine discusses his view of mankind and specific distinctions. List the distinctions and the characteristics of them as Paine sees them. Link them to present day, if you cannot, explain why?
Q5: Paine is discussing his problem with one distinction of mankind in particular. Which distinction is a problem for him? What is the problem as Paine sees it? Does this have relevance today? Explain?
Q6: What is Paine asking of his audience in this conclusion? Does this match his introduction?