Thomas PaineS Common Sense Essays - American Revolution, Pamphlets

Thomas Paine'S Common Sense In Thomas Paines Common Sense, there are some similarities and differences in the tone as compared to Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. Paines approach to his work contrasts that of Jeffersons. However, they still use the same basic techniques to making their feelings known, which include examining the problem, giving reasons for why it is a problem, and offering their opinion on the solution. Jeffersons and Paines difference in their tone is evident when examining who they are addressing the documents to, the overall layout of their documents, and the relative importance of the documents. Thomas Paine constructs Common Sense as an editorial on the subject of the relationship between the Colonies and Great Britain. Through the paper, he hopes to educate his fellow Americans about this subject. In his introduction, he says he feels that there is a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong which gives it a superficial appearance of being right (693). He is alluding to the relationship, also calling it a violent abuse of power (693). This choice of words is similar to those of Jefferson, who asserts that the king had established an absolute tyranny over the states. Both men set an immediate understanding about their feelings towards the rule of Great Britain over the States. However, where Common Sense seems to be an opinionated essay, Thomas Jefferson writes somewhat of a call to battle. Paine generally seems to be alerting his readers to the fact that there is more going on than they are aware of. Jefferson, on the other hand, begins his declaration by stating, When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another (715). Unlike Paine, this seems to presuppose that readers are aware of the plight of the nation, and Jefferson is announcing that the time has come to take a stand. The main part of Common Sense contrasts in concept with the majority of the Decl aration of Independence. Jefferson takes a rather rough approach to his writing style, deciding to introduce his ideas in the beginning few paragraphs, then proceeding to list his grievances in the bulk of the piece. Paine however, presents his ideas in more of a persuasive essay style. By providing his readers with more of a storytelling format, he is able to bring them up to date with what is happening, as he does with such paragraph introductions such as It hath lately been asserted in Parliament (695) and But Britain is the parent country, say some (695). These phrases communicate to the reader what has been going on, and allows Paine to give his audience a background that will allow them understanding of his propositions. Jefferson simply lists one by one, all of his charges against the king. It assumes your knowledge of events leading up to his document; if not, then you have only his facts to rely on. One of the obvious reasons for the difference in tone between these two wri ters however, can simply be the situation in which both pieces of writing were constructed. This is evident even from the heading of Paines third chapter, Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs. The word thoughts can infer that what follows is simply one mans conception on how things are and how they should be; that they may not necessarily reflect the true views of one nation. In fact, Paine says this in his introductory paragraph, by disclaiming that perhaps the sentiments contained in the following pages are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor (693). By this, he obviously means that his word may not speak for all. In contrast, the Declaration of Independence is a bold and assertive document. Jefferson states that We hold these truths to be self-evident (715) and goes on to list the rights he feels the States are denied by being in allegiance with Britain. By using we, he implies reference to all the people of the States. In reality, he probab ly only meant wealthy white men, but the insinuation is that he is the voice of the people. Additionally, to conclude