Common Sense

Thomas Paine's Common Sense could not have better summed up what early Americans thought about the Parliamentary government of England. Colonial Americans had to have all been under the same mentality of Paine or they never would have left England in the first place.

As far as his writing style goes, Paine's liberal use of capitalization really exenuates many of his points. In particular I noticed the term ELECT or some variation there of. I think this must have been one of the points that he wanted to make sure that he brought accross. With the use of that term he hoped to bring accross the important difference between the colonies and England. That is, they elected there government and the U.S. didn't. Therefore, the US is not to be subjects of England's tyrannical rule.

In addtion to the emphasis placed on ELECTION, Paine brought accross the emphasis of the tyrrancial rule of the KING. Liberty of the American people was really brought into question with his opinions. Were the American people really free is there was a king checking over them?

Common Sense is a historical document and a template for persuasive writing even today. Unlike many other historical documents, people today can still relate to the emotions that Paine evoked through his writing.