Please take home your red book and review the excerpt from Thomas Paine's "The Crisis" (130-132). Remind yourselves that his purpose (our "why" step) is to reassure his audience that although the fighting in the Revolutionary War may be difficult, it is worth it to keep going.
Then create a chart or outline (of your preference) in which you identify three different literary or rhetorical devices that Paine uses to help him achieve this. You will provide a quotation for each device (your where and what) and analyze HOW this device is creating effects. Please note from the all caps on HOW that this step is really important and needs to be specified and in a lot of detail. An example (that you can't use) is provided below.
You may wish to choose from these devices/techniques:
aphorism
metaphor
appeal to anecdote
appeal to logic
appeal to ethos
appeal to emotion
faulty dilemma
What/Where:
Paine uses an aphorism when he states, "These are the times that try men's souls" (130).
How:
Because this is an aphorism, Paine creates a short memorable saying that is likely to stay with his audience long after they have finished reading his pamphlet. The specific idea behind his aphorism is an acknowledgement of how difficult current times are. It's possible that these men have been separated from their families for extended periods of time and were short of food and other necessities. The people reading it may also have fears for their lives or for the lives of others they are close to. By acknowledging the truth of these difficulties at the beginning, instead of trying to ignore the hardships, he validates the sacrifices they are making with the result that the men feel pride in themselves for overcoming these challenges and pride in the cause they are fighting for.
Why:
By making them ultimately focus on their pride instead of their discomfort, he reassures them that they are making the right decision to keep fighting the British for independence even if it means temporary sacrifices.
