Common Sense by Thomas Paine
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Reading and Writing Workshop
Revolutionary Words – A Study of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Overview:
This workshop explores Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776), one of the most influential pamphlets in American history. Through close reading, historical context, and reflective and persuasive writing activities, participants will engage deeply with the themes of independence, government, and revolution.
Primary Text:
Session 1: Introduction to Revolution and Rhetoric
Focus: Contextualizing Common Sense in Revolutionary America
Reading:
Write a response to the question: What is the proper role of government? Use Paine’s and Jefferson’s ideas to frame your answer.
Session 2: Government vs. Society
Focus: Distinction between society and government; natural rights
Reading:
Compare Locke’s view of the social contract with Paine’s. Write a mini-essay or dialogue between them.
Session 3: Monarchy and Hereditary Succession
Focus: Criticism of monarchy; religious and rational appeals
Reading:
Write a persuasive speech or op-ed arguing either for or against monarchy using 18th-century rhetorical style.
Session 4: Independence is Common Sense
Focus: The case for American independence
Reading:
Draft a pamphlet or modern blog post persuading colonists to declare independence, incorporating Paine’s logic and style.
Session 5: The Future of a Republic
Focus: Paine’s vision for a democratic republic
Reading:
Imagine you are part of a constitutional convention. Write a proposal for a republic inspired by Paine’s arguments.
Session 6: Revolutionary Rhetoric Then and Now
Focus: Legacy of Paine’s rhetoric in modern political speech
Reading:
Write a modern speech that uses Paine’s themes and rhetorical strategies to address a current issue.
Final Project: Revolutionary Voices Anthology
Compile your best writings from the sessions into a personal Common Sense anthology, including:
Overview:
This workshop explores Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776), one of the most influential pamphlets in American history. Through close reading, historical context, and reflective and persuasive writing activities, participants will engage deeply with the themes of independence, government, and revolution.
Primary Text:
- Thomas Paine, Common Sense (1776)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/147
Session 1: Introduction to Revolution and Rhetoric
Focus: Contextualizing Common Sense in Revolutionary America
Reading:
- Common Sense, Introduction & First Section: “Of the Origin and Design of Government”
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/147/pg147-images.html#link2HCH0001 - Declaration of Independence (1776)
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
Write a response to the question: What is the proper role of government? Use Paine’s and Jefferson’s ideas to frame your answer.
Session 2: Government vs. Society
Focus: Distinction between society and government; natural rights
Reading:
- Common Sense, Section I: “Of the Origin and Design of Government”
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/147/pg147-images.html#link2HCH0001 - John Locke, Second Treatise of Government (excerpts on natural rights and social contract)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7370
Compare Locke’s view of the social contract with Paine’s. Write a mini-essay or dialogue between them.
Session 3: Monarchy and Hereditary Succession
Focus: Criticism of monarchy; religious and rational appeals
Reading:
- Common Sense, Section II: “Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession”
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/147/pg147-images.html#link2HCH0002 - Excerpt from the English Bill of Rights (1689)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27588
Write a persuasive speech or op-ed arguing either for or against monarchy using 18th-century rhetorical style.
Session 4: Independence is Common Sense
Focus: The case for American independence
Reading:
- Common Sense, Section III: “Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs”
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/147/pg147-images.html#link2HCH0003 - George Washington’s Letter to Congress (1776) supporting Paine’s influence
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-05-02-0002
Draft a pamphlet or modern blog post persuading colonists to declare independence, incorporating Paine’s logic and style.
Session 5: The Future of a Republic
Focus: Paine’s vision for a democratic republic
Reading:
- Common Sense, Section IV: “Of the Present Ability of America”
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/147/pg147-images.html#link2HCH0004 - Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws (excerpts on republican government)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27501
Imagine you are part of a constitutional convention. Write a proposal for a republic inspired by Paine’s arguments.
Session 6: Revolutionary Rhetoric Then and Now
Focus: Legacy of Paine’s rhetoric in modern political speech
Reading:
- Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address (1863)
https://www.loc.gov/resource/rbpe.24404500/?sp=1 - Martin Luther King Jr., “I Have a Dream” (1963)
https://www.archives.gov/files/press/exhibits/dream-speech.pdf
Write a modern speech that uses Paine’s themes and rhetorical strategies to address a current issue.
Final Project: Revolutionary Voices Anthology
Compile your best writings from the sessions into a personal Common Sense anthology, including:
- Reflection on Paine’s influence
- Personal statement of beliefs about government and freedom
- Original speech or pamphlet