Write your own
“Common Sense” Pamphlet
Common Sense Writing Activities for Rabble Rousers
Name: _________________________
T
homas Paine wrote Common Sense to persuade colonists that they
needed to split from Great Britain, declare independence, and
become “Americans.” That is the key element in persuasive
writing—convincing readers to agree with your point of view. Common
Sense came out as a pamphlet. Because it had no cover or binding, it was
affordable to publish and could be sold cheaply so that most people could
afford to buy a copy. (Why do you think that was important?)
To influence the reader, elements of persuasive essays contain the
following techniques:
Appeal to logic
Appeal to emotion
Appeal to reason
Appeal to a higher cause or purpose
Use comparisons
Exaggerate
State opinion as fact
Pick something you want changed. Maybe you
want microwaves in the cafeteria, all-natural organic candy bars in the
vending machines, or a four-day school week instead of five. The sky’s
the limit. Pick something you want changed, sharpen your quill, and
begin writing!
Download this and other free activities in 8.5 x 11 pdf formats at
www.newcommonsensebook.com!
Your pamphlet will consist of 6 Parts: • Part 1: Cover Page (title, addresses target audience, and author) • Part 2: What’s the problem? Clearly state the problem. • Part 3: What needs to change and how. Give your readers a call to action; what do they need to do to fix this problem? • Part 4: Why this change would be better. Explain the positive outcomes this change would bring. • Part 5: A Ben Franklin guide to moral perfection (self-­‐improvement). Like Ben Franklin was trying to better himself, you will create a guide to teach your readers how they can better themselves. You must incorporate the Franklin quote you chose last week into this section somehow. Get creative! • Part 6: Advertisement of your choice that reflects the Rationalism literary period Your pamphlet should include Ø
An appeal to logic (logos: think logical explanations, statistics, facts) Ø
An appeal to emotion (pathos: use vivid imagery and descriptive language. Intended to make the reader feel an emotion!) Ø
An appeal to reason (ethos/ethical appeal: convincing by the character of the author. We tend to believe people we respect or admire) Feel free to exaggerate or state opinion as fact! Inside of Pamphlet (Must be in complete sentences, paragraph format): What’s the problem? #2 (Inside Left) What needs to change and how (call to action) Why this change would be better #3 (Inside Center) #4 (Inside Right) Backside Pages: Create an Advertisement! Guide to Self Must be reflective of Improvement Rationalism literary (Must incorporate your period (as in an ad for an Ben Franklin quote iPad would not be somewhere…get creative!) acceptable), and must be suitable for your target audience (students at CCHS) #5 (Back Left) #6 (Back Center) Title Author Address your target audience! #1 (Front/Cover) Brainstorm Problems students at CCHS experience (list as many as you can): Pick your favorite and think of some solutions (if you can’t think of any solutions, pick a new issue): Your pamphlet will be graded on: Content: Clearly explains problem and solution effectively using ethos, pathos, and logos. Guide to self-­‐improvement is thoughtful and Franklin quote is used appropriately. Creativity: Advertisement and set up of pamphlet is well done/creative Effort: Pamphlet does not look thrown together. Author clearly put effort into the appearance of the pamphlet. If you work with a partner, standards will be even higher!