Common Sense

🧠 Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Objective:
What did Thomas Paine think was “Common Sense”?
-------------Open "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine in google classroom

By Isiah Jones

Open Ended

Imagine you’re living in 1776. You’ve just paid high taxes on goods you use every day, and British soldiers still patrol your town.
A neighbor gives you a short pamphlet that says it’s “Common Sense” to break away from Britain.

Do you think it would make sense to rebel? Why or why not?
Use evidence from what you already know about the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, or Boston Massacre to support your answer.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Instructions:

1. You will read both excerpts from Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

2. Answer the questions about tone, emotion, and argument.

3. Then, compare your answers with a partner .

4. Finish with the written task at the end.

Match

Match the term with its definition:

• Monarchy

• Revolution

• Pamphlet

• Tone

• Appeal to Emotion

A system of government ruled by a king o

The act of overthrowing a government to

A short printed text meant to persuade o

The author’s attitude or feeling toward

A writing strategy that tries to make re

• A system of government ruled by a king o

• The act of overthrowing a government to

• A short printed text meant to persuade o

• The author’s attitude or feeling toward

• A writing strategy that tries to make re

Multiple Choice

Excerpt 1 Analysis

What event is Paine referring to when he says Britain has “carried fire and sword into your land”?

• A) The Boston Tea Party

• B) The French and Indian War

• C) The Boston Massacre

• D) The early battles between colonists and British soldiers

Open Ended

Excerpt 1 Analysis

How does Paine appeal to emotion in this passage?

Multiple Choice

Excerpt 1 Analysis

The tone of this passage is best described as:

• Calm and forgiving

• Angry and persuasive

• neutral and factual

• sad and hopeless

Multiple Choice

Excerpt 2 Analysis

Who is Paine criticizing in this excerpt?

• A) King George III

• B) Thomas Jefferson

• C) Parliament

• D) The colonists

Open Ended

Excerpt 2 Analysis

What does Paine argue about kings and hereditary rule?

Multiple Choice

Excerpt 2 Analysis

The tone of this passage can best be described as:

• A) Humorous and light

• B) Critical and logical

• C) Joyful and hopeful

• D) Neutral and detached

Comparing Excerpts

Directions: Work with a partner who read a different excerpt.
Together, complete the chart below

Open Ended

Excerpt 1: Main Argument

Open Ended

Excerpt 1: What is "Common Sense"?

Open Ended

Excerpt 2: Main Argument

Open Ended

Excerpt 2: What is "Common Sense"?

Criteria for Success:
✅ I identify the author’s tone and give textual evidence.
✅ I explain how Paine uses emotional appeal to persuade readers.
✅ I connect his message to colonial experiences under British rule.
✅ I explain what made Paine’s ideas seem like “common sense.”

Prompt:
In two well-written paragraphs, explain how Thomas Paine uses tone and emotional appeal to build an argument against British rule and support the American Revolution.

Then, explain why you think he titled his work Common Sense.
What was “common sense” to colonists in 1776?

Written Task (Exit Ticket)