Wednesday, January 30, 2008: Responding to Thomas Paine January 31, 2008

Tonight we read the excerpt from The Crisis, No.1.  What techniques of persuasion did he use in this writing to convince his audience of his position? 

• Identify at least three devices he uses (hyperbole, imagery, allusion, analogy, rhetorical question) and provide an example of each one in our reading to argue his position; be sure to cite the page number of each example.  
• Do you feel his techniques are effective?  Why or why not? 
•  Do you think this piece of writing is as stirring or persuasive as the one we read by Patrick Henry last night?  Why or why not?

Respond in a thoughtful and reflective paragraph of 10-12 sentences.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008: Responding to Patrick Henry January 29, 2008

What was Henry’s purpose in this speech?   Who was his audience? Were his words appropriate for his audience? Why or why not? What were some of the rhetorical questions that Henry used? What purpose do rhetorical questions serve in a speech?  What were some of the literary allusions he used in this speech to persuade his audience that America had to fight for independence? 

If you had been a member of the Virginia Convention listening to his speech, would you have been swayed by his arguments?  Why or why not?   What is your gut-level reaction to this speech?

In two paragraphs, respond to each set of questions.  Write a paragraph of 8-10 sentences for each set of questions, please.