;The Crisis, Number 1; by Thomas Paine; Tone

In Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “The Crisis, Number 1” he uses a variety of tones to speak upon his purpose. Paine has a serious tone to help exemplify the situation ahead.

For example, Paine states in the first sentence that “These are the times that try men’s souls” (108). By Paine starting off with such a deliberate and severe speaking style, he is accentuating the seriousness behind his passion for persuading America against Britain rule. Paine also uses emotional appeal to relate to his people in order to help persuade even further. Phrases like “The summer soldier” are used to strike one’s emotions. By Paine referring to soldiers as this, he is appealing to them personally by making them feel motivated to stick with the army and their country as well. Another tone of speech Paine uses is persuasion.

This is demonstrated when Paine comments “and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated”. Paine’s tone is seen as more convincing when he uses strong wording because it is a reminder of what’s at stake for the American people; therefore, they may be more motivated to fight for what is rightfully theirs. Tone plays an enormous role in any type of writing, and Paine exhibits his thoroughly and clearly.