189k views
5 votes
Compare and contrast the word choices of Jefferson and Paine. How does each author’s word choice contribute to the tone?

Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.


—The Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson



O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia, and Africa, have long expelled her — Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.


—Common Sense,

Thomas Paine

User Varantir
by
5.5k points

2 Answers

2 votes

Answer:

Sorry I know this is old but I still want to help anyone who is looking for and answer.

analysis of connotations

analysis of the impact of words on the topic

analysis of the impact of words on the theme

analysis of the impact of words on the tone

analysis of the author’s purpose

examples from the text that support my answer

These elements should be included to make your response strong

Step-by-step explanation:

User Drew Nutter
by
6.0k points
7 votes

Answer: I don't know if this is a multiple choice question or not, but I would contend that even though both texts are referring to the same subject (a call for independence), the tone in Jefferson's text is serene, formal and argumentative, whether the tone in Paine's text is more emotional, informal and persuasive.

Explanation: The Declaration of Independence and Common Sense were both written in 1776 (although Common Sense appeared a few months earlier), but whether the former is a formal statement written by a committee of specialists and addressed to the Congress that declares the United States an independent nation, the latter is a pamphlet that encourages its readers, common people after all, to seek independence from Great Britain. The choice of words has been, therefore, very carefully made. The Declaration of Independence features words that grant it a legal, forceful, serious and objective tone (destructive, right, abolish, institute, principles, powers). The text does not address anybody in particular and it is logical, direct and to the point. Common Sense, however, can afford to appeal to the emotions of its readers and to address them more directly. It uses various exclamations, the passive voice, powerful and serious words (tyranny, oppression, warning), overstatements, and Old English words and expressions (O ye, hath), and it personifies the continents as if to make the readers feel for them, which grant it a more lyrical, less formal, and very persuasive tone.

User Renaud Pacalet
by
5.3k points