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“Ye that oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do; ye are opening a door to eternal tyranny, by keeping vacant the seat of government.” —Thomas Paine, Common Sense Analyze the rhetorical technique in the sentence above. Write your answer in the box

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Paine's use of apostrophe in this sentence enhances the rhetorical effect of his argument and adds a sense of urgency and importance to his message.

In the sentence above, Thomas Paine uses a rhetorical technique known as apostrophe. Apostrophe is a figure of speech where the speaker directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or entity. In this case, Paine addresses those who oppose independence by using the word "ye."

By directly addressing those who oppose independence, Paine is able to make his argument more powerful and persuasive. He suggests that they do not understand the consequences of their actions, stating that they are "opening a door to eternal tyranny." Paine uses strong language to convey his message, warning that by keeping the seat of government vacant, they are allowing for the potential of an oppressive regime.

Through this use of apostrophe, Paine is able to engage the reader and make them reflect on the potential outcomes of their opposition to independence. He appeals to their sense of logic and warns them about the dangers they may be unaware of.

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