Question

Thomas Paine employs ethos at the beginning of his pamphlet for several reasons. Ethos is an appeal to credibility and ethics, aiming to establish the author's trustworthiness and moral character in the eyes of the audience. In the opening of Paine's pamphlet, he likely establishes ethos by:

A) Presenting himself as a common sense philosopher with rational arguments.

B) Citing authoritative sources and historical references to bolster his credibility.

C) Demonstrating a sincere concern for the well-being and rights of the common people.

D) Utilizing a straightforward and accessible writing style that resonates with a broad readership.

Answer 1

Thomas Paine establishes ethos in his pamphlet 'Common Sense' by positioning himself as a rational philosopher, citing authoritative sources, showing concern for the common people's welfare, and using accessible writing to build trust and credibility with his audience.

Step-by-step explanation:

Thomas Paine employs ethos at the beginning of his pamphlet for several reasons. Ethos is a rhetorical appeal to credibility and ethics, often involving presenting oneself as trustworthy and authoritative on the subject being discussed. In Paine's pamphlet Common Sense, he establishes ethos by:

1. Presenting himself as a common sense philosopher with rational arguments, which resonates with the audience's sense of reason.
2. Citing authoritative sources and historical references to bolster his credibility, which provides the audience with a sense of his knowledge and expertise on the subject.
3. Demonstrating a sincere concern for the well-being and rights of the common people, which helps establish an ethical and moral connection with the audience.
4. Utilizing a straightforward and accessible writing style that resonates with a broad readership, thereby widening his appeal and reinforcing his credibility.

These methods work together to convincingly present Paine as a reliable and ethical authority, therefore effectively utilizing ethos to persuade his readers.