“The Crisis” by Thomas Paine
Contrast and Concession: Contrast and concession also known as “rebuttal” or “counter argument” is effective
because it positions the speaker as open-minded and willing to negotiate by conceding to the opposing side about an
issue, but then the speaker immediately provides a contrast to support the speaker’s own position. This device is
made visible through the use of concessive conjunctions and prepositional phrases:
Concessive Conjunctions (transitions)
however; but; still; yet; while; nevertheless; although;
even though, whereas
Concession
Prepositional Phrases or Opening Preposition Words
in contrast; on the other hand; in spite of; one could also say;
despite; instead of
Contrast
The summer soldier and the sunshine
patriot will in this crisis, shrink from
the service of his country
But he that stands now, deserves the
love and thanks of man and woman.
Grammatical resource used to show
relationship
But: concessive conjunction
Citation to support or challenge positions: citations (facts, statistics, anecdotes, etc.) are used to strengthen
arguments by providing supporting evidence or evidence that challenges an alternate position.
Citation
Purpose (to support or
challenge)
Ex:“Britain, with an army
to enforce her tyranny, has
declared that she has the
right to not only tax but “to
bind us in all cases
whatsoever”
To challenge Britain’s
claim that they have
control over America and
also support America’s
revolt against Britain
Status of Source
Statute from British
Parliament
Effect
Gives audience evidence from a
legal document of Britain’s
intentions to dominate
Americans.
Repetition: Repetition is the repeated use of the same word or word pattern as a rhetorical device. It is used to
reinforce and call attention to main ideas.
Repetition
Ex. “bind me in all cases whatsoever”
(para. 1 & para. 3)
Purpose/Effect
The repetition of the phrase is meant to remind readers at the end of the passage
why they are fighting and to reiterate how Britain plans to subjugate them.
Modality: modality refers to a broad range of grammatical resources used to temper or modulate positions. In
persuasive texts, speakers and writers use modal verbs to communicate degrees of possibility, strength of opinion or
recommendation.
Low possibility
Medium possibility
High possibility
less strong recommendation
medium strength
strong recommendation
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Might
may
could
can
would
will
should
must
Sentence with modal
verb
Degree (low, medium,
high)
Purpose
Effect
Ex: “If there must be
trouble let it be in my day,
that my child may have
peace.
must=high
may=low
must: strength of opinion
may: degree of possibility
The author uses the high modal
verb “must” to show how he
feels that war is inevitable. He
uses “may,” a low modal verb
to show that the possibility of
peace is unknown, maybe
impossible.
Loaded Diction: Loaded language usually contains words with strong positive or negative connotations
that unfairly frame words into limited or biased contexts.
Loaded Word
Ex. If this “is not slavery, then there is not such a thing
as slavery upon earth”
Effect
Paine uses the term “slavery” to show how Britain has no
respect for the rights of those living in the Colonies and uses
them to make money for themselves (taxing Colonies to
support Britain).
Rhetorical Question: A rhetorical question is asked in order to make a point and is posed for the sake of
encouraging its listener to consider a message or viewpoint. A rhetorical question does not usually require an
immediate answer, but is meant to draw attention to and start a meaningful discussion on the matter.
Rhetorical Question
Ex. “am I to suffer it?”
Purpose
The author uses the rhetorical question to prove that this is a
just war and that we are the victims, not the aggressors.
Restatement: Restatement is when you express the same idea in different words to clarify and stress key points.
This device is used to ensure that main points are reiterated and understood by all.
Original Statement
Ex. What we obtain too cheap, we
esteem too lightly
Re-stated version of original
Tis dearness only that gives
everything its value
Effect
Paine uses the aphorism in the original
statement to explain how we only value
things we work hard for. The re-stated
idea reiterates the point that we fight for
what we value.
Parallelism: Parallelism also known as “parallel structure” is the repetition of words or phrases that have similar
grammatical structure. Parallelism adds clarity to a speech; is pleasing to the ear; and gives ideas of similar
importance, similar grammatical structures.
Parallel Structure
Ex. ‘the far and the near, the home countries and the
back, the rich and the poor, will suffer or rejoice alike”
Effect/Purpose
Parallelism is used to show how all people, however different,
will be affected by the war.
Call to Action: A call to action is a statement usually (but not always) found near the conclusion of a persuasive text
that summons the reader/listener to act.
Call to Action
Ex. “I call not upon a few, but upon all…”
Action that is being Requested
For all Americans to participate in the Revolution