1. Identify the specific argument that Paine is making in each paragraph. For each of the arguments, identify whether Paine is making and emotional, ethical, or logical appeal and suggest and effective counter argument.
#1: Paine’s argument is that even though going to war will be tough, the victory will be great because of how hard the victory will be. This is an emotional argument because he is trying to use his words to inspire the people to act. An effective counter argument would be what if we don’t win the war? What will happen then? The fallacy in this paragraph is begging the question because he assumes they will win.
#2: His argument is that God will help them to win the war against them and will not let them lose. This is a dogmatic argument. This is an ethical appeal. The fallacy in this is begging the question because he assumes God is on their side. An effective counter argument would be would if God isn’t on their side?
#3: Paine’s argument is that America won’t be free and content until they are free from the rule of Britain. And it is better to split from England sooner than later to benefit the children. This is an emotional and ethical appeal. An effective counter argument would be that being with England would benefit America because of how they can trade with each other and the children should have their choice to fight against England or not to and if they win maybe things won’t be better for their children. The fallacy is begging the question because he assumes thing will be better if they split from England and that they will still win the war.
#4 The argument Paine is making is that the king of England is coming into their home and stealing their things like a thief and when someone does this you have the right to fight back. Paine is arguing by analogy. This is an emotion, ethical, and logical appeal. An effective counter argument would be that the king has a right to do this because he technically owns everything in the colony. The fallacy is faulty analogy.
2. What are the overall strengths and overall weaknesses in his argument?
His main weakness is that he relies heavily on emotions and ethics but not a lot of logic to back it up with facts and reason. His main strengths
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