T- Paine and his Common Sense

When the colonies decided to break free from Britain, many people were forced to chose sides. While loyalist wanted to stay loyal to the crown, a new group of people called the patriots decided it was time to form their own country separate from the current monarchy that was in power. 

Each side attempted to persuade one another to join, or not join, the fight. Pamphlets and newspapers were both common ways to get both positive and negative ideas about revolution across the colonies. This webquest will highlight Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense. Paine's work  became the most wide read publishing of its time and help gather support for the patriots who were ready for a change. 

During the American Revolution, many people wrote articles to sway others to join their side. Thomas Paine was no exception. You are going to learn more about how Thomas Paine helped gather support for the Patriots during the American Revolution. After, you will write your own persuasive article convincing people to either join the Loyalists or Patriots. 

Step 1: Research Thomas Paine's Common Sense.

Step 2: Choose one paragraph from Common Sense and summarize.

Step 3: Write about how the paragraph you chose would have affected a soldier at the time. You must address how this was a form of propaganda.

Step 4: Choose an event that led up to the American Revolution and write a two paragraph article persuading your reader to take one side. Show your best version of propaganda.

Step 1: Get to know Thomas Paine and Common Sense

Background information and summaries:

1. http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/thomas-paine-common-sense-an…

2. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/commonsense/summary.html

 

Step 2: Pick one paragraph of “Common Sense” and write a summary. This summary will include the main idea of the paragraph and any supporting details provided by Thomas Paine. 

Actual Document:

http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/

Step 3: George Washington ordered his officers to read Common Sense to his troops. Write a paragraph explaining how the paragraph you chose would have impacted an American Soldier and why Washington found it valuable for a soldier to hear. 

Reminder of how propaganda is used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw8mQFCfGxE

Examples of propaganda in American Revolution:

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/british/brit-2.html

Step 4: Choose an event that led up to the American Revolution and write a two paragraph article persuading your reader to take one side. Bonus points if you represent the British point of view. Show your best version of propaganda (use techniques shown in the persuasion/ propaganda video above).

List of Events from American Revolution:

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm

 

Evaluation Rubric   Exemplary 4 Very Good 3 Developing 2 Beginning 1 Score Ideas (20%) & Voice (10%) The essay is informative with a clear focus and specific details The voice sounds knowledgeable and confident. The essay is informative with a clear focus. More specific details are needed. The voice sounds well-informed most of the time. The focus of the essay needs to be clearer, and more specific details are needed. The voice sometimes sounds unsure. The topic needs to be narrowed or expanded. Many more specific details are needed. The voice sounds unsure. Organization (20%) The beginning is interesting. The middle supports the focus. The ending works well. Transitions are used. The essay is divided into a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Some transitions are used. The beginning or ending is weak. The middle needs a paragraph for each main point. More transitions are needed. The beginning, middle, and ending all run together. Paragraphs and transitions are needed. Word Choice (10%) & Sentence Fluency (10%) Specific nouns and action verbs make the essay clear and informative. Unfamiliar terms are defined. The sentences read smoothly. A variety of sentences is used. Some nouns and verbs could be more specific. Unfamiliar terms are defined. Most of the sentences read smoothly, but more variety is needed. Too many general words are used. Specific nouns and verbs are needed. Some words need to be defined. Many short, choppy sentences need to be combined to make a better variety of sentences. General or missing words make this essay hard to understand. Many sentences are choppy or incomplete and need to be rewritten. Expository Ideas (10%) & Support for Position (20%) Total of 100% The essay has a few minor errors in punctuation, spelling, or grammar. Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader's concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counter-argument. The essay has few errors in punctuation, spelling, or grammar. Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. Some errors cause confusion. Includes 2 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. Many errors make the essay confusing and hard to read. Includes 1 or fewer pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences. Total Score: Total of 28 pts.

Congratulations you have learned how powerful words can be- especially during war time!

After completing the research and the tasks of this webquest, you should have learned how correct and masterful use of the English language helped the colonists achieve victory. Thomas Paine and many other colonists used their words and power of pursuasion to help gain a victory for the Patriots. 

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