Question

\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.

Explanation:

The sentence uses appeal to fear (scare tactic). Thomas Paine warns opponents of independence that they will unleash "eternal tyranny" by leaving the government seat vacant. This creates a sense of dread about the consequences of their actions, aiming to persuade them to support independence by highlighting the negative, fearful outcome of opposing it. Additionally, the use of "ye" (a direct address to the audience) adds a persuasive, urgent tone, personalizing the appeal to engage listeners emotionally.

Answer:

The rhetorical technique is an appeal to fear (scare tactic). Paine warns opponents of independence that opposing it will open the door to "eternal tyranny," using fear of a negative outcome to persuade them to support independence. The direct address ("ye") also enhances emotional engagement and urgency.