Directions: Use the themes, questions and video clips below to teach and learn with portions of C-SPAN's American Writers program featuring Thomas Paine and Common Sense. Link to the complete video clip list to identify clip descriptions and create your own lessons. Each theme contains questions and video clips appropriate for varying grade levels.
Lesson Credit: Curriculum Advisory Team member, Michael Moore.

1. Describe the writing and publishing process for Common Sense.
2. What was the public's reaction?
3. Make connections between the quality and the content of Thomas Paine's text and the impact it had on individuals and events.
4. What conditions within the society lent the pamphlet its power?
5. Contrast the role of the press in Thomas Paine's day to the role of the press today.
6. How do you suppose the following constituencies reacted to Common Sense? a. British-born American land owners; b. Indentured servants; c. American-born aristocrats; d. American-born commoners

1. List the three main countries with which Thomas Paine was associated and explain his connection with each.
2. How did Thomas Paine identify or relate to a specific country? How would he define country?
3. How did the American Revolution contribute to either the beginning of a country or the end of one.
4. How did Thomas Paine provide ways for others to experience the notion of "country"?
5. To what country, if any, did Thomas Paine belong? Explain.
6. Is there a difference between patriotism and nationalism? Explain.
7. Why did Thomas Paine continually leave one country for another?

1. What conditions did Thomas Paine want to change?
2. Identify the differences between the American Revolution and the War for Independence.
3. What specific words in Common Sense did you find the most "revolutionary"? Describe your reaction.
4. What ideas led to revolutions? What conditions do revolutions seek to either correct or establish?
5. Are revolutions occurring today in our world? If so, do they bear any resemblance to the revolutions that Paine participated in? In what ways?