Part B Now you will write opening and closing statements for your debate. Each statement should be one to three minutes long.

The opening statement will introduce the topic of the argument and should include the following elements:

a hook that grabs the attention of the audience
a presentation of the topic of the speech
a thesis statement that will note a clear purpose or message of the speech
The closing statement helps bring the debate to an end and should include the following elements:

a reminder of the purpose of the debate
a summary of the main points made during the debate
a note on why your argument is better than your opponent's argument
Remember, no new arguments should be presented in the closing statement.

Reread this portion of the excerpted text from common sense. men of passive tempers look somewhat lightly over the offenses of britain, and, still hoping for the best, are apt to call out, come, we shall be friends again for all this. but examine the passions and feelings of mankind. bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature, and then tell me, whether you can hereafter love, honor, and faithfully serve the power that hath carried fire and sword into your land? if you cannot do all these, then are you only deceiving yourselves, and by your delay bringing ruin upon posterity. your future connection with britain, whom you can neither love nor honor, will be forced and unnatural, and being formed only on the plan of present convenience, will in a little time fall into a relapse more wretched than the first. what key concept about the relationship between an abusive government and its citizens does paine want readers to understand? use evidence from the text to support your response. your response should be one to two complete paragraphs.