Essay - The Writings of Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin is Most Often...

The Writings of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is most often regarded for h***** role as a founding f*****ther. Franklin drafted and then later signed the Declaration of Independence. While this may have been Franklin's most important act, there are many others he should be remembered for. Franklin was an influential man and responsible ***** ***** changes in society, changes that formed the basis for ***** society we have today, such as starting the first public school. In all of his actions, it ***** Franklin as a wr*****er ***** made his achievements possible. He used his writing skills to argue for social change, to express his opinions and to take education to the common people.

Writing ***** Social Change

***** used his writing skills to great effect ***** create social change. He was an ideas man, with many ***** on society and its direction. The difference between Franklin and other ***** men, is that he knew how to ***** those ideas.

Franklin describes in his autobiography a "cry among the people for more paper money, only fifteen thous***** pounds being extant in the province, and that soon to be sunk." (Franklin, Autobiography VII). This proposal was rejected by the rich men, but ***** argued for the *****, believing that it would improve working and living conditions ***** the *****. As Franklin describes, "Our debates possess'd me so fully of the subject, ***** I wrote and printed an *****onymous pamphlet on it" (Franklin, Autobiography *****). As Franklin describes, the rich ***** had no choice but to agree ***** creating ***** *****, "they happening to ***** no wr*****ers among them that were able ***** answer it, their opposition slacken'd, ***** the point was carried by a majority in ***** House" (Franklin, ***** VII). This is just one example ***** ***** using h***** ***** skills to express his opinions and force action to be taken. Franklin was well aware that his writing skills were an *****ive power, "This was another advantage gain'd ***** my *****ing ***** to write" (*****, Autobiography VII).

***** example of Franklin *****owing for ***** to be taken for the good of the people is when h***** friend, T*****omas Bond, proposed building a hospit*****l in Philadelphia. Frankl***** supported ***** building of the hospital, with the ***** action taken ********** to "prepare ***** minds ***** the people by writing on ***** ***** in the newspapers, which was my usual custom in such cases" (*****in, Autobiography XI).

Another example is when Franklin observed that the unpaved road made it difficult ***** ***** people, "I ***** liv'd near what was call'd the Jersey Market, and saw with pain ***** inhabitants wading in mud while purchasing ***** provisi*****s" (Franklin, Autobiography *****). Again Franklin forced ***** on the problem via his writing skills, "By talking and ***** on ***** subject, I was at length instrumental in getting the street pav'd with st***** ***** the market ***** the brick'd foot-pavement" (*****, Autobiography XI).

Franklin was al***** resp*****sible for establishing a foot patrol ***** writing about the value