If the purpose of the paragraph is to inform, the word that best fits in the blank would be "writer."
1. Thomas Paine is described as a person who wrote pamphlets that influenced many people and were instrumental in starting the American Revolution.
2. The fact that he skillfully communicated the ideas of the Revolution to everyone, from farmers to intellectuals, highlights his role as a writer who effectively conveyed important messages through his written work.
3. By choosing the word "writer" to fill in the blank, it emphasizes the primary role of Thomas Paine in informing and influencing others through his written pieces.
Therefore, in the context of the paragraph and the purpose of informing the readers about Thomas Paine's contributions, the word "writer" is the most suitable choice to fill in the blank.
