Gettysburg Address Rhetorical Analysis

The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history. The History Place indicates that on November 19, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln went to a battle field positioned in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where three dreadful days of battle occurred called the Battle of Gettysburg. While he was attending the battle field to dedicate it as a national cemetery, he read his speech to the public. After the main orator, Edward Everett of Massachusetts, delivered his speech that lasted about two hours, it was Lincoln’s turn. Everyone was shocked that it only lasted a little over two minutes. The speech talked about the men who fought in the Civil War to help create the nation people have today: that it is only fair to honor them

That was the reason for the visit to Gettysburg. It was a trip with Edward Everett to dedicate a newly created cemetery that was must needed in the country at the time due to all the fallen during the war. President Lincoln followed Mr. Everett’s two hour speech with his two minute speech which was decided in nature to sum up what Mr. Everett just talked about. A key thing to remember in the Gettysburg address was the importance not to forget about the fallen young Soldier’s on the battle field. This is mentioned in the in the second sentence of the second paragraph “ We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live”. What the President is talking about is the importance of not just remembering the fallen but also reminding the audience of why they died. They died believing in a cause; weather it’s about uniting the country or making two separate

In the last paragraph of the speech, President Lincoln is telling the American people that the proper way to honor the brave soldiers is to dedicate and devote your life to the country, one which there will be, “a new birth of freedom.” Lincoln points out this government will represent all the people, and will remain forever. President Lincoln, through this speech is trying heal the nation that is divided by the great Civil War, and offering

In his speech, President Lincoln utilizes pathos when speaking of the demise of all those soldiers and people, in order to induce our emotions. Reminding us of those ideals on which our country was founded, that all men are created equal despite the color of their skin. He demonstrates the use of logos when he mentions that all it would be a waste of lives and resources if they dismiss the main reason for their sacrifice. They gave their lives in order to provide our freedom, and that should never be taken for granted.

It was full of the history about the nation, the civil war, and a recap of the three day battle. The real purpose of this speech was to dedicate a cemetery to the fallen soldiers (“Wise Words” 1). Lincoln had said during his two minute speech was that the best way for the living to honor the dead was to continue with the cause (Wise Words 1). What lincoln had meant by a new birth of freedom was that the nation would be free for both blacks and whites. This government cannot endure a permanently half free and half slave population (Barney, Brett, and Lisa Paddock 1). With this being said, the speech gave universal satisfaction to the

"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that" (Gettysburg Address, paragraph 3). When Lincoln was presenting his speech, he was at Gettysburg, standing on the ground where thousands of people had died not long before. While presenting his speech, he gives you this image and can show you the destruction that was caused right in front of you. Him standing there symbolized the importance of honoring those men. Additionally, Lincoln stated this, "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract" (Gettysburg Address, paragraph 3). Where they are standing men have struggled; even more so have died, and when he says this these people would develop an image of the battle, where they are standing men of the same country; created the same had fought and killed one another. Lincoln showed people that they were all the same, the men were to be honored the

Another rhetorical device that Lincoln uses in his speech at Gettysburg is pathos, which he uses to captivate the emotions of the audience. A specific example of this occurs when Lincoln says, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here,” (Lincoln). When Lincoln says this, he wants America to know that the courageous men who fought to gain equal rights for every American citizen will not be forgotten or disregarded. Lincoln also uses pathos by including all of the nation when he says, “We are met on a great battle-field of that war,” (Lincoln). His use of the word “we” creates a sense of inclusion

Lincoln started off his address by talking about the past. He brings up the founding fathers and how they created this nation. The founding fathers had conceived in liberty and the proposition that all men are created equal, as it saids on lines two through three. Then after talking about the past, he talks about the present. That the Union is in a civil war and that the nation must stick together. He continues by saying “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives so that that nation might live” stated in the

The Gettysburg address is a very intriguing speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln. This speech touched bases on the many lives that have been lost during the civil war. This speech gained attention because it considered the impact that was made in the country’s history. Abraham did not want to forget the lives that were lost, but indeed give a dedication to the fallen soldiers. “It is for us the living, rather to be dedicated to the unfinished work which who they fought here have thus far so nobly advanced”.

Throughout President Lincoln’s speech, he carries himself to be a persuasive speaker. He leads us to the concept that all men are created equal. He refers to the constitution and delivers the thought that a win for union is necessary to prevail a democracy. Lincoln has the encouragement to push through to continue fighting. He leads us to know that these deaths will not be in

His speech was short but mighty in words. It was to the point of what he believed should be done to honor the great men who fought and gave their life in the war. “Lincoln’s main goal that day was to dedicate the battlefield to the men who died there and to tell the nation why the Civil War was worth fighting” (Norton, 1996).

The occasion for this speech authored by President Lincoln known as the Gettysburg Address, was a long and bloody American Civil War where southern states has sought succession from the United States of America. Engaging over 157,000 men in one of the largest battles of the American Civil War, with over a 32% causality rate over 50,000 men. Although, the Union forces won this battle providing a turning point in their favor the violence and tragedy

In “The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln, the opening of the speech reminds listeners about the country's birth 87 years earlier. His words point out that the Civil War was testing whether the United States' foundations of liberty and equality were strong enough to survive. He gave his speech at the Soldier’s National Cemetery in dedication for Union soldiers killed at the Battle Of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Lincoln honored the Union dead and reminded the people the purpose of the soldiers sacrifice: equality, freedom and national unity.

The first chapter, “Oratory of the Greek Revival,” and the final three chapters, “The Transcendental Declaration,” “Revolution in Thought,” and “Revolution in Style” are focused more on the actual content of the Gettysburg Address. The Address itself had several Ancient Greek elements to it as Wills mentions in Chapter One. Wills even compiles a listing of the techniques used by Lincoln in the second half of the chapter. One of the most noticeable Greek oration techniques employed by Lincoln was the presentation of polarities. In particular, he repeatedly contrasts life with death throughout his speech. Wills elaborates saying, “[t]he

In 1863, the sixteenth President of the United States found himself engulfed by a horrific civil war and in leading his people to victory, Abraham Lincoln found himself in a predicament that required a well thought out motivational presentation. He found that opportunity with the address at Gettysburg. President Lincoln knew his people were dissatisfied with the loss of so many comrades and knew there must be a way he could prove that the lives of so many fallen soldiers, husbands, and sons were worth the efforts to restore the land of the free. The statement made in the Gettysburg Address to the people was a perfect example and in essence the embodiment of perfect communication.