Rhetorical Analysis of The Gettysburg Address Essay

Four and a half months after the Union defeated the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. He gave the Union soldiers a new perspective on the war and something to fight for. Before the address, the Civil War was based solely on states’ rights. Lincoln’s speech has the essence of America and the ideals that were put into the Declaration of Independence by the founders. The sixteenth president of the United States was capable of using his speech to turn a war on states rights to a war on slavery and upholding the principles that America was founded upon. By turning the Civil War into a war that was about slavery he was able to ensure that no foreign†¦show more content†¦Lincoln suggests that the two thoroughly different ideas of the North and South to become one once again, as he also juxtaposes life and death in the same speech, almost as to compare the ideals of the North and South to th e ideas of life and death. Lincoln matched his uniting tone with his juxtaposed exemplars. Lincoln compassion for the Civil War is shown as he mourns the loss of many fellow Americans, not differentiating between Union and Confederate soldiers. He creates juxtaposition in his final statement of a â€Å"new birth† and the obstruction of a â€Å"perished† nation. His patriotic address charms his audience into action. The usage of juxtaposition allows Lincoln to transfer the zeal in his speech into action by uniting the people of America. Repetition is the final key rhetorical device in the address. Two examples of repetition are in the opening statement of the Gettysburg Address which set the repetitious nature of the whole speech. Common expression, such as â€Å"we,† â€Å"our,† and â€Å"us,† is used to tie the entire address together, but this set of repletion is outweighed by the other. The word â€Å"dedicated† has been used in the speec h to not only tie the entire speech together but to also appeal to pathos, an emotional appeal. The words â€Å"I† and â€Å"you† are absent from the speech, instead Lincoln uses words such as â€Å"we,† â€Å"our,† and â€Å"us,† to include the people of the Union and the Confederacy to unite both parties as a whole under the oneShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of The Gettysburg Address876 Words   |  4 Pagesabiola bonny Professor terry ulet July 29, 2017 SPC1017 In the Gettysburg address one part of this inspirational speech moved me. Abraham Lincoln states â€Å"We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.† My relationship with this particular part in this speech is Lincoln turnsRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of The Gettysburg Address By Abraham Lincoln813 Words   |  4 PagesKatrina Ta Giang 22 December 2017 AP Language and Composition(7) Mrs. Faumuina Speech Analysis Essay: The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln â€Å"The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War†(History). It was a battle in Gettysburg Pennsylvania, consisting of the Union Army and the Confederate Army. The main purpose behind this battle was due to â€Å"Robert E. Lees plan to invade the North and force an immediateRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln s Gettysburg Address1564 Words   |  7 PagesA rhetorical analysis explores nonfictional works and determine if the techniques used make the piece effective (Texas AM University). The Gettysburg Address is one of the most notorious speeches. A rhetorical analysis of this legendary speech would reveal the key components that made it so prominent. The evaluation of the genre, and rhetorical devices, ethos, pathos, and logos, in the speech show how the piece was effective. Abraham Lincoln is one of the most renowned presidents in history. DuringRead MoreGettysburg Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay examples889 Words   |  4 PagesFour and a half months after the Union defeated the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. He gave the Union soldiers a new perspective on the war and a reason to fight in the Civil War. Before the address, the Civil War was based on states’ rights. Lincoln’s speech has the essence of America and the ideals that were instilled in the Declaration of Independence by the Founders. The sixteenth president of the United States wasRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln s Gettysburg Address 1669 Words   |  7 PagesQUESTION 1 Abraham Lincoln speech given at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863 was described by Senator Charles Sumner, in 1865, stating â€Å"the battle itself was less important than the speech.† Explain. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was not given the spotlight at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery on November 19, 1863, and was instead invited to give a few remarks. In fact Edward Everett’s speech would have been the official ‘Gettysburg Address’ was it not for its two hours in length andRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln s Gettysburg Address981 Words   |  4 Pageswhich Abraham Lincoln started â€Å"The Gettysburg Address†.152 years ago, Lincoln delivered this well-known speech in front of an audience who was searching for help during a time of war. Some may believe it was not an inspiration why others will say it was. To some Americans, it might have even brought faith. Just like any other work, this essay was composed of a rhetorical situation and rhetorical devices; which can be broken down into specific factors. The rhetorical situation and devices play an importantRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln s Speech939 Words   |  4 Pagesfor generations. By further analysis, I have found a few tricks that give this piece its’ powerful punch. 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