Rhetorical Analysis On Lincoln Gettysburg Address Extra Credit 112

Jabari Stafford

English 112

Professor Brandon

02/21/13

Rhetorical Analysis: Gettysburg Address

            These words of wisdom from Abraham Lincoln changed the world in many beneficial ways. He gave the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. During this time Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States. This speech went down in history and is currently one of the most powerful words ever given. The main reason this is such an influential speech is because it brought our nation back together as one. There are also a few other reasons around this main one. First of all, it talked about the past, the present, and the future. It talked about the past simply by the first line in the address. “Four score and seven years ago…” This means eighty-seven years ago, which refers to the past. Our forefathers such as the explorers, the monarchs, and many other heroic figures were given much credit in his miniature speech. He spoke about the present by mentioning the Civil War. The Civil War was a war fought between the north and south of the nation. Better known as the “Union and the Confederation.” This gave the nation a question about themselves. The question being, “Is America built to have success with one another and long endure as a nation?” The future was also spoken about in his speech mainly in the last line where he said”…that this nation, under God, shall have new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish form the earth. This choice of words recognized our future freedom and what is to come. I think by Abraham Lincoln giving this small, but powerful speech, altered the nation in a prominent manner. It changed people’s thought process about the nation’s prosperity. If Lincoln did not share this speech, the United States of America will possibly be completely different from what it is on this very day. Abe Lincoln used many rhetorical appeals in his speech. First of all, pathos is used by Lincoln holding up heroic figures. By paying respect to the heroic figures he also used epodaih. Secondly, logos, was used when he spoke about the forefathers, and ancestors of the nation and what they did in the past. Word choice was used to strengthen the speech also. He utilized the words “four score and seven years ago” rather than simply saying eighty seven years ago. He also used “we” instead of “I” to ensure he included the people. The other example with his good choice of words is in the last few words of the speech. “…that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we were highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…” All of this speech had a great effect on his audience. The angry audience sympathized when Lincoln brings forth the idea to the people that there is still a challenge ahead. So the people have put in their minds that the nation should prosper in honor of their loved-ones, fallen comrades and others who died. This was an overall successful speech to help the United States of America to become a better place. Thanks to Lincoln and many other historical figures we can look forward to the American dream.