Gettysburg Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered an iconic speech paying respects to the soldiers who fought the Battle Of Gettysburg. His words oozed with emotions that resonated with people of a nation that have been burned out by the tragedy of war. He conducts a call- to-action for the American citizen to honor those who lost their lives, as they move forward and regain their strength and unity. He uses moves such as diction, allusion, contrast, as well as repetition to articulate his thoughts in a clear effective speech. His credibility can be found in his admiration and respect for these servicemen throughout the speech; Nevertheless the rest of the speech he successfully expresses a series of emotional appeals, ones that pertain to America’s responsibilities.

Draped with his tone, Lincoln’s devices aid him to exude confidence and establishes himself as a respectable individual, this is his ethical appeal.

The way In which Lincoln referred to these soldiers is a clear indication of his support. This is seen in his use of formal diction- "devotion” and "hallow”, which associate them with the work of the soldiers. These words hold connotations of honor, making it known to the audience that their dedication is deserving of respect. His appeal can also be found in his reference to the Declaration Of Independence, “all men are created equal.” Being that the Declaration of Independence is mainly about freedom and equality, it is a reminder of what the soldiers were fighting for. This move is used to inspire the audience, create a sense of motivation. These aspects of his speech are effective on his connection to the nation's people, who are freshly exposed to the extent of this tragedy. Lincoln’s language is a way to gain their trust and move forward under the example of these brave

individuals.

Later begins Lincoln emotional appeal when he creates a contrast with is words as he describes his setting as, "a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live:” In this he places a perspective on the value of the work that was by these men, so not only are they seen as heroic it but also places perspective on their effect on the Community. By doing this Lincoln creates an Atmosphere of responsibility, something the audience feels obligated to act on. In this case, our obligation is to pay respects as well as move forward as a country. Since his audience is people recovering from the weight of tragedy, vulnerability is his target. A heavy phrase such as this is enough to make this concept memorable and motivational. Along with this statement, throughout the speech he repeats the use of ‘we’. This expresses to the audience that we are unified in this situation and together will act on what is needed. Not excluding himself or even only referring to himself, He wants to make things fair and gain their trust. His goal here is to collectively motivate everyone, almost subtly promising to aid build America back up, make freedom a right, and the pursuit of equality our main objective.

Lincoln delivered this speech in the hopes to motivate and inspire the people of our nation. He tapped into the trust of our people by making himself equally responsible for pursuing his purpose. His execution of both ethical and emotional appeals have made his speech predominant in American history. HIs relatability and motivation sparked a call for equality and freedom as a new basis for American values. He does all this while simultaneously, honoring the soldiers who had their lives altered or taken by the Battle Of Gettysburg.