Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Lincoln Rhetorical Analysis

Good Essays
456 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Lincoln Rhetorical Analysis
Lincoln Rhetorical Analysis
To ensure the unification and positive future that Lincoln envisions for the country, he abets everyone to unite and make peace. Lincoln also summarizes the civil war and the negative outcomes that they need to overcome through directness, comparisons, parallelism and tone. Lincoln achieves directness by saying there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first, to introduce his speech. His ability to be direct shows the people it is ostensible that he is serious about the importance of unification after the civil war. Lincoln knows that if people elected him president they’d be willing to listen to anything he says, so if he can be direct to show how serious the situation is, people will listen and his goal of ensured unification can be achieved. In addition, Lincoln creates parallelism between the two sides by saying one party would rather make war than let the nation survive while the other party would accept war rather than let it parish. Lincoln compares the sentiments of the two parties to point out the mistakes both parties made by not being unified thus restressing his main point of the importance of unification and taking another step towards another step towards the future he envisioned. In Lincoln’s envisioned future, the two will not make the same mistakes over again. That is why he stresses unification by creating parallelism. On the flip side, the president mentioned the similarities both parties shared, including references to the bible and God saying that they read the same bible and pray to the same God. It was strategic of Lincoln to make this reference because he intended to create one nation bound by God with unshakeable unity. Lincoln, palpably, cannot overstress his main point that one of many keys to the positive future of the U.S. as an undivided nation is unification. The overall tone of Lincoln’s second inaugural address is a serious one. His attitude towards the situation is serious and Lincoln really wants the country to bounce back from the ear and do it in a unified manner. In one last attempt to achieve his main point, Lincoln mentions that it was God’s will for them to unite because if it weren’t then they’d still be at war. Ultimately, this serves to show that his country is destined for a new bright future, just like he envisioned. Lincoln had a vision for the future of the country. The germane devices he used like directness, comparisons, parallelism and tone all collaborated towards getting Lincolns main point across; this provides a better opportunity to ensure the amalgamation of the people and reaching Lincolns vision of an affluent nation.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Although many remember him as the President who ended slavery and preserved the Union, Abraham Lincoln was also a very gifted political prose writer. Lincoln wrote many powerful and memorable speeches, but arguably his most famous speech is the 272-word “Gettysburg Address,” which he delivered at a dedication ceremony for the first national cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Throughout the entire speech, Lincoln masterfully utilizes several rhetorical techniques, especially the use of repetition. He repeats two separate patterns of grammar in his address. For example, to start his third paragraph Lincoln writes, “But in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground,” and to finish that same paragraph,…

    • 195 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the next couple of paragraphs, Lincoln shifts his views from talking about the war to setting the two opposing sides equal to each other. By using parallel structure…

    • 210 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    During Lincoln's inaugural address he appeals to American patriotism by saying "we" and "our" to unite his fellow people. Lincoln states "Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray" in an attempt to instill a feeling of unity among the American people. He also states that we must finish the work we're in "to bind up the nation's wounds" which yet again, creates a feeling of national pride. Lincoln persuades American citizens…

    • 339 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Second Inaugural Speech did read as I would have expected. In comparison to the “Lyceum Address”, the Second Inaugural speech’s tone was realistic and down to earth. He did not hold back or sugar coat the importance of the Civil War. Lincoln openly admits that the state of the Union rested on the outcome of the war and that while hopeful for the future he hesitates in making any predictions. Further in his speech Lincoln tackled the issue of slavery.…

    • 365 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Throughout "The Gettysburg Adress", Abraham Lincoln utilizes multiple elements of rhetoric and style within his speech to achieve his purpose and communicate with the audience.…

    • 213 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    During Lincoln’s second address, people were shocked about how short and concise his speech was. Instead of addressing slavery, states’ rights, and politics, he offered his view on the future of the nation. In his address, Lincoln used rhetorical strategies such as syntax, diction, and pathos to inform his citizens that he has a better vision for the future of the nation.…

    • 262 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In addition, he appeals to the guilt and obloquy felt about the war by the American people, both north and south. In order to do this, Lincoln calls to action those responsible: everyone, even himself; he wants the southerners to willfully renounce slavery because it is wrong according to the will of God saying: “It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces” and with this, he appeals to the consciences of the former southern slave owners, and to show them that banning slavery was right. (44-47). Furthermore, as stated earlier, he uses his position as president to convince the people to strive for this change, but this might also cause a rift between himself and the southerners. In order to remedy this, he references the bible which both the northerners and…

    • 739 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The United States of America was filled with tension because of numerous events. In the day that Abraham Lincoln became president, Southern states seceded. To make the situation even worse, the Civil War took place to resolve this conflict between the South and the North. President Lincoln was left with the trust to unite the Confederacy and the Union once again. President Lincoln’s duty of preserving the Union was more important to him than to give the slaves freedom because he just wanted to use the African-Americans for military force, political power, and to end the Civil War.…

    • 319 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lincoln includes the different ideas that the North and South have about slavery in hopes to bring them together to one. His sorrows for those who died in the war were heard in his speech, but he did not specifically state whether he was addressing the Confederacy or the Union. Through this vagueness, Lincoln wanted to let the people know that all were included. It did not matter whether it was a Confederate or Union soldier that fell; that person was still one of us- an American. Lincoln continues by juxtaposing the living and the dead as he includes the phrases “new birth” and a “perished” nation in his final statement. These words were meant to remind the people of their liberty, and what is America without liberty? Lincoln called on his fellow Americans to put their differences aside and focus on the main aspects of life in America: freedom and unity. Lincoln’s speech is towards an audience with great grief, so he uses methods of pathos by lifting their spirits up and reminding them of their ultimate goal. The words of this short speech touched the hearts of the audience by bringing out their inner patriotism for their country, which stands as a commonality among all…

    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ethos is shown throughout “The Second Inaugural Address” more than the “The Gettysburg Address”, though both speeches use God as a reference to establish ethos. For example, from “The Gettysburg Address” Abraham Lincoln claimed, “ ...That this nation, under God, shall have new birth of freedom” (748). In other words, Lincoln wanted the audience to trust him so he used religion as a strategy to relate to the audience better since the audience already puts their faith in God’s hands. Another example from,“The Second Inaugural Address”, Lincoln said, “At this second Inaugural appearing to take the oth of presidential office...the progress of our arms… is as well known to the public as to myself ”(748). Abraham Lincoln creates credibility upon himself…

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The world as perceived for our fellow natives is gradually evolving into what America has transformed in actuality.The Gettysburg Address proposed by Abraham Lincoln serves for the sole purpose of conceding and pledging to advance and execute the undertaking the servicemen in The Civil War unfortunately failed to obtain. In order for this to be accomplished, Lincoln conveys his speech with a blend of honor and a powerful utilization of verbage to transmit his primary ambition and both motivate and sway U.S Citizens to go forth and assemble an integrated nation.…

    • 336 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On November 19, 1863 Abraham Lincoln gave a reverent and humbling speech for the soldiers who had given their lives at the battle of Gettysburg for the reform and advancement of the country. He states that the brave men who here gave their last full measure of devotion” should be highly esteemed for the sacrifice they made. Lincoln establishes his ideas through the usage of rhetorical devices such as, an appeal to ethos, parallelism, and juxtaposition.…

    • 282 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the "Second Inaugural Address" (1865), Abraham Lincoln contemplates that they, as a United Nation, should reflect on the effects of the Civil War and move towards a better future for this nation. He addresses God and the issue of slavery in order to encourage the Northern and Southern states towards reconciliation. Lincoln tries to reveal his intention by utilizing figurative diction, parallel syntax, and a shifting tone.…

    • 865 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    He formed bonds with the soldiers and became friends with everyone he met. During the Civil War, many soldiers died and there were many ups and downs. Lincoln established lasting connections with the troops by visiting the battlefield and hospitals, which also helped bolster morale. Lincoln alps spent time talking with members of the public, taking public opinions. He held public receptions and made a point of shaking people's hand and speaking to each individual. Communicating and being humble is important to being a great leader because it demonstrates recognition and respect for others. Nobody likes being around arrogant people. Kearns Goodwin states that Lincoln had a “remarkable ability to communicate his goals to his countrymen.” He made concepts simple and communicated with an understanding of the concerns of the citizens. When Lincoln was reelected he did not focus on his achievements. Rather, in his second inaugural speech, Lincoln focused on bringing the country together. He demonstrated unity as a character trait which reflected on his actions such as the abolition of slavery and uniting the North and South during…

    • 1414 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lincoln was a strong, confident president who remained steadfast in his principles. At a time of crisis he led the nation into an unpopular civil war. He could have gone the easy route, and ignored the Confederate States of America, ergo avoiding conflict. However, he felt that the union was something exceptional, and was worth preserving. Lincoln was less concerned about his own personal life and what people thought of him. He remained strong and he fought for our country and his principles. President Lincoln gave his life and sacrificed the lives of his fellow American so the union would be preserved.…

    • 423 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays