PUBLIC RHETORIC: SPEECH
ANALYSIS
The Gettysburg Address
SPEPTEMBER 29, 2014
CHRISTIAN HINKLE
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Christian Hinkle
September 29, 2014
Communications
Judith Dutill
Speech Analysis: Gettysburg Address
This speech has left a resilient impression on our country and our people exclusively
when it was vocalized. The powerful words are relayed in a striking technique by one of the
grandest patriots of our country, Abraham Lincoln our 16th president. This honorable man was
at the head of the Civil war in 1861 to 1865 until his unexpected assassination in April of 1865.
This speech was given on November 19, 1863 in the middle of the Civil War 4 months after the
brutal battle of Gettysburg. It was given during, you guessed it at a dedication of the soldiers
taking place at the National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The Gettysburg Address was one of the most powerful speeches given during the Civil
War. It was trying to abolish slavery and explain that the losses werent pointless; that it was
worth it. One strong part that persuades the reader or listener is It is altogether fitting and
proper that we should do this. After Abe illuminates the war and the importance of the war he
put this following it. This exert is supposed to explain we need to do this because these men
already died and fought for this freedom its only proper to keep fighting and try to win. Logos
played a part in this speech when Abe mentioned all men are equal this was to raise
awareness and define the goal of his speech meaning we are all equal and they died to make
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this country equal in the face of color. Ethos role plays largely in this speech despite the
shortness of it. First off the language he used Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers
brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated He used
educated and very bold words to create a powerful start to the speech and to show he is
intelligent. This greatly sparks the peoples minds into thinking we must follow him if he is
sophisticated and knows what he is talking about. The largest part of a speech that makes a
large connection to the audience is was his use of Pathos to create an emotional bong with the
people. His use of our fathers and we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot
hollow this ground the great task remaining before us. His use of our and we really
creates a bond with the audience because it is showing he is stepping into the boots of a
soldiers and his family.
This speech was an important in our history for many reasons. The account that Abe
went to the dedication to the fallen to say we need to keep fighting for our beliefs is a powerful
message. He wanted us to win the freedom to all people no matter the color of your skin.
Humanity is deserved to everyone he thought and his confidence of winning really pushed the
people to win the war. With him showing up there showed the importance of every soldier that
has lost their lives fighting for their and his noble clause. He wanted the audience to still believe
in the war and the meaning behind it despite the fallen fighters.
I really do believe that this speech should be remembered. I take this speech as kind of a
pep talk. In so many words he is saying we are doing something great, and no matter the
problems we are facing if we still fight and try we will succeed. I believe it is a striking and grand
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message to remember. Many people need to think like this, never give up and keep fighting for
what you believe in no matter what happens.
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Work Cited
Michael E. Edenmuller. (2001). American Rhetoric. Online Speech Bank. Retrieved From
[Link]