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Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

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President Abraham Lincoln asserts his concerns about war and the future of America in his “Second Inaugural Address” speech, delivered in eighteen sixty-five to the American people. In his speech, Lincoln admits the unforeseen duration of the Civil War and optimistically states his desires for it to cease. His tone throughout the speech is concerned and straightforward to show that American citizens should have a concern in the matter and make efforts to end the war. Abraham Lincoln’s use of rhetoric is what made this famous speech effective. Lincoln sets his straightforward tone right in the beginning of his speech. In his first sentence, he states, “At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion …show more content…

It was around the time of that speech when the Civil War was just beginning; he is using this allusion to show the long duration of the continuing war, which was already four years in the making. He proceeds to finish this section of the speech, mentioning the start of the Civil War and the opposing sides. His use of passive voice when he says “and the war came” shows his thoughts on the war: he did not want it to happen. In the same closing sentence, Lincoln shows that, by speaking about both parties to blame, he is not focusing on accusations, but instead on exhibiting how this war has impacted the North and South, regardless of the state’s freedom status (Wevodau). Because he does not show any blame directly, it strengthens Lincoln’s message and consistent tone, only focusing on one …show more content…

In this next part of the speech, he admits that the Civil War lasted longer than expected (Lincoln). This supports his tone, as it shows he is not trying to distract from the issue at hand and gets right to the facts. He also brings in parallelism, as he notes, “Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God…” (Lincoln). He uses this to emphasize and tie in the fact that, regardless of North or South, everyone has the same general beliefs in God. He then continues to quote the Bible and asks a rhetorical question that brings the whole situation in a new

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