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Rhetorical Devices Used In Lincoln's Last Speech

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On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivers one of his most famous speeches, the “Gettysburg Address.” This speech is given during the dedication of a battleground cemetery to not only commemorate the fallen Union soldiers, but also remind the people what they are actually fighting for—freedom. Being that America is a land divided due to the Civil War, President Lincoln knows that it is up to him to reunite the broken nation. With a little time, Lincoln is able to deliver one of history’s most influential speeches using these three rhetorical features: ethos (the use of character and credibility), pathos (the use of emotional appeal), and logos (the use of reasoning). The first rhetorical feature that can be found in Lincoln’s …show more content…

He states that “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion… (1)” Through this statement, Lincoln inspires the people to finish what their loved ones started and honor their sacrifices. Abraham lets the listeners know, “that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, [. . .] for the people shall not perish from the earth (1).” He gives the audience a confidence and hope of a new future. He exposes the audience to a feeling of obligation and appreciation towards the people who gave up their lives for freedom. Finally, Lincoln uses a logos appeal in his “Gettysburg Address.” His opening statement, “Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal (1),” illustrates the logic behind why these men were fighting. They were struggling to gain liberty and equality in a broken nation. Logically, it only makes sense that if the people before them died for these causes, then continuing to fight is completely justified and noble. All in all, the response to Lincoln’s speech is overwhelmingly successful. By using ethos, pathos, and logos, President Lincoln is able to effectively persuade his audience to continue fighting for the freedom

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