Clarification of the rhetorical situation

Clarification of the rhetorical situation

Fifth President Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech at the dedication ceremony at the Gettysburg National Cemetery on 19 Nov. 1863. Gettysburg National Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA, July 1-3, 1863, during the Civil War. The purpose of Lincoln’s speech was not only to commemorate the soldiers who died in the battle of the Union but also to remind the crowd that they were there, fighting for national freedom and equality. He wanted to encourage the United States to continue to fight for these rights, so he managed to convince the audience with the help of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.

Rhetorical appeals in the speech

A compelling and convincing argument should include rhetoric techniques of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. Ethos is the author’s authenticity or experience on the subject. Logos are the logic that authors use to substantiate statements about the subject. There are emotions that viewers experience from sorrows, i.e., what the author presents to them. All three rhetorical units can be found in Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech, “The Gettysburg Address,” Many consider it one of the greatest rhetorical works in American history.

At the beginning of his speech, he used the logo: “four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedication to the proposition that all men are created equal” (Lincoln). He said that their father had created a tremendous united state torn by civil war, and assured the audience that they remember the value of the state and that they are fighting for restoration and support. “We are currently involved in the Great Civil War to see if this country or such a thinking and loyal country can exist for a long time,” Lincoln said. Lincoln asks the audience why and sets out the beliefs that many usually have.

Lincoln’s ethos was already established before this speech. Since he is the fifth president of the United States, the audience already knows the basics of his character, but his spirit allows him to meet him in honor of the entire audience. You. For him to achieve his primary goal – to promote patience among the people, he must establish himself as respectable and fair concerning the audience. When Lincoln says: “It’s very lively for us to devote ourselves to the unfinished work in which they did a great job,” and to his work of reuniting the coalition. Demonstration of dedication. In his speech, he uses the common word “we” several times instead of “me.” This allows the audience to perceive Lincoln as himself, reduce the distance between them, and arouse convincing feelings between Lincoln and them..

Lincoln focuses on the masses above a person, with the help of words used to use emotions in speeches to evoke audience emotions effectively. This is the most significant rhetorical device used by Lincoln at Gettysburg addresses. Many of the attendees were soldier families who died in battles that took place just a few months ago. Lincoln was able to evoke the audience that they fought and the desire to fight for the same reasons they fought. The brave people who struggled here, whether alive or dead, sanctified it. The world is almost unnoticed and will not remember what we said here, but will never forget what they did here (Lincoln). Besides, he evoked these feelings by telling the audience why continuing the struggle is essential. A nation for the people must not perish from the earth “(Lincoln).

Format analysis of the text

He uses similes where he says. { from the speech, “no, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream” (Lincoln) This allows the audience to fight for justice. He also used metaphor through the statement “with this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood” (Lincoln) this provides viewers with ideas of the future.

Conclusion

With just 271 words in just three minutes, Abraham Lincoln created a rhetorical situation, which is still considered one of the most compelling speeches today. His appeal not only perpetuated the memory of soldiers who fell to Gettysburg but also changed the meaning of the civil war. His convincing use of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos not only shook what he said to those who attended that day, but also struggled for freedom and equality for everyone in the country but ensured that the fighting spirit continued in the Americas. Simple, but at the same time, Lincoln’s apt “Gettysburg Address” has sparked those who have heard it over 150 years later, the same desire to fight for freedom and equality in the great country.

Works Cited

Lincoln, Abraham. “Gettysburg Address.” Britannica Academic, Encyclopædia Britannica, 15 Jul. 2016. academic.eb.com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/levels/collegiate/article/36638. Accessed 11 Dec. 2016.