During the throes of the Civil War, on November 19th 1863, President Abraham Lincoln had to find a way to unite the quarreling states after the bloody Battle of Gettysburg.
With only using ten sentences and just over two minutes, President Lincoln was able to sum up the ideals that would go on to shape America. His speech not only moved the thousands of people who had gathered for the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, but also many people across the globe by speaking about American independence and freedom.
Lincoln's speech has two purposes. The first was to dedicate a plot of land that would become the Soldier's National Cemetery to honor the fallen soldiers. Also, since the Civil War still raged, President Lincoln realized that he also had to inspire the people to continue to fight. I think he is able to accomplish his purpose when he eloquently said, "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated can long endure." The importance of winning this war takes on an even greater significance. Lincoln's audience is the American people after the terrible Battle of Gettysburg.
A rhetorical device effectively used in this speech is contrast. Lincoln says, "those who here gave their lives that this nation might live." This major contrast between life and
death is most compelling.
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