Monday, February 18, 2008

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

After reading Lincoln's "The Gettysburg Address," identify persuasive techniques. Be sure to use textual evidence to support your response.

Please respond to this post by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday February 20, 2008.

25 comments:

CoraD said...

In Lincoln’s “The Gettysburg Address,” Lincoln was very successful with his persuasive techniques. First in the beginning of his address he relates everyone by connecting them with the same fathers, this can create the effect that he is just like them by using our, he speaks of everyone as a whole. Lincoln also starts out with influential words like liberty and equality. Words such as that always grabbed the audience’s attention especial ones who felt so oppressed for so long. Also he uses words like great and dedicate for Gettysburg these words persuade the soldier fighting there and many of their relations to feel worthy so it compliments them. Who doesn’t was to listen to someone who compliments them? He call the soldiers brave never stating union or confederate and also sating the dead and living which was a very smart tactic because it covers all soldiers alike. A very persuasive technique that was equally as successful as any other was the transition between how the soldiers “shall not die in vain,” to there death was a rebirth of freedom and it was for the sake of the government. By connecting the two the people will feel that if the further the advancement of the government the died soldiers will be satisfied, ummmmmmmm its kind of sick but he used the dead soldiers to heighten the effect of his speech.

CoraD said...

In Lincoln’s “The Gettysburg Address,” Lincoln was very successful with his persuasive techniques. First in the beginning of his address he relates everyone by connecting them with the same fathers, this can create the effect that he is just like them by using our, he speaks of everyone as a whole. Lincoln also starts out with influential words like liberty and equality. Words such as that always grabbed the audience’s attention especial ones who felt so oppressed for so long. Also he uses words like great and dedicate for Gettysburg these words persuade the soldier fighting there and many of their relations to feel worthy so it compliments them. Who doesn’t was to listen to someone who compliments them? He call the soldiers brave never stating union or confederate and also sating the dead and living which was a very smart tactic because it covers all soldiers alike. A very persuasive technique that was equally as successful as any other was the transition between how the soldiers “shall not die in vain,” to there death was a rebirth of freedom and it was for the sake of the government. By connecting the two the people will feel that if the further the advancement of the government the died soldiers will be satisfied, ummmmmmmm its kind of sick but he used the dead soldiers to heighten the effect of his speech.

Anonymous said...

In Abraham Linconl's "Gettysburg Address" he uses persuasive tactics to influence his intended audience. First he says "all men are created equal" to let everyone know that there is no judgement or difference between the people he was talking to. Also he says things like "we are engaged in a civil war" and "a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live" to appeal to the listener/reader's emotions because the war and those who died fighting it were significant parts of people's lives in the 1860's. Also, Lincoln says "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain" which persuades the listeners that they should have the same devotion for their country as the soldiers did who died fighting for their country in the Battle at Gettysburg.
-Alese K.

Anonymous said...

The Gettysburg Address is extremely effective, and managed to presuade a disheartened Union to fight for a moral cause. Lincoln first references the founding of America, a nation "concieved in liberty". This is very significant. It alludes to the Revolutionary War. We entered the conflict as undergogs, with moral fiber providing our only strenght. Our cause kept us going. Lincoln is encouraging the Union to call upon this same strength.
With the ideals of liberty and justice illuminated, the Address continues to press the importance of the war's moral cause. He claims that "we canot deedicate"; the soldiers have honored the ground far beyond his power. He places the fallen on a pedestol. The boys in blue gave their lives, and we must honor their sacrifice. Lincoln says, "...We take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last measure of devotion". The North must carry on the mission. They had to honor the dead by seeing that the ideals of unity and freedom were upheld. This was a direct call to action, and an striking appeal to pathos. As Cora and Alese affirmed, The Gettysburg Address is the epitome of presuasive magic.

CarlyM said...

Throughout The Gettysburg Address, Lincoln uses persuasive techniques such as pathos (guilt) to "address" the issue of the nation splitting and fighting. The line "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract" allows the audience to come to the realization that the nation is in dire need of strength, support, and maturity. Brave men are fighting and being faced with death, so this could be a persuasive technique for the people to either fight, or establish justice. In the opening paragrah Lincoln states that the creation of The United States was based upon liberty and equality. By first stating these two major values of being "American", Lincoln seems to be pointing out that during hard times like the separation of the country, these values could be put on the line. This encourages the people to listen up, become aware, and take action. He wants the nation to stay as a whole and convinces the people that the country can be turned around and rebirthed. Like I've mentioned before, Lincoln wanted to keep The United States a whole and do anything in his power to prevent the southern states from seceeding. If the system of government based on the principles of the Enlightenment (democracy) was a failed one, it would be proof that power should not be held in the hands of the people - therefore resulting in reverting back to a system of monarchy where the people would lack a voice in the government. Funny how a few paragraphs said by Abraham Lincoln may have changed the way in which we run our nation today.

colleenf said...

I must agree that Lincoln used persuasive techniques to excellent advantage in the Gettysburg Address. I definitely agree with Alese that mentioning the “great civil war” and “final resting place” would pull people’s heartstrings because of how much the war had impacted civilians. I never really thought about it, but Cora also has a good point when she notes that Lincoln doesn’t talk about Union or Confederate soldiers-just “the brave men, living or dead.” This definitely helps establish unity, which makes the ultimate end of the war seem more possible. Lincoln uses the image of all the dead to encourage the living to reunite the country so the “honored dead shall not have died in vain.” In addition, this language and diction such as “hallow” and “consecrate” give Lincoln a religious tone and makes it seem like he has God on his side.
Also, starting off by mentioning the founding of the nation (“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth…”) evokes the patriotism of the audience and makes them more supportive of protecting the nation. He appeals to the pathos of patriotism repeatedly, especially in the conclusion. The last sentence, which ends with “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Conveniently, Lincoln manages to change the purpose of the war (from simply preserving the Union to freeing the slaves) and paints it in a positive light by lumping it together with the idea of defending democracy.
As you can see, Lincoln is incredibly effective in using persuasive techniques in the Gettysburg Address. He establishes ethos through religious references and appeals to the pathos of people’s losses and their enduring patriotism to push his new idea that the war is being fought to free the slaves.

Anonymous said...

Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" is very pursuasive. One of the strategies he used was by connecting to the audience when he said "we" instead of an alternative like simply referring to the United States. An example of this was when Lincoln said, "Now we are engaged in a civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure" basically saying that this war will push the US to the limits and discover if it is worthy of being a strong nation or not. Also, Lincoln mentions how the great soldiers before them have died for their country. This might have persuaded the audience to join the war as well, since Lincoln almost made it sound like it was their duty as an American when he said, "It is not for the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the great task remaining before us...and that government of the people, by the people, shall not perish from the earth." I think Lincoln's speech was effective in a persuasive sense.

RyanS said...

Throughout Lincoln's "The Gettysburg Address" speech there are several persuasive techniques you can see. Lincoln starts off his speech by letting everyone know that they are equal when he says "that all men are created equal". He also talks about how the living need to give their full devotion to the war, so that there deaths are not in vain. You can see this in his statement, "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." He talks about he doesn't want the nation to perish, that he wants neither side to perish but become one again. When he says " and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from earth," he is talking about the entire nation, not just the north.

Anonymous said...

Cora pointed out an important part in Lincoln's personal appeal to the audience. He said "our fathers" to appeal to ethos, or emotion, like Cora said, by being like the rest. In his whopping 267 words, Lincoln managed to captivate his audience to trust in not only his credibility (being the president of the US), but his logic that "it is altogether proper" that he make Gettysburg a memorial area, and his appeal to the emotions of audience, by using strong words such as "dead.... devotion....new birth of freedom". In these ways of ethos, pathos, and logos, this is how Lincoln used persuasive techniques.

Anonymous said...

In Lincoln's "Gettysburg Adress," he uses great persuasive techniques. In the last, and final, paragraph he goes on to say things about we. "We can not consecrate-we can not hallow- this ground." He decides that. No where does it says that we definately cannot do this. This is strictly his opinion written as a fact.
Whenever people take their opinions and write or say them as facts then they have a larger effect. "It is for us living, rather, to be dedicated here 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- that we highly resolve that these dead shall niot have died in vain- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom- and that government of the people, by the poeple, for the people, shall not perish from the earth," In this whole section, Lincoln is trying to persuade the people. In the first part of that quote he is saying that it is for the living people. Which may be true to some people but others may not agree so he is stating it like this so that the people can agree with him. That is how Lincoln uses persuasive techniques in "The Gettysburg Address."

Anonymous said...

Licoln used many persuasive techniques in the "Gettysburg Address." He begins by using the term "our fathers" which relates Lincoln to the audience, trying to show that their families built the foundation for the country. He also uses, "all mean are created equal", which is also used in the Declaration of Independence. He uses a famous phrase that alot of Americans would recognize. Also, it sends emotion through the listener because he uses the the terms equal and liberty. In the next paragraph, he uses the term we as a term of togetherness. This makes the reader feel included in the speech.Lincoln also uses the technique of sympathy of the soldiers. He says, "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain" and "as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that the nation might live." These comments spur emotion in the reader and also makes the reader want to join the cause. Lincoln uses "under God" as a relatable term. One that is used in the Pledge of Allegiance. Also, many people were religious so this also helped them understand. Finally, he uses another farmilar term, "and that government of the people, by the people, for the people." This also spurs emotion in the people to take action. He uses words of freedom to do this.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if I can write this here so don't publish it. That last post at 5:37 was mine. I forgot to put in the name. Sorry!

Anonymous said...

In Lincoln's " Gettysburg Address" , He Used Several Persuasive techniques. First off in the Beginning of his he says "Our Fathers" not the fathers. So he is connecting everyone with the past. So he is Making a Personal Connection with his audience. Next off he Uses a Diction Very well. He uses word like Brave, equality, and power. These words help infulence his speech. I will Agree with Alese That vy lincoln saying "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain"
would persuade the listeners should have the same devotion for there country.

Anonymous said...

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is one of the most important and moving speeches in American history. In this short speech, Lincoln was able to change the purpose of the Civil War from preserving the Union to defending freedom and equality. An important aspect that accomplished this was Lincoln's word choice. He used words such as "hallow", "honored", "devotion", "freedom", and "in vain" to strengthen his emotional appeal and evoke pride and honor into those who listened. Lincoln did not mention any aspect of North vs. South, but he spoke of the nation as a whole and what it was founded on. He also honored the many men that died at Gettysburg. Saying "we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain" was a very effective strategy that almost worked as a guilt trip. Overall, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is an emotionally powerful and persuasive speech that payed tribute to and honored the men that fought and died in the battle and also changed many people's perspective of the war itself.

Anonymous said...

One of the most remembered and recited lines in the history of the United States starts off this passage. Lincoln says, "Four Score and Seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation." Lincoln uses this early in his speech to create unity and equality among his listeners so that maybe they will forget about their feelings for one another and listen to his words. Another important part of his speech is the fact that he talks to one nation. He never tags any soldiers as Union or Confederates and Lincoln talks to any specific group. Although he was wrong when he said, "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here," he accomplished his purpose of showing his audience that they were fighting for something bigger. This war was not about individual opinions or attitudes about other people. He wanted everyone to know that the war was important for so many African Americans that we could not let emotions and death get in the way of helping fellow Americans. He also uses the death around him to cast an image when he says, "that these dead shall not die in vain." By saying this he shows his support for the fallen soldiers and families involved and once again that helps to create a very humble and respectful image. Overall this is one of the most historically remembered peaces in American History.

kelsiea said...

In the "Gettysburg Address," lincoln had very good persuasive techniques. In the begining of the address he connects everyone with the same fathers. Everyone is a whole. He lets everyone know that there is no difference between themselves and another by saying that,"all men are created equal." He talks about the war to appeal to peoples emotions using pathos. He also says that each person should have devotion that the soldiers did for their country by stating the dead shouldnt die in vain. This could also be a form of pathos. This is the "Gettysburg Adress."

kelsiea said...

In the "Gettysburg Address," lincoln had very good persuasive techniques. In the begining of the address he connects everyone with the same fathers. Everyone is a whole. He lets everyone know that there is no difference between themselves and another by saying that,"all men are created equal." He talks about the war to appeal to peoples emotions using pathos. He also says that each person should have devotion that the soldiers did for their country by stating the dead shouldnt die in vain. This could also be a form of pathos. This is the "Gettysburg Adress."

Anonymous said...

"The Gettysburg Address" is very short and to the point, but Abraham Lincoln uses several persuasive strategies to get his ideas across. As corad stated, in the begining of the address Lincoln says words like equality, making everyone feel equal. He also talked about the final resting places of the soldiers and how this war severely affected our country. This was a great use of pathos on Lincoln's part to make the audience feel a sense of sadness. Overall, Lincoln does a wonderful job of connecting with his audience.

Anonymous said...

Lincoln was very persuasive when he wrote the Gettysburgh Addres. His persuasion techniques start right off the bat when he says "our fathers" and uses the word "we". By using these words, Lincoln gives the audiance the feeling that they are all connected and that they all want the same thing. By using strong, bold words (such as "liberty") he is able to not only get the audiance's attention (like Cora said) but words like that are inspiring. Then there is the last line: "and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth". By ending with a statement like this, Lincoln really convinces the audiance that they are the ones who really hold all of the power.

Anonymous said...

Lincoln’s persuasive techniques in the Gettysburg address are about sustaining freedom. He addresses everyone in the speech. North and South. He wants them to remember how their freedom was obtained. And if the struggles become very strained the nation will far apart. He focuses in on the emotions of the Americans at the time. He does this by explaining the meaning, symbolic and psychical, of the battle of Gettysburg. The Civil war would seem trivial to the Americans and they themselves would most in likely feel selfish. Lincoln wants to break down the differences between the North and the South. He wants them to realize that they became free together. And only together can the Union survive. “The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.” “…that we highly resolve that these men have no died in vain.” Both of these quotes are great examples of Lincoln appealing to the Pathos of the American people.

Anonymous said...

The persuasive techinques used in Lincoln's "The Gettysburgh Address" were successful in effecting his audience. Lincoln's usage of these techinques were quite adequate for the situation. For instance, he begins by ensuring that everyone is on the same page. By that I mean, that he states things such as "all men are created euqal". He also speaks to the audience as peers, instead of talking down to them. An example of this is using "our". As both Cora and Alese said, he also used the reference of the soldiers to his advantage...

Anonymous said...

Lincoln's techniques were very successful in getting his main point across-the we must remember what the soldiers fought and died for during the Civil War. He starts out by putting the war in the context of a challenge "testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure". By putting it in such a context, Lincoln was able to change many views on the war. He then moves on telling the audience something real (that part of the field will be made into a graveyard and a memorial) and then something abstract (how "we can not consecrate-we can not hallow-this ground"). With this, he makes it seem that this ground higher than any of us. The whole concept of the battle was spiritual and sacred.

Anonymous said...

Lincoln was very successful in his Gettysburg Address when it comes to his persuasive techniques. It is very important to use assertive language when trying to persuade someone of your position, and Lincoln does this very well. An example of this is in the second paragraph when he states, "It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this". Also, in the third paragraph, he demonstrates assertiveness and sureness when he repeatedly says what we should and should not do, not what we maybe could or could not do. Also, as corad said, Lincoln complements the audience. Anyone who compliments me is automatically respectable and I would listen to what they have to say.


-- Kacey A

Anonymous said...

In the beginning of Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" he notifies his audience, "Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, concieved in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." The words "our fathers" and "all men" represent the unity and equality this country should possess. However, the United States did not contain these qualities. Disagreements between the North and South led to "a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure" meaning the war can only last for so long until the nation is ruined and conquered by another foreign power. Displaying the negativities and insignificance of the war, Lincoln persuades others to save the nation and live in peace. His statement, "...shall have a new birth of freedom..." refers to both the slaves and the entire country. Lincoln is looking for freedom in the country as a whole, in order to make it stronger and in unison. Through-out the entire address, words such as "we" and "us" are used to appeal to everyone in both the North and South. Lincoln's diction in the "Gettysburg Address" persuades his audience to make a new and better society.

Anonymous said...

Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” was very persuasive. He unifies the country by using words such as “we” and “our fathers”. He tries to point out that they are all connected, no matter which side of the war they are on. He also remembers the lives lost by saying, “that these dead shall not die in vain”. With this he shows sympathy and also shows that they will get through this war as one whole nation, not as two separate nations. Lincoln also uses the well-recognized phrase, “and that government of the people, by the people, for the people”. This showed the people that the government was in their hands and they held the power.