Gettysburg Address

Argument:

WATCO- What is the purpose of remembering the dead at Gettysburg on the future of the American nation?

Claim- We must remember what the dead did for us at Gettysburg if we are to preserve the American nation.

Reason- Because by remembering what the dead did for us, we will be motivated to continue to fight for the cause that they started.

Assumption- Whatever causes us to continue to fight for our nation will also lead to a preservation of our nation.

Audience: The immediate people at the address; also all the people of the nation including Union and Conferderate supporters. But I feel as if Lincoln wanted to speak and give a call to action directly to all those not on his side of creating a "house undivided."

Goal: To arouse the citizens of the nation to work together on creating a democratic government that will ensure the everlasting freedom of all people of America.

How?-

Pathos- For a short address with only 3 paragraphs, Lincoln sure knows how to pack a punch. Lincoln uses the dead soldiers as standard bearers for freedom with such lines as, "The brave men...have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract," or "The world will little note...what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." This second line is my favorite from the speech. I think it draws very strongly on each individuals emotions, to know that their fellow brethren sacrificed their lives just so that they could have the liberty to live in a free nation.

Logos- I like the logic used in the first stanza as Lincoln reminds his people that 87 years ago, this nation was created independent of its former rulers so that all men could enjoy equal rights. But somehow between then and now, the nation had forgotten this principle. By starting his speech this way, he focuses his speech on his goal of trying to reestablish America as the beacon of freedom and a people's government.

Relevance- The location, as well as when the speech was given, gave it great relevance to the issue at hand. Gettysburg was the site of the greatest battle and also the turning point of the civil war, where many men lost their lives.

Effective?- In one of the greatest speeches ever written, Lincoln does a superb job of reinvigorating the people through a concise, and clear speech.