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What Are The Rhetorical Devices In The Gettysburg Address

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Soon after Lincoln took office as the 16th president of the United States, the country became involved in a great Civil War,Two years later the war was still raging, bringing death and destruction across our country, tearing the country apart, pitting neighbor against neighbor, and sometimes brother against brother. On November 19, 1863, President Lincoln, at the dedication of a battlefield, gave his speech known as the Gettysburg Address, using rhetorical devices and resources of language to create unity in the country and hopefully bring an end to the Civil War. One of many rhetorical devices Lincoln uses is repetition. The most common word the is the most obvious is the word “we.” Lincoln Repeats “we” to show not only to his audience at the time but for others to hear about the famous speech later in time that as people of the United States, we are one. Also that our country was enduring some great trauma at the time and that we as US citizens need to stick together so we can survive this great Civil …show more content…

Lincoln states “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that the nation might live.” The paradox being the death of the soldiers and life of the nation. These soldiers have put their lives at stake for our country, fighting in one of the most memorable Wars ever known so that their country, the United States could successed. another device used was an oxymoron. Lincoln said that the soldiers who have died or are still fighting have dedicated much more than our poor power could have. Poor meaning a low or inferior standard and power meaning to be able to do something in a particular way especially as a quality. The two words are polar opposites hence, the oxymoron. Lincoln uses this terminology because during this time we are weak. Many of our people have died and we are running out of options to make it out of this war still as a

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