Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Words: 492

Pages: 2

Open Document

Former and now the current President, Abraham Lincoln, in his second inauguration address speech into the presidency. He focuses on us, the citizens of America, to join as one union once again. He develops his claim by first speaking about the recent civil war events, then he begins mentioning how we all follow the bible, and finally sums up that we should look past the civil war, and become one union in spirit again. Lincoln’s purpose in his speech is to convince the body of America that we are one country and we should act as a brotherhood. He establishes a candid tone for the citizens of America. In the beginning of his speech, Lincoln establishes ethos by mentioning that he won’t need an extended address since he was already president once. Within the past four years, nothing major hasn’t happened that the public had not heard of. The largest recent event was the Civil War. After everything that has happened, Lincoln wants to make the effort to look forward to a hopeful and encouraging future. …show more content…
With one eighth of the population being African American, and with most of the African American population residing in the south, it was believed that the main cause for war for the South was to keep slaves for labor. It was mentioned that neither side wanted war, but no matter what, it was inevitable in the end. At this point, pathos is introduced. The North and South, although different, had one common interest at heart as a whole: the Bible. The majority of both sides followed the word of God. Lincoln applies logos to reason that God no longer wanted slavery. An analogy was used, which was the sword, which can be any weapon to cause

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address speech, (March 4, 1864) speaks about the war that has recently happened between the North and the South. As the president spoke about the war, it wasn't about happiness but mainly of sadness. He supports his claim by telling about the civil just ending and it ending slavery. He know that the americans are torn apart with the war that struck them and tore them apart. He gives this speech to give them inspiration to have…

Words 283 - Pages 2

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis

Famous president, Abraham Lincoln, gave his Second Inaugural Address on March 4, 1865. Lincoln adopts a solemn and serious tone while he recounts the atrocities of the Civil War and how the nation can still come together for in the future. Lincoln uses repetition and allusions to God in order to convey his purpose to the American people (as well as the Confederates). First, Lincoln’s use of repetition expresses the nation’s animosity towards the war and how they greatly underestimated it. The Civil…

Words 424 - Pages 2

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

stand and address a divided nation. Lincoln’s speeches are often surprisingly short, but at the same time so drastically impactful. His eloquence continues to this present day and was heard throughout his second inaugural address. Lincoln was very aware of the people’s concerns about the Civil War conflict and consequences it has created. Many of the Union’s people were wary about what turmoil and continued destruction the war would bring. In Lincoln’s intelligent and eloquent address, he was able…

Words 152 - Pages 1

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Lincoln’s speeches are usually short, but very meaningful. During Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln used critical diction to provoke a saddened tone and a juxtaposition of the two sides of the war in order to raise awareness within the citizens of America to continue to work for peace. Throughout the speech Lincoln’s diction was carefully thought of. He does not want to use contrary words or completely censure the South. Instead of saying “war”, Lincoln prefers “great contest”…

Words 134 - Pages 1

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis

Abraham Lincoln gave a short speech for his second inaugural address, which was unexpected. Covering topics such as politics, slavery, and states’ rights, Lincoln addresses the issues in the country. Specifically, he contemplated the effects of the Civil War and gave his opinion on how the future for America should look like. Even though Lincoln’s speech was short, he used rhetorical strategies to achieve his purpose. The former president used rhetorical devices like ethos, pathos, and logos by using…

Words 351 - Pages 2

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

every war U.S. has ever participated in, including World War II. Therefore, in reality neither side won for the loss greatly outweighed the gain. The idea of the war being a loss on both sides is something Abraham Lincoln expresses in his Second Inaugural Address through his sad and regretful tone. Lincoln creates his tone of sadness and regret to express how awful the whole war is, due to, the war going against God, how it affected the country, and how it affected the people of the United States…

Words 540 - Pages 3

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

In 1865, near the end of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address to the American citizens. While Lincoln's tone begins as somber, it shifts to optimistic, allowing his overall purpose, unifying America through his use of biblical allusions and appeal to pathos, to be expressed. Lincoln establishes a somber tone with his use of diction in the beginning of his Second Inaugural Address, but it changes to inspirational and optimistic. For example, in his speech he discusses…

Words 373 - Pages 2

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

starts on how there is a “less occasion for an extend address” meaning that theirs not much to say since it's his second inaugural address. And also uses comparison again when describing that during the Civil War both sides wanted the same thing for each other “both looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and outstanding. Both read the same bible and pray to the same God and each invoked his aid against others.” Another rhetorical strategy that president Lincoln uses were allusions…

Words 260 - Pages 2

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

On March 4, 1865, President Lincoln delivered his Second Inaugural Address before the end of the Civil War. Hughes is a calm tone to convinced American citizens peace is possible between the north and south. He does so by utilizing pathos to get his message across. Lincoln implements pathos to help convey his message that peace can be acquired after the Civil War. He first sparks nationalism within American citizens. He states, “insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war…

Words 296 - Pages 2

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

excellent rhetorical skill in his Second Inaugural Address in 1865. When approaching this speech he faced the challenging task of addressing the nation after one of its bloodiest and most damaging wars in its history. Lincoln’s use of rhetorical strategies such as tone, juxtaposition, and Aristotle’s three rhetorical appeals help to make his concise address into a tool that enabled America to join as one once again after the grueling war between the North and the South. Lincoln’s tone in his…

Words 821 - Pages 4