Abraham Lincoln's Formal Diction In The Gettysburg Address

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Abraham Lincoln’s formal diction in the “Gettysburg Address” created a reverent tone, and made him appear reputable. By choosing words like “hallow” “devotion” “nobly” and “brave” he praised the Civil War soldiers and commemorated their work. Lincoln aimed to inspire and encourage people to keep fighting. He alluded to the Declaration of Independence “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” (2048). Moreover, symbolizing equality and freedom, it gave them something to fight for. Lincoln used “we” multiple times to comfort the crowd and never said the words “I” or “me.” The last paragraph of his speech is the most important. He acknowledged that no matter what was said at the cemetery; it does not make up for the price the soldiers paid. People arrived to honor the resting place, but Lincoln said the ground already was sacred. The …show more content…

Although Lincoln was pro war, Obama created the same ethos as Lincoln despite being in opposition. He did speak using “I” and “me”, but his word choice created credibility. If the war only serves the purpose to damage, then he cannot support it. He repeats “You want a fight, President Bush?” several times to say that the Nation has bigger problems. He believed the Nation needed to fight to wean itself of off Middle East Oil. The consequences of war are dire. He did not believe in wasting valuable life for a “dumb” war. “Nor should we allow those who would march off and pay the ultimate sacrifice, who would prove the full measure of devotion with their blood, to make such an awful sacrifice in vain”

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