Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

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Abraham Lincoln spoke with confidence and inspiration in his second inaugural address because he was seeking for reconciliation, he acted as if everyone wanting to save the union was on the same side. Keeping in mind the end goal to attempt and adjust for the transgression of bondage. However, Lincoln’s form of expression, rhetorical devices, and organization offered him assistance with convincing the group of onlookers that the countries fate was still brilliant.
Abraham Lincoln’s choice of words gave the sense that the united states was still united. For example, in paragraph two, he expresses that at his first inauguration, “All thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war,” the whole united states was stressed over their future, insinuating discontent about all of the upcoming arguments, since neither side was looking forward to all of the deaths and bloodshed. This was what was supposed to make the crowd of northerners, Lincoln was addressing more likely to agree with the south. In the end, all humans are equally struck hard by loss. Towards the end, Lincoln attempted to encourage the people, that identifying with an enemy is the first step towards …show more content…

Sentences such as “Both read the same bible and pray to the same god, and each invoked his and against the other,” demonstrated that both sides had a considerable amount of things in common. They did not anticipate the war to be so difficult and complicated. They also justified their fighting in similar ways. “They both also felt that the cause for conflict was lost, it was like they were not aware of what they were fighting about. By using words such as neither, both, and each, Lincoln sets up parallel structure and positive comparison. A lot of positivity and optimism was used throughout the

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