Preview

Syntax In Lincoln's Inaugural Address

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
278 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Syntax In Lincoln's Inaugural Address
In President Abraham Lincoln's address, the syntax moves from one long sentence to choppy and finally to a mix of long and medium sentences that repeat certain words. In the beginning President Lincoln uses phrases that are no longer commonly used and parallelism. This emphasizes a tone of unity and strength needed to win the war.He uses repetition and anaphora in order to captivate and inspire his audience, emphasizing the main idea that the United States must emerge from the adversity of the Civil War as a nation manifesting equality and freedom.
In the middle, the repetition of "we" and "dedicate" are separated by the use of dashes, the speech also shifts with the word "but". Because of the dashes through out the paragraph there is a choppy

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Although many remember him as the President who ended slavery and preserved the Union, Abraham Lincoln was also a very gifted political prose writer. Lincoln wrote many powerful and memorable speeches, but arguably his most famous speech is the 272-word “Gettysburg Address,” which he delivered at a dedication ceremony for the first national cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Throughout the entire speech, Lincoln masterfully utilizes several rhetorical techniques, especially the use of repetition. He repeats two separate patterns of grammar in his address. For example, to start his third paragraph Lincoln writes, “But in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground,” and to finish that same paragraph,…

    • 195 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address was put in the president’s awareness of the Union citizens’ developing concern about the grave causes and effects of the then warring Civil conflict. In order to push Union citizens to remain influenced towards this repair of the Union by forgiving Confederate insurgents and seeing pass the necessary war, Lincoln changes between inclusive pronouns to dual language to capture battles and shared beliefs among Americans, as well as intense statements to God’s high powers to portray the war as revenge for the sins of slavery.…

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Lincoln’s opening lines of his speech, he establishes that he knows that neither attitude has changed. The North is still pressing for expulsion of slavery and the South is still pushing for expansion of slavery. However, he establishes that slavery is not the point of his address. He uses words such as “extended,” “pursued,” “progress” and “reasonably satisfactory” to show that his main points are the effects the war will have on future generations. He does not address the issue with a condescending tone: he speaks in a supportive, optimistic way that encourages unity.…

    • 210 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Lincoln’s four speeches seem to share the same theme for the most part, aside from one. The speeches performed in October 1854, July 1858 and October 1858 all share the same message, expressing the main points being that all men are created equal, all men deserve a voice in the government, slaves and colored people are entitled to inalienable rights mentioned in the constitution, and that enslaving a human being in an infringement of the constitution. These are the values that we remember Lincoln for and it seems that these were his main principles that he represented for his entire political career. Despite this, his speech in September 1858 changes his points and themes entirely. He goes on to say that colored people are simply inferior to…

    • 264 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Could you imagine being the president of the United States during the Civil War? Imagine how hard it would have been to have blood on your hands, because every decision you made, would have still led to war. These were some of the thoughts going through president Lincoln's head as he gave his second inaugural speech. During his address, Lincoln uses syntax, irony, and ethos to express his feelings about the upcoming war.…

    • 181 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Abraham Lincoln's speech addresses the issues of slavery and how the civil war could have been avoided. Lincoln appeals to the American people's sense of jingoism and references the bible to create a common ground for the people to relate with.…

    • 339 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    On May 30, 1922, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated, the world witnessed how $2,000,000 in federal dollars, 38,000 tons of marble, limestone and granite and eight years of American elbow grease, had finally resulted in something truly spectacular, had resulted in a very, very expensive typo.…

    • 220 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 and died on April 15, 1865 at the age of 56.He lived in Springfield Illinois for 25 years. He was married to Mary Todd Lincoln and they had 4 children. One child died at a very young age. Lincoln was tall at 6’4” and was recognized by wearing a tall black hat. Lincoln was the republican candidate for the election.…

    • 723 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lincoln begins his second inaugural address by creating himself as a trustworthy and humble speaker. He concedes to his audience repeatedly, sharing that he understands they do not want to listen to a lengthy self-righteous speech at this point, he cannot give them any new information, and “with high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.” By showing great understanding and sympathy for his audience, he lets them know he is on their side and will not lead them astray. If he were to predict outcomes the audience would be well aware that the war had not proceeded as any of them had predicted. Making claims such as this could make him easily lose his credibility, which would be detrimental at the beginning of his speech. Lincoln is hoping to end the war and convince his listeners to extend a nonjudgmental and forgiving hand to their Southern brethren to help reunite the country. By calming his audience and making them feel they are in trustworthy hands, he is setting them up to hear his logic and do as he wishes.…

    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    During Lincoln’s second address, people were shocked about how short and concise his speech was. Instead of addressing slavery, states’ rights, and politics, he offered his view on the future of the nation. In his address, Lincoln used rhetorical strategies such as syntax, diction, and pathos to inform his citizens that he has a better vision for the future of the nation.…

    • 262 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The story is told of a union soldier who during the early days of the Civil War in America was arrested on the charges of desertion.…

    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg not only memorialized the deaths of the fallen, but also, through the use of the rhetorical strategies of repetition, pathos, and syntax, served as a away to get the people to continue the war. His syntax was most effective in the way that his speech was only composed of two hundred and seventy-words and still serves as one of the greatest speeches ever made. Lincoln’s repetition was used very carefully concentrating on the words being repeated and finally his use of pathos. Lincoln used pathos in away that affected the audience’s emotional views about the battle and the emotional connection between him and the audience. Lincoln’s speech was successful because of these rhetoric devices.…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On March 4, 1865, Lincoln presented himself to the public to deliver his speech; days before the Civil War came to the end. Lincoln’s anguish is displayed as he summarized the events that led to the Civil War. Trust was destroyed between the North and South and Lincoln was left with a nation in turmoil fighting over slavery. He reminded the people that they were one nation, not two independent nations warring against each other. He did not want to throw accusations to one side and chose to show the common qualities each side had in each time period. In doing this, he forced the people to widen their mind and consider the other side’s perspective. He did not want the sides to continue fighting and wanted to create a common ground and impacted…

    • 774 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On November 19, 1863 Abraham Lincoln gave a reverent and humbling speech for the soldiers who had given their lives at the battle of Gettysburg for the reform and advancement of the country. He states that the brave men who here gave their last full measure of devotion” should be highly esteemed for the sacrifice they made. Lincoln establishes his ideas through the usage of rhetorical devices such as, an appeal to ethos, parallelism, and juxtaposition.…

    • 282 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the "Second Inaugural Address" (1865), Abraham Lincoln contemplates that they, as a United Nation, should reflect on the effects of the Civil War and move towards a better future for this nation. He addresses God and the issue of slavery in order to encourage the Northern and Southern states towards reconciliation. Lincoln tries to reveal his intention by utilizing figurative diction, parallel syntax, and a shifting tone.…

    • 865 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays