Rhetorical Analysis: Syntax in the Gettysburg Address

How does Lincoln's use of parallel structure in the phrase "government of the people, by the people, for the people" contribute to the overall impact of the Gettysburg Address?

• It emphasizes the role of government in economic development.

• It reinforces the democratic ideals upon which the nation was founded.

• It highlights the military achievements of the Union army.

• It suggests a need for governmental reform.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

In the sentence "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here," what is the effect of the conjunction "but"?

• It creates a unity between the unrelated topics in each clause.

• It contrasts the significance of words with the significance of actions.

• It suggests that both clauses are equally important.

• It mitigates the importance of the soldiers' actions.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Analyze how Lincoln's use of repetition in "we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground" serves his rhetorical purpose.

• It creates a sense of grandeur and sophistication of thought.

• It emphasizes the limitations of the living in honoring the dead.

• It suggests that the ground is already sacred.

• It highlights the need for military victory to honor the dead soldiers.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What is the primary purpose of Lincoln's use of antithesis in the Gettysburg Address?

• To better relate to the audience via contradictory statements.

• To highlight the differences between the North and the South.

• To dramatize the contrast between words and actions.

• To emphasize the importance of military strategy.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Evaluate the effect of the cumulative sentence structure in the opening line of the Gettysburg Address: "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."

• It confuses the audience with too much information at once.

• It provides a clear and straightforward introduction to the speech.

• It diminishes the importance of the historical context.

• It suggests that the nation was founded on weak principles.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

In what way does the structure of the final sentence of the Gettysburg Address enhance its rhetorical impact?

• By using a series of ideas that are all equal in importance and sophistication.

• By creating a hierarchy of ideas that build to a powerful conclusion.

• By focusing on how past achievements can provide a future for the nation.

• By emphasizing the importance of the soldiers' sacrifice.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Analyze the rhetorical effect of Lincoln's decision to use the phrase "we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground."

• It suggests that the ground itself is important and should be commemorated.

• It emphasizes the sacredness of the soldiers' sacrifice.

• It enables Lincoln to better connect with his audience.

• It highlights the need for further military action.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What rhetorical choice is used in this excerpt: "we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground”

• Parallelism

• Antithesis

• Alliteration
• Parenthetical

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What rhetorical device is used in the phrase "of the people, by the people, for the people"?

• Cumulative

• Parenthetical

• Antithesis

• Parallelism

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

• What rhetorical choice is used in this excerpt: "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

• Parenthetical

• Cumulative

• Parallelism

• Antithesis

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3