Lincoln, Abraham. Abraham Lincoln Papers: Series 3. General Correspondence. 1937–1897: Abraham Lincoln, November 1863 Gettysburg Address: Nicolay Copy. November, 1863. Manuscript/Mixed Material. https://www.loc.gov/item/mal4356500/.
This concise yet powerful speech is well-suited for both general English courses and AP English Language and Composition. The value lies in its historical significance, clear examples of rhetorical appeals, and effective use of various rhetorical devices. Additionally, it serves as an excellent foundational text for exploring and understanding the rhetorical situation.
On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lincoln had been invited to give a "few appropriate remarks" during a ceremony to dedicate a cemetery for Union soldiers killed at the Battle of Gettysburg. Despite its brevity and the fact that it earned little attention at the time, the Gettysburg Address is considered one of Lincoln's greatest speeches. Of the five known manuscript copies of the Gettysburg Address, the Library of Congress has two. President Lincoln gave one of these to each of his two private secretaries, John Nicolay and John Hay. This is John Nicolay’s copy of the speech.
This is a copy of Abraham Lincoln’s speech, which he delivered near the site of the Battle of Gettysburg on November 19, 1863, where he dedicated the cemetery to the fallen soldiers of the Civil War.
- Why did Abraham Lincoln choose to deliver the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of a cemetery, and how does this setting impact the speech’s meaning?
- How does Lincoln use repetition to emphasize key ideas in his speech?
- What rhetorical devices can you identify in the Gettysburg Address? How do these devices enhance the speech’s power?
- What is the effect of Lincoln’s use of brevity and simplicity in delivering such a profound message?
- What does the phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” mean, and how does it reflect Lincoln’s vision for America’s future?
Common Core Literacy Standards
RI.11-12.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- Students analyze the Lincoln’s speech, citing specific language to explore themes of unity, sacrifice, and equality.
RI.11-12.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
- Students analyze Lincoln’s use of rhetorical devices (parallelism, repetition, and diction) to achieve emotional and persuasive effects.
RI.9-10.9: Analyze seminal U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (e.g., Washington's Farewell Address, the Gettysburg Address, Roosevelt's Four Freedoms speech, King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail"), including how they address related themes and concepts.
- Students can compare this speech with excerpts from other foundational texts to analyze how they address related themes:
- The Declaration of Independence: Compare its emphasis on equality and liberty to Lincoln’s reinterpretation of these ideals during the Civil War.
- King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”: Explore how both texts use rhetorical appeals to argue for the realization of American ideals of equality.
- Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms Speech: Examine how both Lincoln and Roosevelt link freedom and democracy to national and global struggles.
RI.11-12.2: Determine two or more central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text.
- Identify central themes such as “dedication,” “democracy,” and “the unfinished work of freedom” and examine how Lincoln develops these ideas in under 300 words.
RI.11-12.5: Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in their exposition or argument.
- Examine the concise structure of the speech and discuss why brevity enhances its power and purpose.
- SOAPSTone: Introduce students to the concept of the rhetorical situation, and analyze the speech with the SOAPSTone technique, in which students identify the speaker, occasion, audience, purpose, subject, and tone of the text.
- Close Reading: Have students annotate the speech for key phrases, rhetorical devices, and powerful words.
- Rhetoric: After students have been taught the rhetorical appeals, students can identify which sentences are appeals to credibility, emotion, and logic.
- Rhetorical Analysis: "The Gettysburg Address" is rich in rhetorical devices, which makes it a text to use for both identifying the rhetorical situation and writing a rhetorical analysis. Writing Prompt:
- Carefully read Abraham Lincoln’s famous dedication of a cemetery near the site of the Battle of Gettysburg on November 19, 1863, now known as the Gettysburg Address. Write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical strategies Lincoln used to achieve his purpose.
- Textual Comparison: Compare the speech with other significant speeches or documents, like the Declaration of Independence or Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
- Primary Source Research: Have students read other Lincoln speeches (e.g., the Second Inaugural Address) to understand how his rhetoric developed and how the Gettysburg Address fits into his larger vision.
- Concerns About Political or Historical Bias: Some parents may feel that teaching this speech focuses too heavily on one interpretation of American history, particularly the Civil War, and fails to provide a balanced perspective.
- Discussions of Race and Equality: The speech ties closely to themes of equality and the abolition of slavery, which could lead discussions about systemic racism and the legacy of slavery. Some parents may feel unprepared or resistant to these conversations in the classroom.
- Objections to Civil or Moral Messaging: Some may see the speech as promoting a particular civil or moral perspective, such as the idea of national unity or sacrifice, which might conflict with personal beliefs.
- Political Polarization: Teaching historically significant documents often intersects with modern political debates, and some parents might worry the discussion could become politically charged.
- The link that follows is Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which was delivered near the end of the Civil War. It reflects on the causes of the conflict and emphasizes reconciliation and healing. It could provide a deeper exploration of themes like unity and justice. https://www.loc.gov/item/2020770559/
- The link that follows is the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. This document underscores Lincoln’s stance on slavery and his role in shaping national policy. It can foster discussions on freedom, equality, and challenges of governance during wartime. https://www.loc.gov/item/scsm000950/
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS.” TEACHER RESOURCE GUIDE, n.d. https://presidentlincoln.illinois.gov/Resources/8cbe6700-ce47-4ff8-a5d8-7fda74b05c64/gettysburg-address-lessons.pdf.
- “Analyzing Famous Speeches as Arguments | Read Write Think,” n.d. https://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/analyzing-famous-speeches-arguments.