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How Does Lincoln Use Ethos In The Gettysburg Address

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In 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the most powerful and historic speeches in American history. Lincoln delivered the speech during the American Civil War and people were standing on the same ground where hundreds of men had died in battle. Lincoln spoke two hundred and seventy three words and delivered his point across strong. The “Gettysburg Address”, by Lincoln, was created to discuss the purpose of the Civil War, which included a memorial dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives for equality, and the importance of maintaining the Democratic government. Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” speech was successful through his use of structure, pathos, and ethos. First, Lincoln’s speech was very organized and structured. In the “Gettysburg Address”, Lincoln uses chronological order. He begins the speech by talking about the past. Lincoln talks about the founding forefathers who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Lincoln says that our founding forefathers, “dedicated to the proposition that …show more content…

Lincoln was an authority figure and was credible. The audience knew that Lincoln was credible because he was the President of the United States. To become the President, people had to elect Lincoln as President, which demonstrates the trust they placed on him as a leader. Lincoln also displays ethos in the beginning of his speech saying, “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedication to the proposition that all men are created equal” (Lincoln 1). Lincoln is using credible information, talking about the nation’s history and the Declaration of Independence. In an article written by W. George Scarlett, he speaks of Lincoln’s virtues saying, “Honesty, self-discipline, plainness, simplicity and compassion are among these enduring virtues” (Scarlett 3). Lincoln was known as one of the most honest and truthful leaders in American

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