Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

During the tumultuous time that was the Civil War Era, a single figure stands above many in the eyes of history: President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln pioneered the end of the Civil War and is known for his impressive diplomatic speeches. In one of these such speeches at his second inauguration, Lincoln uses several rhetorical strategies such as religious references and honesty to tap into pathos and ethos, and uses a positive tone and inclusionary language to encourage the nation to fight to end of the war. Firstly, Lincoln begins his speech addressing the “progress of our arms,” (line 11) and how they have become “reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all.” (line 13.) By beginning his speech using such informal words like “our” and using positive descriptors as “satisfactory and encouraging” Lincoln draws the listeners towards his purpose, through inclusion …show more content…
By using simple strategies such as inclusionary language, or the use of a positive tone, to more complex ones such as involving pathos or ethos through honesty or religious references. Positive hopeful words, coupled with long sentences without pauses, gave Lincoln an aura of powerful relatability. And while keeping this positivity, he stayed true to his virtues by condemning slavery, by not blaming the South, but blaming the existence of slavery itself. It’s existence was to blame, it’s “peculiar and powerful interest.” (line 30.) And finally, Lincoln used the one card that everyone at his speech could relate to, he brought in the figure of God. He used bible quotes to push forward the point that he was trying to make, even going as far to write parts of his speech in a sermon-like manner to keep the audience's attention. By doing these things, Lincoln tried his mightiest to prove his point, and get the public to try and fight for the end of the Civil