Abraham Lincoln: The Gettysburg Address

What do you notice about the length of the speech?

The the length of this particular speech is noticeable. For such a profound speech, that is often studied in schools throughout america, it is very short. Although the amazing thing is that Lincoln is able to put such power into this small, short speech.

What do you notice about the organisation?

I've found the speech to be fairly organised. it consistos of the 3 main things, an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. I've found it easy to follow and because of the length, he got his point across without becoming too repetitive and boring. 

What do you think is the thesis of the speech?

The thesis of this speech is that Lincoln is trying to convince his audience that they need to fight for there country.

Name two techniques (with quotes) which you feel are successfully employed and discuss why you feel they are so effective.

Two techniques which are successfully employed in this speech are both, Pathos where Lincoln incorporates his feelings into his audience saying that
"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure." 
meaning that we can not stop the fight that has been put down before them and that they must fight to protect what is theres. Secondly he has used repetition, to get the message deep into the thoughts of his audience,
"we cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate - we cannot hallow - this ground." 

Why do you think that the concluding statement is considered so important and powerful by many Americans to this day?

I believe that the concluding statement is considered so important and powerful by many Americans to this day because of their proud history of freedom, and power, and the fact that they see there rights and laws very strongly, and this in turn creates a sense of pride that comes from this.