Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

Rhetorical Analysis Assignment

Table of Contents

Print and actively read second inaugural speech (5 pts.)
Quick paragraph/analysis outline (5 pts.)
One-page analysis (60 pts.)
Primary Sources (Required):

http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres32.htmlLinks to an external site. (Required reading)

Lincolns Second Inaugural AddressLinks to an external site.

Secondary Sources (Optional):

http://www.history.com/videos/gilder-lehrman-second-Links to an external site.inaugural#gilder-lehrman-second-inauguralLinks to an external site.

http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/american-civil-war/resources/president- lincoln%E2%80%99s-second-inaugural-address-1865Links to an external site.

http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Syntax-Of-Abraham-Lincoln’s-Second-145196.htmlLinks to an external site.

http://www.sjusd.org/schools/lincoln/downloads/Lincoln%E2%80%99s_Second_Inaugural.student_sam ples_.pdfLinks to an external site. (optional)

After carefully reading Lincoln’s second inaugural address (see instructions on active reading in Course Docs), write a one page rhetorical analysis of how the address is generally thought of as a good example of successfully using ethos in appealing to and trying to persuade a partially hostile audience (who was resentful at losing the civil war) that it was time for the country to come together as one. What could President Trump or all future presidential candidates and elects take from Lincoln’s generosity to his opposition? Give detailed examples from the speech to support your claims.

Aristotle identifies THREE aspects of the speaker’s character (ethos) that help to persuade an audience.
a) Good Sense:

• does the speaker seem to have intelligence, expertise, authoritativeness?
• does he appear to know what he is talking about?
  b) Good Moral Character:
• does the speaker seem to have a virtuous character?
  *does he appear trustworthy?
  c) Good Will (towards audience):
• do we have the feeling that the speaker cares about us?
• this involves:

*empathy (can he see things my way?)

*understanding (does he know about and care about my concerns?)
*responsiveness (is he willing to respond to my needs?)
http://www.molloy.edu/sophia/aristotle/r…