NOTICE & NOTE
BACKGROUND
President Abraham Lincoln (1809—1865) is considered an American hero
for preserving the Union and emancipating the slaves. He was a skillful
politician, leader, and orator. One of his most famous speeches was delivered
at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in
1863, site ofone of the most deadly battles of the Civil War. The victory for the
Union forces marked a turning point in the Civil War, but losses on both sides
at Gettysburg were staggering: 28,000 Confederate soldiers and 23,000 Union
soldiers were killed or wounded. Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth
in 7865. Lincoln's dedication to the ideals of freedom and equality continue to
inspire people around the world.
THE GETTYSBURG
ADDRESS
Speech by Abraham Lincoln
PREPARE TO COMPARE
As you read, pay attention to how Lincoln's speech emphasizes the Notice & Note
importance of ending the Civil War and reuniting the country. This
You can use the side margins
information will help you compare this speech with the video that
to notice and note signposts in
follows it. Ifyou come across words or passages you do not understand, the text.
ask for help from your classmates or your teacher.
o
conceive
(kon-sév') v. to form or develop
1 our score and sevenl years ago our fathers brought forth in the mind; devise
on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and
dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. ANALYZE PURPOSE
2 Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that AND AUDIENCE
nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long Annotate: Underline a sentence
endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have that tells why the audience has
come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for gathered.
those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is Respond: How does Lincoln's
altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
tone reflect the audience and
occasion?
1 four score and seven: eighty-seven.
The Gettysburg Address 57
NOTICE & NOTE
3 But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot
CONTRASTS AND consecrate—we cannot hallow3—this ground. The brave men,
CONTRADICTIONS living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it, far above
Notice & Note: Underline a our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor
sentence that shows a contrast long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what
or contradiction.
they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here
Interpret: What two things to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far
does Lincoln compare? so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the
great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead
detract
we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the
(di-träkt') v. to take away from last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that
these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under
resolve
(ri-zölv') v. to decide or become God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of
determined
the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the
earth.
perish
(pér'ish) v. to die or come to
an end
ANALYZE
RHETORICAL DEVICES
Annotate: Underline the
repeated word devotion.
Respond: What is the effect of
this repetition?
LANGUAGE CONVENTIONS
Annotate: Mark the phrases "of
the people, by the people, for
the people."
Respond: What does Lincoln's
use of parallel structure
say about the importance
of people's participation in
government?
2 consecrate: to dedicate as sacred.
3 hallow: define as holy.
58 Unit 1
N THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE NOTICE & NOTE
WHOM
HE IS ENSHRINED FOREVER
11
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Answer these questions before moving on to the Analyze the Text questions
on the following page.
1 In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln's main idea is that —
A the soldiers died because of injustice
B these men would not die in vain
C the Civil War was over after the Battle of Gettysburg
D America deserved independence and freedom
2 What historic event does Lincoln mention at the beginning of the
speech?
F The Emancipation Proclamation
e
G The arrival of European colonists
H The founding of the United States
J The end of the Civil War
3 What does Lincoln want the audience to do?
A Continue supporting the war effort
B Reject the idea of war
C End the Civil War
D Enlist in the army
The Gettysburg Address 59
RESPOND
ANALYZE TEXT
Support your responses with evidence from the text. NOTEBOOK
1. Analyze Why did Lincoln write and deliver "The Gettysburg Address"?
What were his two main purposes? Explain using evidence from the
speech.
2. Interpret The word dedicate is repeated several times in the speech.
What does dedicate mean? What idea does Lincoln emphasize with the
repetition of this word?
3. Identify Patterns Identify two examples of parallel structure in
the speech. How does Lincoln use parallel structure to persuade the
audience to accept his message?
4. Draw Conclusions Seminal U.S. documents often refer to themes
and ideals that are important to the audience they address. What is the
theme, or underlying message, of" The Gettysburg Address"? Is this
theme still important today? Explain the American ideals that the speech
upholds.
5. Notice & Note Lincoln refers to a "great civil war" and notes that
Gettysburg is "a great battlefield of that war." Why do you think
Lincoln wanted his audience to believe Gettysburg was important and
significant?
RESEARCH
RESEARCH TIP At the time of Lincoln's speech, only the people physically gathered with him
Choose your sources carefully at Gettysburg would have heard it. Everyone else would have been aware of
as you research this topic.
it only through word of mouth or through newspaper reports. Find out more
Look for valid, reliable
sources that cite historical about the people who were present to hear Lincoln speak. What were they
documents. Message boards or doing at Gettysburg? What were their reactions? How did the media report on
presentations by other students the speech?
may not be reliable sources.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS DETAILS URL/SOURCE
Who was the audience for the
speech?
What was the audience's reaction to
the speech?
How did the media cover the speech?
Connect Share what you learn in a panel discussion or brief presentation.
Be sure to identify the source for each piece of information you use to support
your ideas.
60 Unit 1
