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Lincoln wrote five different versions of the speech. He wrote most of the first version in Washington, D.C., and probably completed it at Gettysburg. He probably wrote the second version at Gettysburg on the evening before he delivered his address. He held this second version in his hand during the address. But he made several changes as he spoke. The most important change was to add the phrase "under God" after the word "nation" in the last sentence. Lincoln also added that phrase to the three versions of the address that he wrote after the ceremonies at Gettysburg.
Lincoln wrote the final version of the address—the fifth written version—in 1864. This version also differed somewhat from the speech he actually gave, but it was the only copy he signed. It is carved on a stone plaque in the Lincoln Memorial.
On November 19, 1863 in a ceremony to commemorate the Battle of Gettysburg fought the previous July, President Abraham Lincoln delivered this brief address, known as the Gettysburg Address, to a crowd of 15,000 people as he dedicated a cemetery for the battle's dead. Both at the time and today, Americans have looked to this address as representing the noblest vision of America and the sacrifice that is often called upon to attain that vision. This speech was short and beautifully worded. It made clear that the Union was fighting for freedom and for the survival of the American system of self- government.
Take a few minutes and think about:
"What do I know about this topic?"
One of the two major battles of the American Civil War was fought at the crossroads town of Gettysburg, Pa., from July 1 to 3, 1863. The defeat of the Southern forces at Gettysburg and their surrender of Vicksburg the next day foreshadowed Gen. Robert E. Lee's eventual surrender at Appomattox Court House.
Most of the newspapers that backed the Republican Party, the party to which Lincoln belonged, liked the speech. A majority of the newspapers that supported the Democratic Party did not. Edward Everett, the principal speaker at the dedication, wrote to Lincoln: "I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes."
In your group, re-read "The Gettysburg Address".
Focus: Style: the distinctive way in which a work of literature is written
Elements that contribute to style include:
1. word choice, sentence length, tone, imagery
2. repetition
2. parallelism: use of the same grammatical form to express ideas
In your group, look for examples elements of style. Create a graphic organizer that identifies examples of the elements of style.
To appreciate the effects, try re-writing a sentence without one of the elements. What is the overall effect of not including one of these elements of style?
Actively listen to the 1961 Inaugural Speech of President John F. Kennedy. Think about the differences and similarities of Kennedy's speech to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Consider elements of style, content, theme, and audience. Now create a Venn diagram comparing the two speeches.