Rhetorical Devices In Gettysburg Address
This a practice quiz. You will be given a grade, however you can retake the quiz over again for five times until you get a better grade. You are encouraged to do so.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
In his Second Inaugural Address, given one month before the end of the Civil War, United States President Abraham Lincoln surprised his audience – which expected a lengthy speech on politics, slavery, and states’ rights – with a short speech in which he contemplated the effects of the Civil War and offered his vision for the future of the nation. Read the address carefully. Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical strategies President Lincoln used to achieve his purpose. Support your analysis with specific references to the text.
- 2.
Read lines 5 - 8 and check each Rhetorical Device(s) that are used. "We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives so that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this."
- A.
Parallelism
- B.
Antithesis
- C.
Alliteration
- D.
Repetition
Correct Answer
A. ParallelismExplanation
Repetition:Replication of words or phrases in order to make a point.
Parallelism : Using similar patterns of grammatical structure and length
Parallelism
"of that nation", "of that field" are direct examples of parallel grammatical form ( prepositional phrases)
Finally the "that that nation (might live)" completes the repetition to make the point that the war and the field are responsible for the survival of the nation.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Read the first line and check each Rhetorical Device(s) that are used. "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent..."
- A.
Parallelism
- B.
Antithesis
- C.
Alliteration
- D.
Repetition
Correct Answer
C. AlliterationExplanation
Alliterates with the consonant sound "f", "four score", "founding", "fathers", forth"
Alliteration: Repeating a consonant sound in close proximity to others, or beginning several words with the same vowel sound. For instance, the phrase "buckets of big blue berries"
Alliterates with the consonant sound "f", "four score", "founding", "fathers", forth"Rate this question:
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- 4.
Read lines19 - 20, and check each Rhetorical Device(s) that are used. "that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
- A.
Parallelism
- B.
Antithesis
- C.
Alliteration
- D.
Repetition
Correct Answer(s)
A. Parallelism
C. Alliteration
D. RepetitionExplanation
Parallelism , Alliteration, Repetition
"of the people" , "by the people", "for the people" are direct examples of parallel grammatical form ( prepositional phrases)
Alliterates with the consonant sound "p" 'people, people, people, perish"
The repetition of the word "people" is to drive home the point that government must be about the People.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Read lines 10 - 11, and check each Rhetorical Device(s) that are used. "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
- A.
Parallelism
- B.
Antithesis
- C.
Alliteration
- D.
Repetition
Correct Answer(s)
B. Antithesis
C. AlliterationExplanation
In the given lines, the rhetorical device of antithesis is used. Antithesis is a figure of speech that involves contrasting ideas or words in a balanced or parallel structure. In this case, the contrast is between the brave men who struggled and are either living or dead, and the speaker's acknowledgement of their sacrifice being far beyond their ability to add or detract anything from it. Additionally, alliteration is also present in the phrase "struggled here," where the repetition of the "s" sound creates a rhythmic and memorable effect.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Read lines 9 - 10, and check each Rhetorical Device(s) that are used. "But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -we can not consecrate-- we can not hallow-this ground."
- A.
Parallelism
- B.
Antithesis
- C.
Alliteration
- D.
Repetition
Correct Answer(s)
A. Parallelism
D. RepetitionExplanation
The given lines exhibit both parallelism and repetition. Parallelism is evident in the repetition of the phrase "we can not" at the beginning of each clause. This creates a balanced and rhythmic structure in the sentence. Additionally, repetition is present in the repetition of the word "not" throughout the lines. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's point and adds emphasis to the statement.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Read lines10 - 11, and check each Rhetorical Device(s) that are used. " The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.
- A.
Parallelism
- B.
Antithesis
- C.
Alliteration
- D.
Repetition
Correct Answer(s)
A. Parallelism
B. AntithesisExplanation
Parallel use of the grammatical structure "Noun (conjunction) Noun" "living and dead", "add or detract"
Antithetical use of opposite terms "living and dead", "add or detract"Rate this question:
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- 8.
Read lines15 - 18, and check each Rhetorical Device that is used? "that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation..."
- A.
Parallelism
- B.
Antithesis
- C.
Alliteration
- D.
Repetition
Correct Answer(s)
A. Parallelism
D. RepetitionExplanation
Parallel use of the grammatical structure (relative pronoun/ relative pronoun/ noun) "that these dead" "that this nation"
Repetition with the use of "that from these" and "to that cause" to lend emphasis.Rate this question:
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- 9.
In line 7 ".. for those who here gave their lives so that the nation might live" is a use of which Rhetorical Device?
- A.
Parallelism
- B.
Antithesis
- C.
Alliteration
- D.
Repetition
Correct Answer
B. AntithesisExplanation
Antithetical elements "gave their lives" "nation might live"Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Sep 05, 2015Quiz Created by
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