Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
— Abraham Lincoln
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Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is perhaps the most studied example of concise, powerful rhetoric in English. Delivered in just 272 words, it redefined the Civil War's purpose and established principles of equality that echo to this day. The speech demonstrates how brevity amplifies impact—Lincoln spoke for only two minutes, yet his words outlasted the two-hour speech that preceded him.
Rhythmic Triads:
Lincoln uses groups of three throughout: 'we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow.' This creates memorable, musical phrases that stick in the reader's mind.Temporal Framing:
The speech moves from past ('fourscore and seven years ago') to present ('now we are engaged') to future ('shall not perish from the earth'), creating a sense of historical continuity and purpose.Concrete to Abstract:
Lincoln grounds abstract ideals (liberty, equality) in concrete action (dedicating a battlefield), making philosophy feel tangible and urgent.The most powerful messages are often the shortest. Lincoln proves that every word must earn its place—if you can cut it without losing meaning, cut it.
Chapter 1: Rhythm & Cadence
How writing feels when read aloud. Sentence variation. Musicality of prose.
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