Emotional+Appeal

Emotional Appeal - When a writer appeals to readers' emotions (often through pathos) to excite and involve them in the argument.

1) "We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live."

In the Gettysburg Address Lincoln used emotional appeal to create an emphasis on the meaning of his speech. By using emotional appeal it pulls on the heartstrings of people and the audience becomes even more engaged. Within this particular quote Lincoln grasps the listeners attention by stating that people died for this country. When the idea of death is mentioned it changes a persons view of whatever it is they are listening to; it makes them feel like they can relate on a more personal level. This statement means that America must remember the men who fought at the battle of Gettysburg.

2) "It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain..."

The emotional pull within this quote is "for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion". This goes back to the idea that death has a toll, emotionally, on people. In this quote Lincoln says that the people must honor the dead by pursuing the idea that they died for to keep alive. Another emotional pull within this statement is "these dead shall not have died in vain". This means that the dead's idea should be followed through with and not forgotten or there was no point in them fighting for something at all.

Questions: 1) Do you think that all types of writing need some type of emotional appeal? Why or why not?

2) Do you think that this particular would have been just as effective with no emotional appeal? Why or why not?