Question

In 150-300 words, explain the purpose of using pathos in a speech. Provide support from the Gettysburg Address to prove your assertions.

Answer 1

Pathos is defined as a rhetoric literary device used that appeals to the emotions of its intended audience. The used of words that evokes emotional responses from the audience to either agree or disagree to the points that the speaker is talking about. 

"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 gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." - The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln given on November 19, 1863

In the above passage, Lincoln is calling out to the people to honor the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their nation. He calls out for the patriotic responses of the citizens.

Answer 2

Answer:

The purpose of using pathos in a speech is to have the listeners make a connection and relate with the person giving the speech. An example of pathos would be a speaker telling the audience that they had a pet when they were little. Since many people have pets, many people can relate to having pets. If the speaker were to go into more depth, saying that they had a snake when they were little, some people could still relate to having a snake, but less than having a pet.  An example of using pathos in The Gettysburg Address is: “The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here...” This is an example of pathos because people can make a connection with brave men, living and dead, who are struggling. While this meant for people who serve our country, this can also apply to people living or dead that are/were struggling. Another example would be: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty...” this is an example of pathos because this is something that people from the United States can relate to. In Lincoln’s time it was “Four score and seven years ago” that the founding fathers created the nation. Thus, Abraham Lincoln using pathos in The Gettysburg Address.

Explanation: