In this activity, you will explore Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address through close reading. You’ll

read the speech multiple times, each time focusing on different aspects to deepen your

understanding.

The Gettysburg Address is a short but powerful speech delivered during the American Civil War. It’s

remembered for its concise language and its message about equality, freedom, and national unity.

Understanding this speech helps us appreciate the challenges faced during the Civil War and its

lasting impact on American values. In this activity, pay attention to how Lincoln uses specific words

and phrases to convey his message effectively. Focus on identifying the key themes and literary

devices within the text.

Key skills and concepts we’ll focus on:

Close reading: Carefully examining a text to understand its deeper meanings and how it’s

constructed.

Historical context: Understanding the events and circumstances that influenced the creation of

the Gettysburg Address.

Literary devices: Identifying techniques such as metaphors, allusions, and parallelism that

enhance the speech’s impact.

* **Read actively:** Annotate the text with questions, comments, and observations.

* **Focus on details:** Pay attention to specific word choices, sentence structures, and literary devices.

* **Consider context:** Think about the historical and cultural context in which the text was created.

* **Connect ideas:** Look for relationships between different parts of the text and draw connections to your own knowledge and experiences.