Analyzing "The Gettysburg Address" by Abraham Lincoln President's Day Activity

Great for President's Day! Practice analyzing text to locate literary devices and persuasive technique using the famous "Gettysburg Address" speech by President Abraham Lincoln.

Lesson includes:

*A page of pre-reading/essential questions to set a purpose for reading and build background knowledge and vocabulary.
*Copy of the speech text for ease of implementation. No digging for a resource!
*Quick Check page with comprehension questions and paraphrasing prompt.
*Literary Devices page requiring students to match lines from the speech to the literary devices given.
*Persuasive Technique page requiring students to how a passage from the speech is an example of the given persuasive technique, plus a prompt reflecting on the persuasive technique that most applies to Lincoln’s speech as a whole.
*Responding to Text page requiring students to respond critically to the speech in a short essay.
*Extending the Text page requiring students to create a “word cloud” using at least 50 significant words from the text.

Sample Lesson Pacing:

Day 1: Set purpose for reading, establish background, review vocabulary, do a silent reading of the speech.
Day 2: Review vocabulary, do a close read of the speech as a group. Assign the quick check as homework/independent work.
Day 3: Mini-lessons on literary devices. Students analyze the text for the types of literary devices covered.
Day 4: Mini-lessons on persuasive techniques. Students analyze the text for the persuasive techniques covered in the handout.
Day 5: Reread speech and discuss importance in history. Assign reading response prompt/essay. Assign the word cloud activity as homework.