Diction and The Gettysburg Address

Inquiry: How do I discuss diction in my writing? What can a close reading of the Gettysburg Address teach me about rhetorical strategies?

1. Opener: Abbi's YLNT

2. Vocab Quiz #1

3. Levels of diction
Diction always needs to be described. For example: "The writer uses_________ diction".

Look at the 3 examples of levels of diction. What is diction and how do we change our diction-- specifically, our level of diction--to suit our purpose?

• High level diction--academic, eloquent, bombastic, formal, esoteric
• Low level diction--colloquial, grotesque, simple, slang, trite, informal, vulgar

4. Gettysburg Address: Rhetorical Devices

• Review Rhetorical Terms
• Gettysburg Address Close Reading: Use questions to guide your annotations in groups

Homework for Monday:

• Read and annotate General Patton's 3rd Army Speech
• Study for Quiz on Rhetorical Terms