Gettysburg Address document based questions
Directions: Look at each paragraph of the Gettysburg Address carefully and
respond in detail to the analysis questions. Provide at least a 2 strong sentence
response for each question.
1. Why does Lincoln bring up the phrase: “Four score and seven years ago
our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation…”?
2. Lincoln uses the word dedicate (or a form of it) several times throughout
this small speech. What meaning does the word “dedicated” in the first
paragraph mean?
3. This last paragraph is the climax (high point) of Lincoln’s speech. What
do you think makes it to be that way? (Use textual evidence to support
your thought.)
4. How does Lincoln urge his listeners to action in this final paragraph? (Use
textual evidence and explain.)
5. What is the significance of stating “…government of the people, by the
people, for the people”?