Lincoln's Effective Language in the Gettysburg Address and that they are equal. Lincoln used phrases such as "we are engaged in a great civil war" and "it is...appropriate that we should do this" to include the public. At the beginning of the last paragraph, Lincoln says, “we cannot consecrate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot sanctify.” He uses this to emphasize that the people gathered there are largely involved in the civil war. Throughout the speech, "our" and "we" are also used to include the audience, Lincoln says "our fathers" and "before us." Lincoln used inclusive language so as not to elevate himself above the public or the "honored dead"; he identified himself as part of the American people. Through the use of inclusive language, Lincoln was able to connect with his audience in a more personal way.

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