Emancipation Proclamation

Worksheet Description

The worksheet is centered on the Emancipation Proclamation, a landmark document issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. The main activity tasks students with identifying four distinct rhetorical devices present within the text of the proclamation. For each identified device, students are required to provide direct quotations from the document where these rhetorical elements are evident. The inclusion of Lincoln’s portrait further emphasizes the significance and origin of the proclamation, associating the text with its influential author.

This worksheet’s primary objective is to enhance students’ abilities to recognize and understand rhetorical devices within historical documents, specifically the Emancipation Proclamation. By asking students to find direct quotations, the activity reinforces close reading and analytical skills, ensuring that learners interact directly with the source material. The emphasis on rhetorical devices highlights the importance of understanding not just what is being said in seminal documents, but also how it is conveyed and the techniques used to persuade or inform the audience. Ultimately, this exercise aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the craft of writing, the power of rhetoric, and the nuances embedded in significant historical texts.