Contrary to popular belief, “The Gettysburg Address” was not initially well-received. It was even labeled by critics as “ludicrous and silly.” 150 years later, it is one of the best-remembered American speeches, as Abraham Lincoln was speaking through the ages about American perseverance. Nearly 150 years ago, General Lee of the confederacy led his troops to Gettysburg. He had hoped that a confederate victory as north as Pennsylvania would strike fear into an already disillusioned union, and ultimately bring them to negotiations. This decisive battle was costly on both sides, but the union ultimately prevailed. In order to restore confidence into an already disillusioned population, Lincoln’s Address focused on dedication and that in increased dedication they can prevail. In his best-remembered speech, “The Gettysburg Address,” Abraham Lincoln uses loaded language, repetition, and multiple comparisons, while focusing on themes such as dedication, tests, and death, to illustrate his belief that conviction and perseverance can overcome nearly everything.

Having been prompted to speak at a dedication that would mark off a portion of Gettysburg to honor the ones who died there, Lincoln first and foremost talks about dedication. After giving historical context about the nation “conceived in liberty,” Lincoln arrives at a portion of his speech where he must acknowledge the dead. He contrasts the nation and the dead whom “gave their lives that that nation might live." This use of paradoxical writing both adds to the importance of the sacrifice the honored dead had made, and the cause to which they made their sacrifice. The personification of the nation adds emotional depth to the speech. The subject matter of Lincoln’s Address changes at this point in the speech, from the honored dead to the nation, and to the living. Later in his speech, Lincoln notes that “it is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increase devotion." In fact, the word “dedicate” is repeated more than any other non-function word in his speech. This sentence is the apex of the Address because Lincoln indirectly compares his audience to the honored dead. Lincoln uses the word “dedicate” to make this comparison. This is important because it serves as a call-to-arms for Lincoln’s speech, and therefore, the purpose of the speech. The comparing and contrasting of the honored dead to the audience throughout the speech further Lincoln’s belief that the nation can overcome its trial through increased dedication, as the honored dead had overcome theirs. By illustrating that the honored dead were the pinnacle of dedication, Lincoln shows the audience that in increased dedication, they, too, can overcome what they might have thought impossible.

The civil war is popularly believed to be the test of whether the United States would long endure. Having endured terrible losses on both fronts, nationalism started to wane at the time Lincoln gave his Address; he explains the legitimacy of the war by comparing it to a test. Lincoln puts his speech in historical context explaining that “now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure” and wishfully states at the end of his speech that “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom … [and] shall not perish from the earth." Lincoln compares the civil war to a test. To convince his audience of the legitimacy of the war, Lincoln uses words with emotionally charged connotations such as: conceive, birth, consecrate, hallow, and perish. Lincoln uses positive words like conceive, birth, consecrate, and hallow to articulate what he wants as a result of the war. He also uses those words to further honor the dead he came to respect. He uses negatively charged words akin to “perish” to illustrate what the nation is trying to avoid. The use of the word “perish” personifies the nation in order to restore a positive national attitude in his audience. By comparing the civil war to a test, Lincoln recommends that the best solution to the test is an increased devotion, which is not only applicable to the nation’s life, but to anyone’s.

Lincoln’s true fear is the death of not only more soldiers, but of the whole United States, which he believes would come to fruition if the south were to win. While Gettysburg was a Union victory, they still retained heavy losses; Lincoln uses the dedication to restore national confidence, and creatively does this by drawing a connection between the fallen soldiers and his audience. In order to honor the dead, Lincoln does not credit them with words alone; he instead tells his audience that the dead had already honored themselves. When Lincoln arrives at the part of his speech where he should honor the dead, instead of honoring them, he instead explains that “the brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract." Lincoln uses many words to bring emotion into his speech for example, “consecrate,” “hallow,” and “dedicate.” Out of context, one would assume these words would be used for an occasion of joy. Instead, his use of those words is grim, which brings a somber mood to the speech. This somber, yet joyous mood has a twofold purpose – to acknowledge the gloom the war has created, and to let his audience take away a new devotion to themselves and to their country. Lincoln also uses this sentence to effectively shelf talking about the dead to focus on increasing the devotion of his audience. Moreover, by speaking so highly of the honored dead, he forces his audience to compare themselves to the honored dead in order to increase commitment and make sure that the honored dead “shall not have died in vain." By speaking highly of the dead soldiers, and illustrating that they persevered through even death itself, Lincoln increases the resolve of his audience by showing that they might overcome hardships through perseverance, too.

The purpose of “The Gettysburg Address” was to restore confidence in a disillusioned American people by Lincoln’s strong choice of diction and writing style, but his words are not confined to the civil war, rather, he was speaking through the ages that through increased dedication, one can overcome many of life’s trials. It is both fitting and proper that at a dedication Lincoln speaks about just that – dedication. He talks about overarching themes of humanity such as tests, death, and perseverance to honor the dead, as well as to increase the resolve of his audience. This audience is not confined to the people that listened to Lincoln the day he gave his speech at Gettysburg, or even the nineteenth century. Rather, the audience is everyone who has trials and tribulation in their lives. This personable appeal makes “The Gettysburg Address” unique, and has the ability to inspire increased resolve in many, no matter the time or place. Lincoln truly is speaking through the ages.

Contrary to popular belief, “The Gettysburg Address” was not initially well-received. It was even labeled by critics as “ludicrous and silly.” 150 years later, it is one of the best-remembered American speeches, as Abraham Lincoln was speaking through the ages about American perseverance. Nearly 150 years ago, General Lee of the confederacy led his troops to Gettysburg. He had hoped that a confederate victory as north as Pennsylvania would strike fear into an already disillusioned union, and ultimately bring them to negotiations. This decisive battle was costly on both sides, but the union ultimately prevailed. In order to restore confidence into an already disillusioned population, Lincoln’s Address focused on dedication and that in increased dedication they can prevail. In his best-remembered speech, “The Gettysburg Address,” Abraham Lincoln uses loaded language, repetition, and multiple comparisons, while focusing on themes such as dedication, tests, and death, to illustrate his belief that conviction and perseverance can overcome nearly everything.

Having been prompted to speak at a dedication that would mark off a portion of Gettysburg to honor the ones who died there, Lincoln first and foremost talks about dedication. After giving historical context about the nation “conceived in liberty,” Lincoln arrives at a portion of his speech where he must acknowledge the dead. He contrasts the nation and the dead whom “gave their lives that that nation might live." This use of paradoxical writing both adds to the importance of the sacrifice the honored dead had made, and the cause to which they made their sacrifice. The personification of the nation adds emotional depth to the speech. The subject matter of Lincoln’s Address changes at this point in the speech, from the honored dead to the nation, and to the living. Later in his speech, Lincoln notes that “it is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increase devotion." In fact, the word “dedicate” is repeated more than any other non-function word in his speech. This sentence is the apex of the Address because Lincoln indirectly compares his audience to the honored dead. Lincoln uses the word “dedicate” to make this comparison. This is important because it serves as a call-to-arms for Lincoln’s speech, and therefore, the purpose of the speech. The comparing and contrasting of the honored dead to the audience throughout the speech further Lincoln’s belief that the nation can overcome its trial through increased dedication, as the honored dead had overcome theirs. By illustrating that the honored dead were the pinnacle of dedication, Lincoln shows the audience that in increased dedication, they, too, can overcome what they might have thought impossible.

The civil war is popularly believed to be the test of whether the United States would long endure. Having endured terrible losses on both fronts, nationalism started to wane at the time Lincoln gave his Address; he explains the legitimacy of the war by comparing it to a test. Lincoln puts his speech in historical context explaining that “now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure” and wishfully states at the end of his speech that “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom … [and] shall not perish from the earth." Lincoln compares the civil war to a test. To convince his audience of the legitimacy of the war, Lincoln uses words with emotionally charged connotations such as: conceive, birth, consecrate, hallow, and perish. Lincoln uses positive words like conceive, birth, consecrate, and hallow to articulate what he wants as a result of the war. He also uses those words to further honor the dead he came to respect. He uses negatively charged words akin to “perish” to illustrate what the nation is trying to avoid. The use of the word “perish” personifies the nation in order to restore a positive national attitude in his audience. By comparing the civil war to a test, Lincoln recommends that the best solution to the test is an increased devotion, which is not only applicable to the nation’s life, but to anyone’s.

Lincoln’s true fear is the death of not only more soldiers, but of the whole United States, which he believes would come to fruition if the south were to win. While Gettysburg was a Union victory, they still retained heavy losses; Lincoln uses the dedication to restore national confidence, and creatively does this by drawing a connection between the fallen soldiers and his audience. In order to honor the dead, Lincoln does not credit them with words alone; he instead tells his audience that the dead had already honored themselves. When Lincoln arrives at the part of his speech where he should honor the dead, instead of honoring them, he instead explains that “the brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract." Lincoln uses many words to bring emotion into his speech for example, “consecrate,” “hallow,” and “dedicate.” Out of context, one would assume these words would be used for an occasion of joy. Instead, his use of those words is grim, which brings a somber mood to the speech. This somber, yet joyous mood has a twofold purpose – to acknowledge the gloom the war has created, and to let his audience take away a new devotion to themselves and to their country. Lincoln also uses this sentence to effectively shelf talking about the dead to focus on increasing the devotion of his audience. Moreover, by speaking so highly of the honored dead, he forces his audience to compare themselves to the honored dead in order to increase commitment and make sure that the honored dead “shall not have died in vain." By speaking highly of the dead soldiers, and illustrating that they persevered through even death itself, Lincoln increases the resolve of his audience by showing that they might overcome hardships through perseverance, too.
The purpose of “The Gettysburg Address” was to restore confidence in a disillusioned American people by Lincoln’s strong choice of diction and writing style, but his words are not confined to the civil war, rather, he was speaking through the ages that through increased dedication, one can overcome many of life’s trials. It is both fitting and proper that at a dedication Lincoln speaks about just that – dedication. He talks about overarching themes of humanity such as tests, death, and perseverance to honor the dead, as well as to increase the resolve of his audience. This audience is not confined to the people that listened to Lincoln the day he gave his speech at Gettysburg, or even the nineteenth century. Rather, the audience is everyone who has trials and tribulation in their lives. This personable appeal makes “The Gettysburg Address” unique, and has the ability to inspire increased resolve in many, no matter the time or place. Lincoln truly is speaking through the ages.

I just found out that I reached the five-year benchmark on Gamespot. I am lucky to have met so many kind individuals. I am also happy to have a place I can go to for gaming news and reviews. Thanks Gamespot for a great five years of gaming and here's to five more! :D

            Ive betrayed no one, Ive simply come to my senses, Kain Highwind mutters as he turns on his so-called ally and rejoins the protagonists, stabbing their opponent in the back. This shocking moment, among the many plot twists in the middle of Final Fantasy IVs story, is conveyed through only dialog. Although released in 1991, Final Fantasy IV still captivates players through its storytelling which has redefined adventures through the medium of video games. Final Fantasy IVs story elegantly combines both traditional and revolutionary elements. Because Final Fantasy IVs story is replete with well-developed characters, revolutionary presentation methods, and memorable moments, it should be compared to the quality of novels and well thought out screenplays.

            Final Fantasy IVs story includes well-developed characters. Cecil Harvey, the storys main protagonist, starts the game as the eminent, feared and respected Dark Knight, the commander of the Red Wings of Baron. After a mission to the city of Myssidia to recover (or steal) the water crystal, Cecil doesnt come home to cheers and praise, but rather to the stripping of his position as the commander of the Red Wings by the king of Baron. The king tells Cecil he will consider giving back Cecils position if Cecil goes on a certain mission to simply bring a ring to a village. Unbeknownst to Cecil, upon the rings delivery the ring causes genocide of all of the people in the village, save one. Struck with anguish, he leaves Baron and journeys with the sole survivor of the village. Later on in the story, he decides he must ascend Mt. Ordeals to better protect his friends. When he reaches the peak, a mysterious voice comes out of nowhere telling him firmly, Bid farewell to your bloodstained past. Cecil then drops the title of Dark Knight and becomes a Paladin, which changes his armor from bulky and black to graceful and white, which alters him forever. Another well developed character is Cecils best friend, Kain, the games Shadow, a traditional archetype in storytelling. He starts out the game as the unwavering leader of the Dragoons of Baron. After Cecil leaves on his journey, the antagonist, Golbez, controls Kains mind and commands him to go after Cecil and his friends, who interfere with Golbezs agenda. Throughout the course of the game, none of the characters have any idea where his loyalty stands. The player doesnt even know. The characters and the player also dont know if Golbez is using Kain or if Kain is using the pretext Golbez is manipulating him. Final Fantasy IVs characters are among the first ever in a video game to be this developed, thus revolutionizing games characters for the next twenty years.

            Final Fantasy IVs presentation follows suit to its characters; it possesses a variety of attributes, which set the standard for games to come. The storys perspective has completely unique attributes to it. No avid reader that has read a book has read a story in the perspective Final Fantasy IV gives its readers or in this case, its players. The story's perspective has uniqueness to it. Instead of they as in only the characters in the game, the story's perspective includes the player. This would make the games perspective we. The player has an investment in the story and the characters well-being more so then any reader enjoying a book would be invested. The players care more because of the fact they control the characters as they travel on their quest. Along with perspective, Final Fantasy IVs story also does an amazing job at keeping the story focused. With the grandness of the game (a thirty hour story), it would be easy for the story's path to go astray. It keeps the main story consistently going, along with some subplots at the same time. A great example would be with the character Edge. Edge, the prince of Eblan, wants to avenge his mother and father and the main characters agree to aid him with his vengeance. Rather than dropping the story to pursue Edges vengeance, the characters have dialogue for the subplot as well as for the main story. The subplot may even give hints as to the explanation of certain critical events in the main story. These revolutionary techniques helped set the standard for stories through the new medium of video games as color influenced modern-day film.

            Final Fantasy IV definitely wasnt the first video game; however, neither was The Wizard of Oz the first film, but like The Wizard of Oz, Final Fantasy IVs story possesses a plethora of moments which have worked their way into the memories of many. The archetype jester has representation in the game as two characters, a brother and sister named Palom and Porom. The novice ten-year-old learners study black magic and white magic respectively. After walking into a trap, the walls in a lengthy hallway start closing in on all of the heroes. When the situation seems hopeless, they say their goodbyes, and they turn themselves to stone, stopping the walls and saving the rest of the heroes lives. The drama of Palom and Poroms sacrifice doesnt compare to the games most surprising and climactic moment. The stage has been set. Cecils destined fight against the antagonist Golbez arrives. After the dreadful and spectacular fight comes to a close, the story should be over or so the player thinks. The characters travel to the moon, and they meet the Lunarian, Fusoya, who reveals everything. He tells them the Lunarians, an advanced species (who look exactly like humans), have been vigilantly waiting for the human race to become less war-like. They agreed to put themselves to sleep on an artificial moon until the one day humans and Lunarians could live together in harmony. He informs them that Golbez was being controlled by the evil Lunarian, Zemus, who wants to kill all of the humans. Golbez and Kain had been previously manipulated because both of them felt unending rage deep within their hearts. The characters confront Zemus, only for him to be resurrected. A vision hits Cecil revealing that not only does he have half Lunarian blood, but Golbez does as well. In fact, a revelation also comes with the vision which tells Cecil that he and Golbez share the same parents. Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back contains a similar situation; the antagonist, Darth Vader, reveals himself to be the protagonists father. These moments have impacted players to the same degree as iconic movies and books have with their audiences.

            Final Fantasy IVs story compares to first-rate tales with its character, presentation, and unforgettable moments. Final Fantasy IVs story influenced emphasis on strong characters, as the story was the among the first video games to add such depth. Another distinctive attribute of the game is the innovative presentation. The story, made up of several heart-felt moments, focuses on the value of hope in times of darkness. Gamespot.com game reviewer, Greg Kasavin, distinguished Final Fantasy IVs story as the game which pioneered the whole concept of dramatic storytelling in an RPG.

---------

(I wrote this for my composition class last year. Even one year later, I think it's a pretty good paper -- I got an A on it, of course. I wish I would've written something about how it's unfortunate how after FFIV, deep storytelling in videogames has seemingly been confined to RPGs. After Telltale's The Walking Dead, it would seem that deep storytelling outside of RPGs has had a rebirth. I hope this is the case, because I believe that the true potential of gaming as a medium for deep storytelling has yet to be fully realized. The potential is limitless.)

If I were to ask anyone who submitted a bracket for the All Time Greatest Game Hero what they remember most about it, it would probably be Bub and Bob beating out Master Chief. I am willing to bet EVERYONE (except for a very very marginal group of people) would have expected Master Chief to beat Bub and Bob, two characters I am willing most people don't even recognize! I know I didn't. And some would have expected Master Chief to win the whole thing! But I digress.

Now, with the dawn of a new bracket based contest on Gamespot, All Time Greatest Game Villain, the madness is sure to continue. What can we expect... no one knows.

Personally, I think that there are some pretty great villains, I can't single out a single villain who I think will make it all the way. These aren't just great villains from video games, but some great villains in general! Who can choose between the halarity of Portals' GLaDOS, the simpleness of Pac Mans' Ghosts, the insanity of the Joker or the steriotypicalness (not quite sure if that's a word) of Star Wars' Darth Vader. I could name more, but I'm pretty sure you get the picture.

So let the blood bath commence! So go do something productive!! Go submit your bracket right now, or Darth Vader will force choke you...you were warned...

If you haven't seen the Nintendo press conference - you probably missed the "winner" of E3. They brought their flippn A++ game. I haven't seen E3 like that sense 2006!

They announced some super huge stuff like...

Golden Sun

Zelda Skyward Sword

Kirby Yarn

Donkey Kong Country!

Golden Eye

Metroid other m

3DS

and many others!

It was absolutely amazing.

So today I decided I was going to get Gamespot Fuse, just because a lot of others were doing it and I decided why not!? Even though I don't own WOW - World of Warcraft for those of you that have a life :D - I was just kidding for those of you that do play WOW. Also I don't even have Xbox live. So for those of you that have a wii then I recomend getting Gamespot Fust anyway! If you have Xbox Live or PSN than you probably already should have it.

There are a lot of awesome features also!

- you get a cool signature

- It organizes your achievements (emblems) very nicely

- Shows what you've been playing.

If you don't want anything like that, it only takes 30 seconds. That's like only 1/4th of a Mario Kart race... speaking of which I think I'll go play now.

-Remember to watch out for blue shells and soft tacos!-

E3 was a blast, first of all! I skipped doing this blog 'cause I was watching E3...as I'm thinking you were! Mr. Iwatta said something almost word for word in the E3 press conference that was in my last blog!:D I finally got my1000th post on GS! I know it doesn't sound like anything big, but it is when u get 1/9th of your total posts in two days:P!

Part one of my two part series is going to be about hardcore gamers. Most hardcore gamers that I've met have around two things they like about games; they are either too easy, or they don't have a long enough single player mode. That's there main criteria for if they like a game or not (although graphics are also included).

So you can probably imagine what games are being excluded from even being THOUGHT of being bought by hardcore gamers. Sure a great few of the games are excluding aren't really good. But think about this, would you have bought wii Sports if it wasn't bundled with the wii? It doesn't have ANY single player mode (unless you consider single game mode single player). It is also not vary difficult, so why would you bother even buying it if it was a stand alone game?

But there is a third thing I like (and you do too) that hardcore gamers in my area overlook; fun. If a game has a long single player mode, but isn't fun, why would somebody buy it? Also games that need 4 players to fully enjoy need FRIENDS for you to have a fun time; ENVITE SOME FRIENDS OVER!!!

Sure lots of people that are critiquing Nintendo because they are making very easy games, with medium length story modes. But if you need around 4 players to have the most fun in a game; at least 1-2 of your friends that you invite over AREN'T hardcore gamers!!! So if they can just go over to your house, knowing that they can still play, and not just watch, than EVERYONE has fun! So Nintendo is living to its legacy, just not in the preferred way we would want it. I'm sorry if I didn't mention Microsoft or Sony in this blog, it is just 'cause I can't fit it all in one blog!!!

Wow!!! I'm defiantly getting better at this blogging thing!!! :D

Yay! Its my first birthday of me being on Gamespot! I can't believe it's been a year! I've spent most of the first part of my vacation catching up on games. I'm waiting very impatiently for E3, which I hope that my parents will let me watch instead of going to summer school. :|

Not very recently Phantom Hourglass's sequel, Spirit Tracks was announced, which in itself is a big deal to Zelda fans and any video game fans, as I believe anyone would imagine. But I wasn't very excited about the news. I looked at the preview and said, "Trains in Zelda? What Zelda game is that?" I certainly haven't played the game (I wish I could!:D) But I know that it isn't going to beat my favorite Zelda game (Majora's Mask).

I will still buy Spirit Tracks though, don't get me wrong. Even though Nintendo has already announced a new Zelda game, I am still wishing for a new wii Zelda. If it has more music then Twilight Princess, I'm pretty sure it will do really well. ;)

The remakes of the classic Nintendo games should stop soon. Or it should be released mixed in with some new games. I don't have a problem with Metroid Trilogy or Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver, I will definitely buy them, but our world revolves around the new things. I know the new version of Nintendo "gamers" that just have a wii because it's a status symbol haven't played these games before, as I hope they will! We all have to be newbies sometime! I'm no longer a newbie to Gamespot sense I've been here for a year! :D

This week, I am worrying that it might be the last week that Nintendo will be like it was. Or it could be the same and come out with something new, groundbreaking and mainly fun. But they probably think (like I do) that spending 20 years trying to be like the past and not like the future is a very horrible plan.

Last year, many people were disappointed with E3. I was very disappointed:(. But I kept thinking that they are just putting fillers in for an awesome next year, just like 2006 when they announced the wii, Metroid Prime 3 corruption, Super Mario Galaxy, and Twilight princess being on the wii. I supported Nintendo with the disappointing E3 last year. If they have one that isn't 3 times better then the last one, I'm pretty sure the rest of the hardcore Nintendo fans will follow suit.

Wow...that was a super good blog I can't believe that was me that just wrote that! I hope all the rest of my blogs this summer are this good! Link9n17 is back for the summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, I would like to tell you that I haven't bloged in a month because I have had major things to do over all of the weekends! I had a campout, went to Chicago...relax. Also, my series that I've been doing will be on hold one more blog because of my...

*:D 50th BLOG SPAKTACULAAR:D*

More to the point I haven't bloged in a while...sorry:|

Ok, I am still split on if I should get the DSi or not. Please tell me if I really want it. I have kept my original DS that I've had for 3 years in tip to shape, so I don't NEED IT....like some people I know.... But the things I like (pros)are downloading games online, I can't wait for really cool games!The internet, just so I can see my yahoo mail, nothing special. The slimmer size (anything size is better then my DS) But not as small as the DSlite:). The cameras too, their awesome! I read on an Iwata asksthat they could've made the quality of the photos really good, but it takes more storage space; and they were leaning more for lots of pictures to have fun with (with your friends), then a serious camera.

The bad things about it (cons) is I don't like any of the colors (I would want it to match my wii). I only have 175 dollars, so once I buy it I'm out...no wii sports resort or Zelda Spirit Tracks which will be in my *:D50th BLOG SPAKTACULAAR:D* I also need a new case, one I like, which will be really hard, I also need screen protectors because I'm a little obsesive compulsive. Last, no GBA port = no importing to Pokemon Platinum (which I love). Not being able to get the older Pokemon might also lead to a wii game that might let you...I'm crossin everything I got!

PLEASE COMMENT ABOUT WHAT I SHOULD DO!