Question

Prompt: You have just read “General Eisenhower’s Order of the Day” by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. What message did Eisenhower want to convey to the troops? What literary devices did he use to do so? Use text evidence to support your response. In your response, make sure to: Explain the evidence without directly repeating it. Use your reasoning to connect the evidence to the paragraph’s claim. Also, make sure to incorporate relevant unit vocabulary in your writing.

Answer 1

In "General Eisenhower's Order of the Day," General Dwight D. Eisenhower aimed to convey a message of unity, determination, and sacrifice to the troops. He wanted to instill a sense of duty and courage in them as they faced the challenges of war. Eisenhower utilized various literary devices to deliver his message effectively. One such device is repetition, as he repeated phrases like "full victory" and "we will accept nothing less" to emphasize the importance of achieving success in their mission. By repeating these phrases, Eisenhower highlighted the significance of the task ahead and motivated the soldiers to give their all.

Additionally, Eisenhower used imagery to create a vivid picture of the battlefield and the stakes involved in the war. He described the enemy as "merciless" and their cause as being "just and noble." By painting this picture, Eisenhower appealed to the soldiers' sense of honor and duty, urging them to fight fiercely for their country. This use of imagery helped to evoke strong emotions and rally the troops behind their cause.

Moreover, Eisenhower employed rhetorical questions in his order to engage the soldiers and prompt them to reflect on their commitment to the mission. He asked, "What will the outcome be?" and "How long will the war last?" to make the soldiers consider the gravity of the situation and the sacrifices required of them. These questions served to make the troops think about the future and the role they played in shaping it, encouraging them to persevere despite the challenges they faced.

Overall, General Eisenhower's use of repetition, imagery, and rhetorical questions effectively conveyed his message of unity, determination, and sacrifice to the troops. Through these literary devices, he inspired the soldiers to fight bravely and never waver in their pursuit of victory.