Speech

The thing about speeches is that you have an audience who can't read what you're saying—especially in the pre-PowerPoint days. That means, in order to do a good job, you have to keep the people in front of you interested and un-confused.

In other words, don't talk about too many different things, and throw in a few flowery or passionate motivational lines to keep the audience on your side.

Lincoln was really good at the whole speech thing. Unfortunately, no video or audio recording methods had been invented during his lifetime, but we can infer from his political success he must have been pretty decent. There is some evidence from the time of what he sounded like, but it's scant. (Source)

In the "House Divided" speech, Lincoln uses a few methods to keep his ideas organized for the listening audience. He focuses heavily on the same two events (Kansas-Nebraska legislation and the Dred Scott decision), and groups the main takeaways into groups of threes. His other main topic is Stephen Douglas and his failures, which are closely connected to what he's already talked about.

He bookends these points with the easily visualized metaphor of the house plus a note of hope. Too much doom and gloom will lose people's interest—Lincoln assures the audience that he doesn't believe the house will fall, that they can win the fight against the spread of slavery.

Take note for future public speaking requirements: end on a positive note. The crowd will love you.

How it Breaks Down

Introduction

Lincoln opens the speech with the famous idea of "a house divided against itself cannot stand," and applies it to the United States. We're all one big house, apparently.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act

Since the idea of popular sovereignty plays such a key role in the slavery debate, Lincoln reviews the legislation that put it into play and what happened as a result. Dude knows his legislation.

The Dred Scott Decision

The most recent major slavery-related event completely changed the way the expansion of slavery could be legislated. It was also a huge national talking point. Lincoln again reviews what happened in the case and its outcome.

How Dred Scott relates to Kansas-Nebraska

Part of Lincoln's anti-Douglas argument comes from the idea that the Dred Scott decision has rendered Douglas' policy impossible to implement. It certainly raised a lot of questions about how the regulation of slavery would go forward, and Lincoln puts the situation into the greater historical context.

The Problem with Popular Sovereignty

Lincoln wonders to what extent states will be able to retain control the existence of slavery within their borders.

Down with Douglas

Lincoln spends a couple o' paragraphs criticizing Douglas' stance and questioning his motives, ideas, and the implementation of his policies.

Conclusion

Ending on a more inspiration note, Lincoln confidently asserts that the tide can be turned in favor of America becoming entirely free. Put a spork in this speech, y'all—it's done.