The History of Rhetoric
ENG4U1
What is Rhetoric?
Rhetoric is the study of the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing
Origin: Greek
Another Definition for Rhetoric…
Rhetoric is persuasive language that is empty or insincere
Are these definitions in opposition?
Rhetoric is an “art”
Involves the use of language to produce a specific and desired impression on the hearer or reader
The object of rhetoric is persuasion, rather than “intellectual approval” or conviction
“Rhetorical” suggests that the content is subservient to the style How vs. What
Rhetoric is “artificial”
Involves the use of language which is showy, elaborate, and/or eloquent , but perhaps empty of clear ideas or sincere emotion
“Rhetoric” suggests negative connotations
The Origins of Rhetoric
Corax of Syracuse in 5th Century B.C.E.:
Corax is believed to have written the first Greek treatise on rhetoric First implemented as an “oral” strategyDesigned as a strategy to help individuals regain confiscated property after warfareEvolved into a formal means with which to discover knowledge and truth
Read “Rhetoric and the story of Corax vs. Tisias”
"KAKOU KORAKOS KAKON WON"
Translation:"From a bad crow, a bad egg."
"When a mischievous bird of prey lays an egg, the egg too is mischievous."
Verdict is a play on words:Corax means "crow"; Tisias means "eggs"
The case was, in effect, thrown out of court
Corruption of Rhetoric
A group of Athenian teachers placed emphasis on “win at all costs”, disregarding the values of ethics and truth
Group known as The Sophists
Term “rhetoric” gained negative connotations
Philosophy and Rhetoric
Rhetoric was practiced by the major Greek philosophers, including Plato and SocratesAristotle wrote Rhetoric in 333 B.C.E.
Based on principles of logic and ethics
Rhetoric in the Renaissance
Rhetoric became a model for written discourse in the Renaissance (Erasmus and others)Modern idea of using logic and ethics to persuade an audience to accept a “truth” stems from this
Basic Rhetorical Structure
Select a topic, develop a thesis, choose a persuasive strategy
Appeal to:Logos (reason)
Pathos (emotion)
Ethos (character)
Why Rhetoric Matters
Rhetoric is not just an “ancient Greek thing”
Alive and well in politics and entertainment
Exists in the words we read, write, and hear
Three “canons” of rhetoric:
Discovery of Arguments
Arrangement of Materials
Considerations of Style
Rhetoric and You
Students learn to:See how language is at work orally and in writing
Apply the resources of language in their own writing and speaking
Rhetoric and You
In your writing you will consider elements of style, including sentence structure and variety, diction, coherence, paragraphing, and figures of speech
Figures of speech include such rhetorical techniques as analogy, tropes (simile, metaphor, and personification), irony, hyperbole, oxymoron, paradox, and rhetorical questions
Rhetoric and You
Because rhetoric is the art of effective communication, its principles can be applied to many facets of your everyday lifeWe use rhetoric in letter writing and emails, employment interviews, and in conversationTraditional principles of rhetoric can help you present yourself logically and ethically and protect yourself from the illogical and the unethical