EVERYDAY USE CH. 2 – 5 CANONS OF RHETORIC

The 5 canons of rhetoric are: Inventions Arrangement Style Delivery Memories

Canon #1 – Invention – the art of finding and developing material Systematic Approach – The Journalist’s Questions: Who, what, when, where, why how? Systematic Approach – The Enthymeme: the more subtle argument – its starting point may be an assumption, a statement, or a proposition that the writer presumes the audience accepts and that the writer can build an argument upon

Syllogism – has an irrefutable general truth for its major premise - has three parts: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. The major premise is always some irrefutable generalization about the world The minor premise is always some particular statement that falls under the general category The conclusion is always the statement that follows from the major premise and the minor premise

If a major or minor premise is not true Example: Major premise: Women are wise / Minor premise: Kate is a woman / Conclusion: Therefore, Kate is wise. then the syllogism is fallacious. But what is important to recognize is that the syllogism, though fallacious, still seems logical. Logic itself is a system that can use reason to its own advantage. As a student, you may be surprised to discover that logic does not equal truth or reality! With a partner, read pages 42-45 in Everyday Use. Then break down question #1 on page 46 into an enthymeme and then say if it is a faulty or logical syllogism.

Answers: Major premise: (unstated) People should not drive SUVs, or companies should not make SUVs / Minor premise: SUVs emit 7.5 items more air pollution, use more gas, and “slide over cars” bumpers and sturdy door sills, slamming into passenger compartments” of smaller vehicles / Conclusion: SUVs are “the world’s most dangerous vehicle.”

Enthymeme (this is the more subtle argument) Claim + Reason Some are self evident: “ We’d better cancel the picnic this afternoon because the weather bureau is predicting a 70 percent chance of rain fro the remainder of the day”

Some aren’t: “It’s time to make all public toilets unisex because to do otherwise is discriminatory” How would you draw out this statement to be more conclusive?

Canon #2: Arrangement How and where to place ideas, facts, and examples to make them most effective Genre – as has been discussed, find the best vehicle Functional Parts – think SOAPSTONE questions

#3: Style Schemes – any artful variation from the typical arrangement of words in a sentence Tropes – any artful variation from the typical or expected way a word or idea is expressed STUDY HANDOUT!!!

In addition to schemes and tropes, there are also other issues with Style Are You and I ok? In formal papers, no If you are asked to give a personal response, then it would be ok

Style and Contractions In formal, academic papers, and in business-oriented letters and reports, you should try to avoid contractions. In informal papers and personal letters, feel free to use the same kinds of words, including contractions, that you would speak if you were face to face with your audience

Active/Passive Voice You are encouraged to write in the active voice as much as possible Active Voice: DOER ACTION RECEIVER The lab technician filtered the solution Passive Voice: RECEIVER ACTION (BY DOER) The solution was filtered (by the lab technician)

Parallelism Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or." Words and Phrases

With the -ing form (gerund) of words: Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling. With infinitive phrases: Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle. OR Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle. (Note: You can use "to" before all the verbs in a sentence or only before the first one.)

Do not mix forms. Example 1 Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.

Example 2 Not Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner. Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

Example 3 Not Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was low. Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.

Clauses A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. Changing to another pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice versa) will break the parallelism. Example 1 Not Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game. Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game. — or — Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game.

Example 2 Not Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers. (passive) Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions.

Lists After a Colon Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form. Example 1 Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs. Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

Canon #4: Memory Memorizing your speech

Canon #5: Delivery Of course traditionally this meant how the speech was delivered. Nowadays, whereas that is still important, we now look at the visual delivery of a piece. Electronic or print format? Photographs or other images to accompany text? Cover? Font size? Style? Bullets or numbered lists? Etc. Granted, with MLA, there isn’t much to delivery, but there will be times when you change it up