1. The History of Rhetoric ENG4U1

2. What is Rhetoric? Rhetoric is the study of the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing Origin: Greek

3. Another Definition for Rhetoric… Rhetoric is persuasive language that is empty or insincere

4. Are these definitions in opposition?

5. 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

6. 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

7. The Origins of Rhetoric Corax of Syracuse in 5 th Century B.C.E.: Corax is believed to have written the first Greek treatise on rhetoric First implemented as an “oral” strategy Designed as a strategy to help individuals regain confiscated property after warfare Evolved into a formal means with which to discover knowledge and truth

8. Read “Rhetoric and the story of Corax vs. Tisias”

9. "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

10. 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

11. Philosophy and Rhetoric Rhetoric was practiced by the major Greek philosophers, including Plato and Socrates Aristotle wrote Rhetoric in 333 B.C.E. Based on principles of logic and ethics

12. 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

13. Basic Rhetorical Structure Select a topic, develop a thesis, choose a persuasive strategy Appeal to: Logos (reason) Pathos (emotion) Ethos (character)

14. 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

15. Three “canons” of rhetoric: Discovery of Arguments Arrangement of Materials Considerations of Style

16. 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

17. 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

18. Rhetoric and You Because rhetoric is the art of effective communication, its principles can be applied to many facets of your everyday life We use rhetoric in letter writing and emails, employment interviews, and in conversation Traditional principles of rhetoric can help you present yourself logically and ethically and protect yourself from the illogical and the unethical