Difference between revisions of "Rhetoric"
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|bgcolor=#B9EEFF|Topic | |bgcolor=#B9EEFF|Topic | ||
|bgcolor=#efefef|Honour/Dishonour | |bgcolor=#efefef|Honour/Dishonour | ||
| − | |bgcolor=#efefef| | + | |bgcolor=#efefef|Advantage/Detriment |
|bgcolor=#efefef|Justice/Injustice | |bgcolor=#efefef|Justice/Injustice | ||
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|bgcolor=#B9EEFF|Example | |bgcolor=#B9EEFF|Example | ||
| − | |bgcolor=#efefef|Praise, libel, gratulatory texts, ode etc. | + | |bgcolor=#efefef|Praise (panegyric), libel, gratulatory texts, ode etc. |
|bgcolor=#efefef|Political speech, didactical purposes, sermon | |bgcolor=#efefef|Political speech, didactical purposes, sermon | ||
|bgcolor=#efefef|Speech at court, pamphlet, satire, apology | |bgcolor=#efefef|Speech at court, pamphlet, satire, apology | ||
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==How to learn Rhetoric== | ==How to learn Rhetoric== | ||
How to acquire the methods of rhetoric? | How to acquire the methods of rhetoric? | ||
Revision as of 12:50, 15 May 2007
A body of rules which serve in order to produce texts ‘according to the rules of art’
(either written or spoken)
Purpose of Rhetoric
The purpose of rhetoric is to persuade: intellectually (docere) and emotionally (delectare, movere).
- DOCERE: using LOGOS (appeal to reason)
- DELECTARE: using ETHOS (appeal to character)
- MOVERE: using PATHOS (appeal to emotion)
Structure
A speech, according to the classical pattern, has four parts:
- EXORDIUM (prooimion, introduction, Einleitung)
- NARRATIO (diegesis, narration, Erzählung)
- ARGUMENTATIO (pistis, argument, Beweis)
- PERORATIO (epilogos, conclusion, Schluß)
Stylistic Levels
(Note: one may find different stylistic levels in the same text, their use depends on the desired effect)
- GENUS HUMILE: low style, plain style, close to everyday speech, possibly even colloquial. Characteristics: simple, mainly conventional usage, little ‘ornament’, few figures of speech
- GENUS MEDIUM or MIXTUM: middle or mixed style, often used in learned dissertations, designed to “delight” rather than “move” the audience; tends to be used in (some) poetry, in comedy etc. Characteristics: ample use of tropes, embellishments,
- GENUS GRANDE or GRAVE or SUBLIME: high or sublime style, solemn, emphatic, passionate, designed to move the audience, tends to be used in tragedies, eulogies, heroic epics etc. Characteristics: complex syntax, unconventional word order, unconventional figures of speech, rhythmicized language
Traditional Steps for Preparing a Speech
5 partes artis:
- INVENTIO: (heuresis, invention, Erfindung)
- a mnemonic verse from the 16th century:
- Who, what and where, by what help, and by whose:
- Why, how, and when, do many things disclose
- a mnemonic verse from the 16th century:
- DISPOSITIO (taxis, arrangement, Anordnung): arrangement (cf. above ‘structure’)
- ELOCUTIO (lexis, style, Stil)
- MEMORIA (mneme, memorizing, Gedächtnis)
- ACTIO or PRONUNTIATIO (hypokrisis, execution, Vortrag)
Genres of Speeches
| Genus demonstrativum | Genus deliberativum | Genus iudiciale | |
| Topic | Honour/Dishonour | Advantage/Detriment | Justice/Injustice |
| Function | Praise/Reprimand | Admonition/Warning | Accusation/Defence |
| Temporal Reference | Present | Future | Past |
| Example | Praise (panegyric), libel, gratulatory texts, ode etc. | Political speech, didactical purposes, sermon | Speech at court, pamphlet, satire, apology |
How to learn Rhetoric
How to acquire the methods of rhetoric?
- ARS: command of rhetorical techniques
- IMITATIO: imitation of exemplary models
- EXERCITATIO: practice
