Rhetoric
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Revision as of 10:44, 9 May 2007 by Olaf Simons (Talk | contribs)
A body of rules to produce an artistic text, written or spoken
Genres of Rhetoric
| Genus demonstrativum | Genus deliberativum | Genus iudiciale | |
| Topic | Honour/Dishonour | Use/Detriment | Justice/Injustice |
| Function | Praise/Reprimand | Admonition/Warning | Accusation/Defence |
| Temporal Reference | Present | Future | Past |
| Example | Praise, libel, gratulatory texts, ode etc. | Political speech, didactical purposes, sermon | Speech at court, pamphlet, satire, apology |
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 charactern)
- MOVERE: using PATHOS (appeal to emotion)
Levels of Speech
- GENUS HUMILE or SUBTILE: plain style, close to colloquial speech, used in sermons, comedy etc.
- GENUS MEDIUM or MIXTUM: middle or mixed style, used in learned dissertations etc.
- GENUS GRANDE or SUBLIME: high or sublime style, poetic language, designed to move the audience, used in tragedies, eulogies, heroic epics etc.
How to learn Rhetoric
How to acquire the methods of rhetoric?
- ARS: command of rhetoric techniques
- IMITATIO: imitation of exemplary models
- EXERCITATIO: practice
Traditional Steps of Preparing a Speech
5 partes artis:
- INVENTIO: invention
- DISPOSITIO: arrangement
- ELOCUTIO: style
- MEMORIA: commemoration
- ACTIO: execution
