Rhetoric Companion

Rhetoric! Does the very word strike fear, confusion, or disinterest? It's really much more than "effective communication," although that would be the modern so-called equivalent. But classical rhetoric refers to thinking skills and an understanding of classical literature as much as it does to speaking skills. This course offers students the opportunity to gain a solid grasp of what rhetoric is and how to master the art. There are 31 lessons (3-7 pgs each) which teach each aspect of classical rhetoric, giving examples and providing diagnostic questions. Sidebar quotes from classical works on rhetoric illustrate and augment the lesson. Passages from these classical works are listed as suggested reading assignments. A writing exercise and review questions conclude each lesson. Two questions permeate all of the lessons: 1) How does classical rhetoric intersect with Christian faith? 2) What does classical rhetoric mean in the modern world? Students can use this book in two ways either as a stand alone course used over one semester or as a companion to historic rhetoric texts for a full year's course. This course will especially be appreciated by students pursuing a Classical Education or, maybe more so, by ones who did not. I would recommend using this before your first college-level course. 157 pgs. pb ~ Janice For the Christian student of rhetoric, manipulative sophistry is clearly out of bounds. But putting careful thought into what constitutes eloquent speech and persuasive argumentation is not. What many people dismiss as "a bunch of rhetoric" is simply poor rhetoric. There is a Christian approach of memorable and effective expression, and it is the task of this book to lay out that approach.Arranged in 31 lively and practical lessons, The Rhetoric Companion covers the following material and more: A critical appreciation of the essential ancient rhetoric texts The Pauline view of presentation and persuasion How to develop copiousness and leave an audience wanting more The concept of "stasis theory" and how to grasp the crux of an argument How successful proof obligates an audience to believe Composition exercises with each lesson Suggested reading material for each lesson from Artistotle's Rhetoric, the Rhetorica Ad Herennium, or Quintilian's Institutio Oratoria