E-Book Overview
The History and Theory of Rhetoric offers an accessible discussion of the history of rhetorical studies in the Western tradition, from ancient Greece to contemporary American and European theorists. By tracing the historical progression of rhetoric from the Greek Sophists of the fifth century B.C. to contemporary studies - such as the rhetoric of science and feminist rhetoric - this book teaches what rhetoric is and what unites differing rhetorical theories throughout history. The History and Theory of Rhetoric uses concise contemporary examples throughout and emphasizes the relevance of rhetoric to today's readers. For anyone interested in Rhetorical Theory.
E-Book Content
Preface 1 xiii An Overview of Rhetoric Rhetoric and Persuasion Defining Rhetoric 1 3 5 Rhetorical Discourse 7 Rhetoric Is Planned 8 Rhetoric Is Adapted to an Audience Rhetoric Reveals Human Motives Rhetoric Is Responsive 11 Rhetoric Seeks Persuasion 12 8 10 Social Functions of the Art of Rhetoric 15 Rhetoric Tests Ideas 16 Rhetoric Assists Advocacy 17 Rhetoric Distributes Power 18 Rhetoric Discovers Facts 20 Rhetoric Shapes Knowledge 21 Rhetoric Builds Community 22 Conclusion 23 Questions for Review 25 Questions for Discussion Terms 2 26 28 The Origins and Early History of Rhetoric The Rise of Rhetoric in Ancient Greece The Sophists 32 34 What the Sophists Taught 34 Why the Sophists Were Controversial Three Influential Sophists Gorgias 39 Protagoras 42 Isocrates 43 39 36 31 CONTENTS CONTENTS Vi Conclusion 48 Questions for Discussion Terms Special Topics 85 Common Topics 85 Some Common Fallacies 47 Questions for Review 48 Aristotle on Style 49 Conclusion Plato versus the Sophists: Rhetoric on Trial Rhetoric on Trial 87 Rhetoric in Plato's Phaedras: A True Art? Tferms Conclusion 68 Questions for Review 4 69 69 Aristotle on Rhetoric 73 Rhetoric and Dialectic 74 75 Rhetoric as Techne Three Rhetorical Settings 78 Deliberative Oratory 79 Epideictic Oratory 80 81 Forensic Oratory The Artistic Proofs 89 54 5 Rhetoricat Rome 92 Roman Society and the Place of Rhetoric Rhetoric and Political Power 93 Rhetoric and Roman Education 94 The Rhetorical Theory of Cicero De Znventwne 96 Quintilian 72 Aristotle's Definitions of Rhetoric 88 95 The Canons of Rhetoric 97 Stasis and Topical Systems 98 Hennagoras and the Development of Topoi De Orators 101 The End of Cicero's Life 105 69 Questions for Discussion Terms 65 63 88 Questions for Discussion 54 The Debate with Gorgias: Rhetoric's Nature and Uses Socrates versus Polus: Rhetoric as Power 56 Socrates versus Callicles: Bad Actor, Bad Act 60 The Outcome of the Gorgius 61 Is Plato Fair to Rhetoric and the Sophists? 62 Components of a Techne of Rhetoric 53 86 86 Questions for Review Plato's Go-: 84 The Topoi, or Lines of Argument 45 Aspasia's Role in Athenian Rhetoric 81 Logos: The Logic of Sound Arguments 82 Pathos: The Psychology of Emotion 82 Ethos: The Sociology of Good Character 83 106 107 107 Rhetoric and the Good Citizen Educating the Citizen-Orator Longinus: On the Sublime 109 The Emotive Power of Langua