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