Rhetoric

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Aristotle viewed rhetoric and notes that an Aristotelian analysis of rhetoric was oriented more toward making a judgment about the rightness or wrongness of the rhetoric and the reasoning that went into developing the speech act itself. The paper looks at the three types of rhetoric Aristotle described as well as his explanation for the role and place of rhetoric in civic life. In addition, the paper discusses the link drawn by Aristotle between rhetoric and logic and examines how the ideas expressed by Aristotle helped shape ideas about rhetoric, politics, and law for generations.

From the Paper:

"Ciero would influence St. Augustine in the Middle Ages. Before converting to Christianity, Augustine was a teacher of rhetoric. Augustine's most important contribution was to revive interest in rhetoric within the new Christian tradition after the early Christians had foresworn rhetoric as a pagan art. St. Augustine embodied rhetorical concepts in his writings and teachings and argued that preachers needed to be able to teach, to delight, and to move, the same notions of the duties of the orator held by Cicero. Augustine said that to accomplish the aims of Christianity it was necessary to pay attention to the rules of effective expression. He also said that such rules were to be used only in service of the truth and so revitalized the philosophic basis of rhetoric (Bizzell & Herzberg, 1990, pp. 382-383). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aristotle. From Rhetoric. In P. Bizzell & B. Herzberg, The Rhetorical Tradition (Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martins, 1990), 155-194.
• Barnesl J. (2000). Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Bizzell, P. & B. Herzberg (1990). The Rhetorical Tradition. Boston: Bedford Books.
• Cicero, M.T. (1976). On the Commonwealth. New York: Macmillan.
• Kennedy, G.A. (1991). On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. New York: Oxford University Press.

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• Analytical Essay # 129480 : "Aristotle's Rhetoric in the Judicial Process"
• Analytical Essay # 117698 : "The Governor's Rhetoric"
• Research Paper # 95432 : "Truman's Rhetoric During the Cold War"

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