COMM 250 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Quintilian, Isocrates, Dramatism
30 Apr 2018
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Module 8: Classical Rhetorical Theory
2 Major Periods
• Classical rhetorical theories
o Aristotle, Cicero, Plato
o Quintilian, Isocrates
• Contemporary rhetorical theories
o Dramatism (Burke)
o Narrative Paradigm (Fisher)
o Constitutive Rhetoric (Charland)
Brief History of Classical Theory
• Debate over whether good speaking could be taught or was an innate talent
• Aristotle said it could be taught, and wrote a public speaking textbook: The Rhetoric
o Theories of persuasion are still used today
Classical Theory: Definition of Rhetoric
• Aristotle: "The faculty [ability] of observing in any given case the available means of
persuasion'
• Context matters: Teaching everyday citizens to participate in public discourse
Types of Speeches
• Forensic
o Accusation and defense, used in courts
o Deals with the past
• Epideictic
o Ceremonial speeches of praise and blame, given at community events
• Ex: wedding toast
o Deals with the present
• Deliberative
o What should/shouldn't be done, used in politics
• Ex: campaign speeches
o Deals with the future
Things Speeches Can Do
• Inform
• Persuade
• Entertain
• Most scholarship focuses on persuasion
The Rhetorical Canon
• 5-Part process of putting a good speech together
o Invention: discovering (thinking of) all the available means of persuasion
o Arrangement: organizing the components effectively
o Style: expression, flair
o Delivery: voice, nonverbals, etc.
o Memory: strategies for learning the speech
Persuasion: Assumptions
• Good persuasion should find the best way to influence the audience
• Speakers design their messages to achieve their goals
• Persuasion can be learned and following rules will help
• Effective speakers use a variety of proofs (how we convince people) as evidence
Types of Proofs
• Inartistic
o "It is known"
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