Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student

Widely used in advanced composition and writing courses, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student discusses the three vital components of classical rhetoric--argument, arrangement, and style--bringing these elements to life and demonstrating their effective use in yesterday's and today's writing. Presenting its subject in five parts, the text provides grounding in the elements and applications of classical rhetoric; the strategies and tactics of argumentation; the effective presentation and organization of discourses; the development of power, grace, and felicity in expression; and the history of rhetorical principles. Numerous examples of classic and contemporary rhetoric, from paragraphs to complete essays, appear throughout the book, many followed by detailed analyses. The fourth edition of Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student features a new section on the Progymnasmata (classical composition exercises), a new analysis of a color advertisement in the Introduction, an updated survey of the history of rhetoric, and an updated section on "External Aids to Invention."

Table of Contents:
Preface I. INTRODUCTION Rhetorical Analysis of a Magazine Ad Homer, " The Envoys Plead with Achilles" Analysis of "The Envoys Plead with Achilles" A Brief Explanation of Classical Rhetoric The Five Canons of Rhetoric The Three Kinds of Persuasive Discourse The Relevance and Importance of Rhetoric for Our Times II. DISCOVERY OF ARGUMENTS Formulating a Thesis The Three Modes of Persuasion The Appeal to Reason Principles of Definition Other Methods of Definition The Syllogism The Enthymeme The Example The Fallacies The Ethical Appeal The Emotional Appeal The Topics The Common Topics Special Topics Manuel Bilsky, McCrea Hazlett, Robert E. Streeter, and Richard M. Weaver: "Looking for an Argument" Richard L. Larson: "A Plan for Teaching Rhetorical Invention" External Aids to Invention Biography Books of Quotations and Concordances Biblical Concordances Indexes to Periodicals Other Periodical Indexes Handbooks Dictionaries Other Specialized Dictionaries Bibliographies Some Bibliographical Guides to Various Disciplines Annual Bibliographies Syntopicon An Illustration of the Use of the Search Strategy Readings Rachel Carson: "The Obligation to Endure" Topical Analysis of Rachel Carson's "The Obligation to Endure" Socrates' Apology Analysis of the Topics in "Socrates' Apology" Obituary for Katharine Sergeant White An Analysis of the Topics in Katherine Sergeant White's Obituary James Madison: "The Federalist, No. 10" Mark Ashin: "The Argument of Madison's 'Federalist, #10'" Edmund Burke: "Letter to a Noble Lord" Thomas Henry Huxley: "Science and Culture" Matthew Arnold: "Literature and Science" III. ARRANGEMENT OF MATERIAL The Parts of a Discourse Introduction Statement of Fact Confirmation Refutation Conclusion Concluding Remarks on Arrangement Readings Thomas A. Sancton, "Planet of the Year" Analysis of the Arrangement in Thomas A. Sancton's "Planet of the Year" Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Letter from Birmingham Jail" Analysis of the Arrangements of "Letter from Birmingham Jail" Henry David Thoreau: "Civil Disobedience" IV. STYLE Grammatical Competence Choice of Diction An Adequate Vocabulary Purity, Propriety, and Precision of Diction Composition of the Sentence Study of Style Kind of Diction Length of Sentences Kinds of Sentences Variety of Sentence Patterns Sentence Euphony Articulation of Sentences Figures of Speech Paragraphing A Student Report on a Study of Style Figures of Speech The Schemes The Tropes Concluding Remarks on the Figures of Speech Imitation Testimonies about the Value of Imitation Rollo Walter Brown: "How the French Boy Learns to Write Exercises in Imitation Readings Hugh Blair: "Critical Examination of the Style of Mr. Addison in No. 411 of The Spectator John F. Kennedy: "Inaugural Address" The Editors of The New Yorker: "John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address" Analysis of the Style of John F. Kennedy's "Inaugural Address" A Paragraph by Virginia Woolf to be Analyzed for Style An Analysis of the Style of the Paragraph by Virginia Woolf Analysis of Style as Persuasion in the "Letter from Birmingham Jail by Richard P. Fulkerson V. THE PROGYMNASMATA A Sequence of Assignments VI. A SURVEY OF RHETORIC Classical Rhetorics Rhetoric During the Middle Ages Some Continental Rhetoricians English Vernacular Rhetorics of the Sixteenth Century English Rhetorics of the Seventeenth Century English Rhetorics of the Eighteenth Century Rhetoric in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Bibliography Index

Review :
"A definitive, highly usable, rigorous text--I have used it with great success for many years. The new material in the 4th edition is marvelous. Exactly the kind of work needed to prepare teachers."--Mitzi Brunsdale, Mayville State University "An indispensable and lucid guide to rhetoric that will make students proficient writers and acute interpreters of texts ranging from contemporary advertisements to Homer."--Corinne E. Blackmen, Southern Connecticut State University "Interesting and well written. I particularly like the selected readings by Homer, Socrates, Madison, Thoreau, and the others. A very comprehensive study."--Wendy Stackable, Covenant Christian Academy Praise for the previous edition (1st 3 quotes): "Remains the single best, most comprehensive, most readable, most useful, most usable text for both introductory and advanced classes in rhetoric/composition."--Vivian Thomlinson, Cameron University "A classic in the field of composition studies, a work that has shaped the disciplone. Sorts out the often confusing writings of classical rhetoric and shows how the ancient art can help contemporary students negotiate the realm of persuasive discourse."--Gary Layne Hatch, Brigham Young University "The definitive rhetorical handbook for contemporary students."--William Sewell, Southwest Missouri State University "My students appreciate the clear and complete explanations of rhetorical principles in this text."--Jody D. Brown, Ferrum College "An excellent text for Advanced Composition and Rhetoric because it allows you to pace the course according to the level of your classes."--Mark Craver, George Mason University