Elements of Rhetoric: Comprising an Analysis of the Laws of Moral Evidence and of Persuasion, with Rules for Argumentative Composition and Elocution

by Richard Whately, Douglas Ehninger (Editor), David Potter (Foreword by)

Overview

Direct, comprehensive, well organized, simple in statement, Elements of Rhetoric is in all respects well fitted to fulfill its assigned role as a textbook. The remarks on practical problems and the examples and analogies confirm contemporary reports that Whately was himself a talented and stimulating teacher.

The modern field of speech was born near the beginning of the twentieth century, some seventy years after Whately wrote. But influential leaders in the new field endorsed Whately’s judgments, and courses and textbooks in public address have remained strongly influenced by his ideas. Whately’s views on a number of major questions in rhetoric have proved sound and fruitful during many decades of practice, and his book remains one of the most influential works on the subject.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780809386123
Publisher:	Southern Illinois University Press
Publication date:	03/19/2010
Series:	Landmarks in Rhetoric and Public Address
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	528
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

DouglasEhninger, a professor of speech at the University of Iowa, is a coauthor of The Speaker’s Resource Book and Decision by Debate.

Read an Excerpt

PART II. OF PERSUASION. Chap. I.—Introductory. Persuasion, properly so called, i. e. the art of influencing the Will, is the next point to be considered. And Rhetoric is often regarded (as was formerly remarked) in a more limited sense as conversant about this head alone. But even, according to that view, the rules above laid down will be found not the less relevant; since the Conviction of the understanding (of which 1 have hitherto been treating) is an essential part of Persuasion ; and will generally need to be effected by the Arguments of the Writer or Speaker. For in order that the Will may be influenced, two things are requisite ; viz. 1. that the pio- posed Object should appear desirable ; and 2. that the Means suggested should be proved to be conducive to the attainment of that object; and this last, evidently must depend on a process of Reasoning. In order, e. g. to induce the Greeks to unite their efforts against the Persian invader, it was necessary both to prove that cooperation could alone render their resistance effectual, and also to awaken sucn feelings of patriotism and abhorrence of a foreign ycke, as might prompt them 18 209 to make these combined efforts. For it is evident, that however ardent their love of liberty, they would make no exertions if they apprehended no danger ; or if they thought '.hernselves able, separately, to defend themselves, they would oe backward to join the confederacy : and on the other hand, that if they were willing to submit to the Persian yoke, 01 valued their independence less than their present ease, the fullest conviction that the Means recommended would secure their independence, would have had no practical effect. IPersuasion, therefore, depends on, first. Exhortation. — ' Argument, (to prove the expediency of...

Table of Contents

Cover Book Title Copyright Page Foreword Contents Editor's Introduction Preface Introduction Chap. I. - Of Propositions Chap. II. - Of Arguments Chap. III - Of the various use and order of the several kinds of Propositions and of Arguments in different cases Chap. IV. - Of Introductions and Conclusions Chap. I. - Introductory Chap. II. - Of the conduct of any address to the Feelings, generally Chap. III. - Of the favourable or unfavourable disposition of the hearers towards the Soeaker or his opponent Chap. I. - Of Perspicuity Chap. II. - Of Energy Chap. III. - Of Elegance Chap. I. - General Considerations relative to Elocution Chap. II. - Artificial and Natural Methods compared Chap. III. - Considerations arising from the Differences between Reading and Speaking Chap. IV. - Practical Deductions from the foregoing views Appendix Index Also in the Landmarks in Rheoric and Public Address series Back Cover