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Beth Agnew is an accomplished writer, educator, speaker and consultant. A true Renaissance woman, Beth's interests range from communications technolog... (more...)
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Rhetoric is often described as the discipline of communicating through words. From the ancient rhetoricians to the modern day, rhetoric is part of the fabric of life.
Rhetoric also has a negative connotation, when someone describes another's communication as simply "rhetoric", suggesting a lot of words without much meaning. All talk and no action.
As a professional communicator, I engage in rhetoric on a regular basis. I'll share with you some tools and tips for great rhetoric, and we'll explore how rhetoric can be mastered to advantage.
Links
- Silva Rhetoricae
- Reference for terms and techniques of classical rhetorical theory.
- Immediacy of Rhetoric
- Doctoral thesis about immediacy of the internet as a rhetorical forum.
- Persuasion Analysis
- Approaches for analyzing persuasion in advertising and political rhetoric through the Intensify/Downplay schema.
- Democracy: Rhetorical Texts
- A catalog of links to e-texts of important speeches, largely from presidents and historic feminist figures, with research resources. Compiled by Robert Ivie of the University of Indiana.
- Rhetorical Studies Resources
- Resources in philosophy, metaphor, and other topics of interest to rhetorical studies scholars, from the University of Iowa.
- Rhetoric Links
- Internet links on rhetoric and its theory. Particularly good collection of e-texts and background material on classical and early Christian rhetoric.
- Kenneth Burke Parlor
- References and discussions about Kenneth Burke, a prominent rhetorician.
- Modern Rhetorical Theory
- Academic website with resources for rhetorical theory.
- The Power of Words
- A description with examples of twenty types of emotional appeals, fallacious arguments, and other verbal manipulations that touch the heart and manipulate the mind.
- Rhetcomp.com
- Portal to resources in rhetoric and composition, including moos, blogs, listservs, and calls for papers.
- Rhetoric and Composition
- A collection of online resources related to classical rhetoric, writing centers, and university rhetoric departments.
Books on Rhetoric
Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
Amazon Price: $73.76 (as of 05/17/2008)
Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Sixth Edition
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking, Seventh Edition
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
Perspectives on Argument, Fourth Edition
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
SilvaRhetoricae
Learning about Rhetoric
Produced by Dr. Gideon Burton of Brigham Young University, Silva Rhetoricae or "The Forest of Rhetoric" is an outstanding introduction to, and explanation of Rhetoric.If you are interested in the subjects of effective writing and speaking, I recommend you take a stroll through Dr. Burton's forest.
Silva Rhetoricae
Rhetoric encompasses much more than persuasive speaking and writing. It includes communication that gets to the point, makes a point, and calls the reader or listener to action. It is the discipline of creating communication that works.
Using Rhetoric in Writing
- Handbook of Rhetorical Devices
- "This book contains definitions and examples of more than sixty traditional rhetorical devices, all of which can still be useful today to improve the effectiveness, clarity, and enjoyment of your writing."
The Rhetoric of Podcasts
Audio and Video need Rhetoric, too!
Even though the final product is not in written form, applying good principles of rhetoric to audio and video is a very good thing.Proper organization and logical flow of ideas, attention paid to language, pacing, tone, and style, and adherence to clarity, cohesion, conciseness and correctness enhance any communication.
We choose podcasts so we can multitask and so we can acquire information faster than by reading. Make sure the audio and video you produce has a good rhetorical foundation so your audience can get the most from each podcast.
Aristotle on Rhetoric
He notes that all persuasion is by:
- ethos, or authority
- logos, or logic
- pathos, or feeling
Thus the most persuasive and emphatic message would be from someone you respect who has authority in that subject, appeals to you logically and with emotion.
Aristotle's Book on Rhetoric
The Art of Rhetoric (Penguin Classics)
Amazon Price: $11.86 (as of 05/17/2008)
List Price: $13.95
Used Price: $2.96
Ars Rhetorica (Oxford Classical Texts)
Amazon Price: $44.50 (as of 05/17/2008)
List Price: $44.50
Used Price: $44.48
