Five Canons of Rhetoric
What are the Five Common Topics of Invention?
Definition, Comparison, Relationship, Circumstance, Testimony
Definition
Genus/Species
Division
Etymology
Synonym/Antonym
Description
Example
How does King establish ethos?
He is more interested in "constructive work" than in addressing criticism - practical wisdom. He expresses goodwill for his audience, saying he believes them also to be "men of genuine goodwill." He shows moral virtue in promising to fight for civil rights.
Provide three EXAMPLES of the following word.
Cereal
captain crunch
cheerios
rice krispies
etc
What is Invention?
The work of finding the "stuff" for the speech
What question do you ask for Definition?
What kind of a thing is it?
Comparison
Similarity/Analogy
Difference
Degree
How does King arouse emotions? What emotions does he soften?
He is addressing people who may be angry at the "outsiders" coming in. He wants to redirect that anger, which is stirred by perceived injustice, toward a more significant injustice: racial inequality.
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Teacher
Mrs Rose
Mrs Hutchinson
Mr Rose
What is Organization?
Ordering the invented content
What question do you ask for Comparison?
"To what can I compare this thing?"
Relationship
Cause/Effect
Antecedent/Consequent
Contraries/Contradictories
How is reason used to support his persuasion?
Many examples!! Comparison between himself and Biblical figures. Historical examples, from Aristotle and Socrates. Maxim from Augustine.
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Sandwich
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Ham and Cheese
Turkey
What is Style?
Wording, or language (formal, informal, middle)
What question do you ask for Relationship?
"What is its relationship to other things?"
Possible/Impossible
Past fact/Future fact
What is the context of his letter? (what was going on in society at that time?)
It was written during the Civil Rights movement and captures the arguments for nonviolent civil disobedience.
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Language
French
Latin
English
Chinese
What is Memory and Delivery?
Memorization of the speech and the giving of the speech.
What questions do you ask for Circumstance and Testimony?
"In what circumstances does this thing exist?"
"Do outsiders have anything to say about this thing?"
Testimony
Testimonial
Law
Statistics
Example
Authority
Maxim
What does the letter what the audience to do?
King wants understanding - he wants his audience to understand the need for non-violent civil disobedience, but more than that, King wants his audience to be moved to action. He wants "active partners in the struggle for freedom."
Provide EXAMPLES of the following word.
Weekday
Monday
Tuesday
Friday