Aristotle & Classical Oration
How many Latin sections are in the classical oration format?
6
What are the three sections in the opening of the classical oration format?
(must be the Latin names and in order)
Exordium
Narratio
Partitio
What are the two sections in the argument section of the classical oration format?
(must be the Latin names and in order)
Confirmatio
Refutatio
What is the Latin name for the closing section (the conclusion)?
Peroratio
Which rhetorical appeal is best suited for the opening sections of the classical oration format?
ethos
What are the two main purposes of the exordium?
1. grabbing the audience's attention / piquing their interest
2. disposing the audience to the upcoming arguments / preparing them for the topic you are discussing
How do you respond to opposing viewpoints and objections in the refutatio?
What should you do in your peroratio?
reinforce your character (ethos)
summarize your reasoning (logos)
encourage the audience to action with emotion (pathos)
Which rhetorical appeal is best suited for the middle sections of the classical oration format?
logos
What does the narratio NOT contain?
argumentation
How can you build up your ethos in representing the opposing side's arguments?
by representing the other side's arguments faithfully and fairly, you show that you know the opposing view (practical wisdom) and that you want to truly understand what they are saying and why (moral virtue and goodwill)
Why does emotion make people want to act?
Emotions are inherently tied to pain and pleasure, both of which make people decide against doing something (pain) or decide to do something (pleasure).
Which rhetorical appeal is best suited for the closing section of the classical oration format?
pathos
The etymology of "Partitio" means "division." Why does this Latin make sense with the what the thesis statement does?
The thesis statement divides your thesis (statement) into the different arguments (proofs) that you will use to defend your thesis statement.
What does Aristotle's "stasis theory" help you find?
the point of contention in the topic (where people really disagree)
this, in turn, helps you figure out what your main arguments will be
Why did Socrates bring Meno's slave to a point of confusion/perplexity? In other words, what can Meno's slave do now that he admits he doesn't know how to do the geometrical proof?
Now the slave is in a position to learn that which he doesn't know. If he thought he knew it already, he wouldn't think he needed to learn it.
What were the only two necessary parts of a speech according to Aristotle?
the statement (thesis)
the proof (arguments)
What are the six possible ways to begin the exordium that the book gave?
joke, story, statistic, paradox, question, and quotation
What are the four categories/questions of Aristotle's "stasis theory?"
Fact: Did it happen?
Harm: Is it harmful or advantageous?
Importance: Is it significant or insignificant?
Justice: Is it just or unjust?
Why is Socrates referred to as a "torpedo fish" who "numbs" his interlocutors?
Because he brings his conversation partners to a state of confusion/perplexity/ignorance
(aporia: lacking a path, at an impasse, needs to be guided)