Chapter 1
Tropes
Medieval Rhetoric
Rhetors
Rhetors 2
100

Describe the differences between primary and secondary rhetoric. 

Primary rhetoric is oral, civic, and persuasive speech that's being delivered for a specific purpose as it is happening. In secondary rhetoric, the speech isn't central anymore; it's replaced by a text, that can be read by any audience for any purpose and that has the features of persuasive speech. 

100

What is the original definition of a Trope?

  • Original  “Ornament of words” in which the word’s usage departs from the ordinary or expected meaning of the word 
100

What did medieval rhetoric see a shift in? 

Medieval rhetoric saw a major shift in the common purpose of rhetoric from political to religious. 

100

What are Aristotle's Three Pillars of Rhetoric? And what do they mean? 

Ethos: “Depends on the personal character of the speaker…” An appeal based on the credibility of the speaker which can be based upon a number of factors including:

  • Reputation 
  • Trustworthiness 
  • Authority 
  • Expertise 
  • Similarity 
  • Manner

Pathos: “Putting the audience into a certain frame of mind…” An appeal to the audience based on emotion which can be tapped into with:

  • Storytelling
  • Call to Action 
  • Visuals 
  • Metaphors 

Logos: “On the proof, or apparent proof, provided by the words of speech itself…” An appeal based on the logic of the argument. Things to strengthen the logos of your argument:

  • Data
  • Facts 
  • Statistics 
  • Test/Survey/Research Results 
  • Charts and Diagrams 
  • Demonstrations
100

What are the parts of oratory according to Ramus? 

  • Reason = dialectic 

  • Subject matter
  • Speech = grammar and rhetoric 


    • Grammar


      • Etymology (nature, scope, meaning), syntax (sentence structure), and prosody (pattern and rhythm)  to speak correctly 

      • Orthography (spelling) to write correctly 

    • Rhetoric

      • Tropes and figures 

      • Dignified delivery 

200

Describe deliberate and epideictic rhetoric. 

Deliberative rhetoric – Rhetoric that attempts to persuade the audience to take a particular course of action. 

Epideictic rhetoric – In Greek, “epideictic” means “fit for display.” Ceremonial rhetoric, also known as “praise-and-blame” rhetoric. It occurs at special occasions – wedding toasts, award ceremonies, funerals. 

Let's practice!! 

Team 1 you have two minutes to come up with a persuasive speech. You’ll preform it for Team two who will vote and give you a score. Team 2 you have two minutes to come up with a wedding toast or a eulogy. You’ll preform it for Team 1 and they’ll give you a score.

200

What is the current definition of a trope? 

  • Current  Any recurring feature, term, or image in a text
200

During this time many Greek and Roman rhetoricians were denounced. Who did the Christian leaders now denounce? 

Cicero! 

  • It isn’t totally clear why, but Christian leaders and philosophers were very fond of Cicero and the “intellectual tradition” he represented.
200

What did Aristotle say were the three divisions of oratory? 

Three divisions of oratory 

Political: Urges people to do something 

Forensic: Attacks or defends someone 

Ceremonial: Praises or censures someone 

200

What was the argument brought up in Castiglione, "The Book of the Courtier"? 

Which art is better: sculptures or paintings? 

What is the answer? 

300

What is a syllogism and how does it relate to enthymeme? 

Syllogism – argument with a major premise, minor premise, and a conclusion

Enthymeme – a syllogism where the major premise is left unstated 

300

What are the four main tropes? 


Metaphor 

Synecdoche 

Metonymy

Irony

Practice! 

Team 1 look up the definition of Synecdoche and come up with your own example to share with the class. Team 2 look up the definition of Metonymy and come up with your own example to share with the class. 

300

What are the two big H-words from Medieval rhetoric? 

Hermeneutics 

Homilectics 

300

Why did Aristotle say Rhetoric was useful? 

Rhetoric is useful because... 

  1. Truth and justice will always prevail unless the speaker isn’t skilled in rhetoric 
  2. Persuasion and argument produce conviction not knowledge and instruction alone  
  3. Learning both sides of an argument will allow you to contest and correct your opponent 
  4. In an argument rational speech > limbs but using it wrongly results in injury 
300

What were Quintilian's 5 parts of rhetoric? 

Invention

Arrangement

Memory 

Delivery 

Style

400

What are the three parts of a persuasive speech?

Proemium (exordium)  opening words of a speech; usually used to ingratiate oneself to the audience

Narration (narratio)  The narration or explanation of facts

Proposition  What the speaker proposes to do; what he or she is trying to persuade the audience to do

400

What do lexicon and semantic mean? 

Lexicon: Vocabulary

Semantic: refers to meaning

400

What are the definitions for Hermeneutics and Homilectics? 

  • Hermeneutics: Theory & study of interpretation, especially the Bible and philosophical texts.
  • Homilectics: The art of preaching.
400

What did Socrates believe about writing? 

Socrates saw writing as something to look pretty, and that writing gave the impression that one knows what they are talking about. 

400

Can you summarize “The Ontological Argument” by Saint Anselm? 

Anselm defined God as "that than which nothing greater can be thought", and argued that this being must exist in the mind, even in the mind of the person who denies the existence of God.

500

What is term for: a shift in focus from primary to secondary rhetoric? 

Letteraturizzazione

500

What should metaphors in rhetoric do? 

  • Serve the rhetor’s purpose – be novel and comprehensible
  • Analogically illuminating
  • Charged with appropriate and useful associations
    • … so it depends on the situation.
500

Who was the Greek Rhetorician known as "the Polisher"? 

Hermogenes of Tarsus was a Greek rhetorician known as “The Polisher."

500

What were the three levels of style introduced in St. Augustine's "On Christian Doctrine"? 

Subdued Style

  • Instruction
  • Persuades the audience by what he says is true.

Temperate Style

  • Please the audience by beauty of expressions.
  • Praise

Majestic Style

  • Persuades the audience to do what they are aware they ought to do, but do not
  • Exhortation - Emphatically urging someone to do something
  • Changes the audience's attitude
500

What has been your favorite piece of reading (or the most helpful/information piece of reading) so far, and why? 

N/A