The Five Cannons of Rhetoric

Rhetoric is the third liberal art

Invention is the process of coming up with what to say

Arrangement is the way that a work or idea is organized

Elocution basically means the way something is said

Memory is the act of remembering something

Delivery pertains to the mechanics presenting the created speech or composition.

Rhetoric

it is exclusively for high school students

it enables us to

recognize and understand beautiful language

how to write and speak skillfully

however children learn how to

memorize (poll-parrot)

argue (pert)

be creative (poetic)

Invention

the first task in rhetoric is progymnasmata

retell a fable

imitation is vital to learning a skill

you need to have a good relationship to show creativity

retelling shows the power of combination and permutation

this leads to new thoughts making invention more natrual

Invention in it's most basic form is getting stuff out of the mind

it is hard to get stuff out that isn't there

to put stuff in we need to ask questions

Arrangement

ordering and framing ideas and be the defining factor between something being enjoyable and confusing

giving students an arrangement they must follow helps them to write in a more ordered and cohesive way.

this teaches essential organizational sikills

in practicing fundamentals of arrangement students gain competence and confidence

Elocation

the vocabulary, sentence structure, and expressions used will affect the reader's perception of the ideas.

memory is a critical part of elocation

the power of expressive language will be a function of the great database of language in the brain

greater facility however can be promoted by using imitation and exercise

Memory

this is where it all begins

it goes far beyond memorizing a speech

if we don't memorize anything we don't know anything

language, vocabulary, sentence patters , syntax, imaginative schemes and tropes that we store in our minds through memory are the stuff from which all our thinking, writing and speaking become possible

Provide students with the tools to memorize

click to edit

"Memory is the cabinet of imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience, and the council chamber of though."

Delivery

Delivery is improved by good

vocal modulation

projection

eye contact

gestures

it is said that "drama is the capstone of rhetoric"

delivery is improved by reciting short works, speeches from plays,and history

practicing this boosts their confidence

practicing this furnishes their minds