Welcome back to Excelsior!
I will be out of town this week and perhaps several weeks this semester, so Mrs. Harmon will be leading the class. Please show her respect and do your best to keep up with your assignments.
This week you will review your mid-term exams and read and outline Rhetorica ad Herennium, Book III pp. 157-173.
Enjoy!
Hi, Team,
Having finished Book I in the Rhetorica ad Herennium, we will have a little quiz on Friday to help solidify your new-found knowledge of classical rhetoric, and how well you have kept up your outlines. In addition, we will get an overview of Book II, and begin discussing it. Accordingly, please read Book II, pp. 59-67 (up to para. IV).
NOTE: This post constitutes a change from the Syllabus; please prepare accordingly.
Prepare speeches on Napoleon’s death, focusing on the Introduction and Statement of Facts. Remember to use your outlines for tips on how to structure them. After delivering them, be prepared to turn in the written product.
Also, begin reading Rhetorica, Bk. I, pp. 43-end, continuing your outlnes.
See you Friday!
Read Rhetorica, Bk. I, pp. 31-43. Outline and be prepared to discuss the division of the cause, distribution, exposition, proof and refutation, the three types of issues, and the six subtypes of legal issues.
Note: We will review your outlines in class, so be sure they are up to date.
August 29-September 2
Read Rhetorica, Book I, pp. 3-23 (through para. VII). Outline and be prepared to discuss the five canons of rhetoric (p. 7), means by which they may be attained, the six parts of a discourse (p. 9), the four types of cause, the two kinds of introduction, etc.
Remember: Your outline will be your primary resource throughout the year, and will be continuously added onto, if you are doing your homework. Prepare accordingly!
August 22-26
Introduction and overview. Read Introduction to Rhetorica ad Herennium, especially pp. xviii-xxi.
Question: Why should we study classical rhetoric? What role has it played in history? Is it relevant today? What do you think you will gain from this class? Be prepared to discuss.
