An apologue is a moral fable or a story that conveys a lesson or moral message, often featuring animals as characters. The term is commonly associated with the fables of ancient Greek storytellers like Aesop, where the narrative illustrates a specific ethical lesson. Apologues can take the form of short stories, parables, or allegories, and are used in literature and oratory to teach values, wisdom, or ethical principles.
Byzantine rhetoric refers to the style and practice of rhetoric as it developed and was utilized in the Byzantine Empire, which lasted from approximately the 4th century to the 15th century. This form of rhetoric was heavily influenced by classical Greek rhetoric, particularly the works of Aristotle, Cicero, and other classical rhetoricians, but it also evolved in response to the unique cultural, political, and religious context of Byzantium.
Chironomia is a term that refers to the art of gesture and the use of hand movements in communication, particularly in relation to public speaking and oratory. The word is derived from the Greek roots "chiro-" meaning hand and "-nomia" meaning law or management. Chironomia is often studied in the context of rhetoric, where gestures can enhance the delivery of a speech, emphasize key points, and engage the audience more effectively.
Cluster criticism is a specific approach in literary and cultural analysis that examines a group of related texts, themes, or historical contexts, rather than focusing on a single work in isolation. This method allows critics to explore how different pieces of literature, art, or cultural artifacts interact with each other, revealing patterns, influences, and common motifs.
"Consolatio" is a Latin term meaning "consolation" or "comfort." It often refers to the act of providing solace or relief in times of grief or emotional distress. The term is also associated with several historical and literary contexts. One of the most notable works is "Consolation of Philosophy," written by Boethius in the 6th century.
Decorum generally refers to a set of expectations or standards related to behavior, manners, and conduct that are considered appropriate in a particular context or setting. It encompasses the idea of behaving in a way that is polite, respectful, and suitable for the situation at hand. Decorum can apply to various spheres of life, including social interactions, formal events, professional environments, and even in literature and art.
"Dispositio" is a term derived from the Latin word for "arrangement." In the context of rhetoric and composition, it refers to the organization or structuring of a speech or written work. This involves arranging the main points and arguments in a coherent and effective manner to enhance clarity and persuasion.
"Epitome margaritae eloquentiae" translates roughly from Latin to "Epitome of the Pearl of Eloquence." It refers to a collection of eloquent speeches or writings that showcase a high level of rhetorical skill and effectiveness in communication. However, it is worth noting that this title is not widely recognized in popular literature or historical texts, suggesting that it may refer to a specific work, manuscript, or reference not commonly known.
"Kairos" is a term that originates from ancient Greek, where it refers to the concept of the opportune moment or the right timing for an action. In contrast to "chronos," which denotes chronological or sequential time, kairos emphasizes the qualitative aspects of time — the right moment to achieve a specific outcome or effect.
First-Year Composition (FYC) refers to a common foundational course often required in college and university curriculums, especially in the United States. Its primary purpose is to help students develop essential writing and communication skills that are crucial for academic success and effective expression in various contexts. Key components of First-Year Composition typically include: 1. **Academic Writing Skills**: Students learn to construct well-organized essays and other written forms, demonstrating clarity, coherence, and support for their ideas.
In politics, the term "flip-flop" refers to a situation where a politician changes their position or stance on an issue, often to gain favor with a different group of voters or to shift in response to changing political circumstances. This can involve reversing previously held beliefs, policies, or strategies that the individual had strongly supported before. The term is generally used pejoratively to suggest that the politician lacks consistency or genuine conviction in their beliefs.
"For all practical purposes" is an idiomatic expression that means something is effectively true or will have the same outcome in practical situations, even if it may not be technically accurate or entirely precise. It suggests that, while there might be some nuances or exceptions in a theoretical sense, those details are irrelevant when it comes to everyday use or real-world applications. Essentially, it indicates that for most intents and purposes, a certain statement or condition can be accepted as valid or applicable.
Foregrounding is a concept in linguistics and literary theory that refers to the technique of making certain elements of a text stand out or become more prominent in order to draw attention to them. This can be achieved through various means, such as linguistic choices, stylistic devices, or structural arrangements. In literature, foregrounding can involve the use of unusual syntax, striking imagery, or recurrent themes that highlight deeper meanings or enhance the emotional impact of a narrative.
"Gutmensch" is a German term that translates loosely to "good person" or "good man" in English. However, it has taken on a more specific connotation in modern discourse, particularly in critiques of moral superiority or political correctness. The term is often used pejoratively to describe individuals who are perceived as overly virtuous or self-righteous in their moral beliefs, typically related to social justice issues, political correctness, or liberal values.
"Hand-waving" is a colloquial term often used in discussions about reasoning, arguments, or explanations to describe a situation where someone glosses over details or complex issues instead of providing a thorough or rigorous analysis. It typically implies that the person is evading a deeper examination of a topic, relying on vague or superficial assertions rather than substantive reasoning or evidence.
Indignation refers to a strong feeling of displeasure, anger, or outrage, often in response to something perceived as unjust, unfair, or offensive. It can arise when someone feels that they or others have been wronged or treated inequitably. Indignation can be a motivating force for social change or activism, as it often compels individuals to take action against perceived injustices.
Judicial activism refers to the practice whereby judges and courts interpret and apply the law in ways that can lead to significant changes in public policy or societal norms. It often involves judges stepping away from a strict interpretation of the law and instead making rulings based on broader principles, such as justice, fairness, or social welfare.
A "lapalissade" refers to a statement that is so obvious that it is tautological or redundant, often to the point of being humorous. The term originates from a character named Jacques Lapalisse, a French nobleman who, according to legend, had an epitaph that included statements about his undeniable existence and qualities, which were evident and self-evident.
A logographer, in a legal context, refers to a professional writer or scribe who specializes in drafting legal documents and pleadings on behalf of clients or attorneys. The term is derived from the Greek root "logo," meaning "word" or "writing." Logographers are skilled in legal language and possess a deep understanding of legal principles, which allows them to create documents that adhere to legal standards and effectively convey the necessary arguments or information.
The "Rhetoric of Social Intervention Model" is not a widely recognized term with a singular definition; however, it relates to concepts in social advocacy, public communication, and social change. The model emphasizes how rhetoric—defined as the art of persuasion—can be effectively employed in social interventions to address societal issues. Here are some key components that often relate to this concept: 1. **Audience Awareness**: Understanding the target audience is crucial for effective communication.

Pinned article: Introduction to the OurBigBook Project

Welcome to the OurBigBook Project! Our goal is to create the perfect publishing platform for STEM subjects, and get university-level students to write the best free STEM tutorials ever.
Everyone is welcome to create an account and play with the site: ourbigbook.com/go/register. We belive that students themselves can write amazing tutorials, but teachers are welcome too. You can write about anything you want, it doesn't have to be STEM or even educational. Silly test content is very welcome and you won't be penalized in any way. Just keep it legal!
We have two killer features:
  1. topics: topics group articles by different users with the same title, e.g. here is the topic for the "Fundamental Theorem of Calculus" ourbigbook.com/go/topic/fundamental-theorem-of-calculus
    Articles of different users are sorted by upvote within each article page. This feature is a bit like:
    • a Wikipedia where each user can have their own version of each article
    • a Q&A website like Stack Overflow, where multiple people can give their views on a given topic, and the best ones are sorted by upvote. Except you don't need to wait for someone to ask first, and any topic goes, no matter how narrow or broad
    This feature makes it possible for readers to find better explanations of any topic created by other writers. And it allows writers to create an explanation in a place that readers might actually find it.
    Figure 1.
    Screenshot of the "Derivative" topic page
    . View it live at: ourbigbook.com/go/topic/derivative
  2. local editing: you can store all your personal knowledge base content locally in a plaintext markup format that can be edited locally and published either:
    This way you can be sure that even if OurBigBook.com were to go down one day (which we have no plans to do as it is quite cheap to host!), your content will still be perfectly readable as a static site.
    Figure 2.
    You can publish local OurBigBook lightweight markup files to either https://OurBigBook.com or as a static website
    .
    Figure 3.
    Visual Studio Code extension installation
    .
    Figure 4.
    Visual Studio Code extension tree navigation
    .
    Figure 5.
    Web editor
    . You can also edit articles on the Web editor without installing anything locally.
    Video 3.
    Edit locally and publish demo
    . Source. This shows editing OurBigBook Markup and publishing it using the Visual Studio Code extension.
    Video 4.
    OurBigBook Visual Studio Code extension editing and navigation demo
    . Source.
  3. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook-media/master/feature/x/hilbert-space-arrow.png
  4. Infinitely deep tables of contents:
    Figure 6.
    Dynamic article tree with infinitely deep table of contents
    .
    Descendant pages can also show up as toplevel e.g.: ourbigbook.com/cirosantilli/chordate-subclade
All our software is open source and hosted at: github.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook
Further documentation can be found at: docs.ourbigbook.com
Feel free to reach our to us for any help or suggestions: docs.ourbigbook.com/#contact