Children: Rhetoric
Neo-Aristotelianism in literature refers to a revival or reinterpretation of Aristotelian principles, particularly those articulated in Aristotle's "Poetics," which outlines the characteristics of effective storytelling and drama. This approach emphasizes the importance of objective criteria for analyzing and evaluating literary works, focusing on elements such as plot, character, and themes.
New Rhetoric, often associated with the work of scholars such as Chaim Perelman and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca, emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to traditional rhetorical theories. Traditional rhetoric, rooted in classical texts and focused on persuasive techniques, largely centered on the speaker's ability to persuade an audience through logical argumentation (logos), emotional appeal (pathos), and ethical considerations (ethos).
"On the Sublime" typically refers to a philosophical and aesthetic treatise titled "On the Sublime" (or "Peri Hypsous" in Greek), attributed to Longinus, a Roman or Greek writer from the 1st century AD. The text discusses the concept of the sublime, which refers to a quality of greatness or grandeur that inspires awe and admiration.
Oracy refers to the ability to express oneself fluently and grammatically in spoken language. The term encompasses a range of skills related to speaking and listening, similar to how literacy pertains to reading and writing. Oracy involves not just the act of speaking, but also the capacity to engage in conversations, present ideas, argue positions, and communicate effectively in various contexts. The development of oracy skills is particularly important in educational settings, as they contribute to effective communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Orator is a work by the Roman statesman and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero, written around 46 BCE. It is a treatise on rhetoric, specifically focusing on the art of oratory. In "Orator," Cicero explores various aspects of effective speaking, including the qualities of a good orator, the different styles of rhetoric, and the techniques for persuading an audience.
"Panegyrici Latini" refers to a collection of Latin panegyrics or formal praises, typically in the form of speeches or writings that celebrate and commend individuals, often prominent figures like emperors or military leaders. The most notable collection is a compilation of speeches dating primarily from the late Roman Empire, particularly from the 3rd to the 6th centuries AD.
The "Panegyricus Messallae" is a work attributed to the Roman poet and orator, **Marcus Tullius Cicero**, specifically written in praise of **Messalla Corvinus**, a Roman statesman and general. The term "panegyric" refers to a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something, highlighting their virtues and accomplishments.
The "Parade of Horribles" refers to a concept often used in legal and political discourse, particularly in discussions of constitutional law or statutory interpretation. It involves presenting a series of exaggerated or absurd hypothetical consequences that could arise from a particular legal interpretation or decision, suggesting that these outcomes are undesirable or extreme. The idea is to illustrate the potential pitfalls or unintended consequences of a legal ruling by showcasing how it could lead to ridiculous or catastrophic results.
Paradiastole is a rhetorical term that refers to the technique of reinterpreting or redefining a negative quality or trait in a more favorable light. This rhetorical strategy involves presenting something typically seen as a flaw or vice as a virtue or positive characteristic through a change in context or perspective. For example, instead of labeling someone as insincere, one might describe them as being "diplomatic" or "carefully measured in their words.
Parallelism in grammar refers to the use of similar structures in writing and speaking to create rhythm, clarity, and balance. It involves matching the grammatical forms of words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence or across multiple sentences, thereby enhancing coherence and readability. For example, in a list, parallelism ensures that each item shares the same grammatical structure: - **Parallel**: "She enjoys reading, writing, and hiking.
In rhetoric, parallelism is a stylistic and grammatical technique where similar or identical structures are used in a series of phrases, clauses, or sentences. This repetition of structure creates a sense of rhythm, balance, and clarity, making the writing or speech more persuasive and memorable. Parallelism can enhance the emotional impact of an argument or message, as it helps to emphasize particular ideas and create a more cohesive narrative.
Paraphrasing is the process of rewording or restating a piece of text or speech while preserving its original meaning. It involves altering the structure, vocabulary, and phrasing of the content without changing its essential message. Paraphrasing can be useful for clarifying information, avoiding plagiarism, or tailoring content for different audiences. It typically requires a good understanding of the original material to accurately convey the same ideas in a new way.
A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is unexpected or surprising in a way that creates a humorous or ironic effect. It often plays on the listener's anticipation and then subverts it, leading to an unexpected twist. This technique is commonly used in humor and comedic writing. For example: "I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.
Parechesis is a rhetorical term used to describe a figure of speech in which a word is used in a way that it is not intended to refer to its literal meaning, often for the sake of introducing ambiguity or engaging an audience. It typically involves a form of pun or wordplay, where a word has more than one meaning or can be interpreted in multiple ways.
In rhetoric, a parenthesis is a figure of speech that involves inserting additional information, commentary, or an explanatory remark into a sentence. This insertion is typically set off by punctuation—commonly parentheses, dashes, or commas—and serves to provide extra context or clarification without interrupting the main flow of the sentence.
Paromoiosis is a rhetorical device that involves the use of two or more similar phrases or clauses that are closely related in meaning, often in a parallel structure. This technique is typically employed for emphasis or to create a rhythm in speech or writing. The similarity in structure can help highlight contrasts or comparisons between the ideas being presented. It is often found in poetry, speeches, and persuasive writing.
Parrhesia is a term that originates from ancient Greek, meaning "free speech" or "boldness of speech." It refers to the act of speaking candidly and openly, often about important or controversial topics, without fear of the consequences. The concept is closely associated with the idea of truth-telling and moral courage, where individuals express their thoughts and opinions honestly, even when it might be uncomfortable or risky to do so.
"Pars pro toto" is a Latin phrase that translates to "a part for the whole." It refers to a figure of speech or rhetorical device in which a part of something is used to represent the whole entity. This technique is often employed in literature, speech, and everyday language to create vivid imagery or to convey meaning more succinctly. For example, when someone refers to "the crown" to mean a monarchy or a king or queen, they are using "pars pro toto.
Pathos is a rhetorical appeal to the emotions of the audience. It is one of the three modes of persuasion identified by Aristotle, alongside ethos (credibility or ethical appeal) and logos (logical appeal). Pathos aims to evoke an emotional response, such as pity, fear, joy, or anger, in order to persuade the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action.
"Pensée unique" is a French term that translates to "unique thought" or "single thought." It is often used in political contexts to describe a situation where a specific ideology or set of beliefs dominates the discourse, leaving little room for dissent or alternative viewpoints. The concept is frequently associated with the idea of political correctness or ideological conformity, where any deviation from the prevailing thought is discouraged or marginalized.