Grammar, essays, and Aristotle

Aristotle. Copy of Lysippus.

Today is the day, set apart from the week, the day your English teacher said you must keep it set apart for the studying of English rules, divers grammatical elements, and essay structure. We have much to discuss and cover today, in addition to continuing our reading of The Confessions.

Agenda:  

1. Pater noster
2. Read Confessions silently.
3. Review Grammar Quiz: make corrections on quiz and learn from mistakes.
4. Notes (8/21): Essay Structure
1. What is an essay? Etymology and rationale
2. Aristotle's Canon's of Rhetoric:
1. Invention: What to Say. As the first step and most important step, Invention comes from invenire, a verb in Latin meaning "to find." In this we "invent" or "find" a response to the topic and reasons why. Good logic generates good ideas; good ideas generate good writing.
2. Arrangement: How/Where to Say It. From dispositio or taxis, meaning "placing in position" or "ordering things," and this step arranges the response of Invention.
3. Elocution (or Style): How to Say It WELL. Think of Christmas. We hang ornaments, a Latin word meaning "jewelry" and a verb ornare, "to decorate." We don't just set up a tree at Christmas; we decorate the tree. This step decorates the essay with beautiful words and appropriate rhetorical devices.   
3. What is an Intro, Body, and Conclusion.
5. Copy down HW
1. Study and read Confessions.
2. Study grammar.
3. Este perfecti!