On essays, writing, and Aristotle: Part II

Augustine at the School of Thagaste. Gozzoli.

Yesterday we looked at the Aristotle's explanation of the rhetorical process, the idea of how to formulate a good argument and deliver it well. Whether you realize it or not, we do this all the time. All communication is essentially persuasive and should therefore be treated with the care and insight of Classical Rhetoric. This doesn't mean that we have to resent language and use it only as power-play to get people to do want (as the French deconstructionists say), but we receive language and speech as a gift of Eternal Word, who gives meaning and purpose to all speech. Our job therefore is learning not merely eloquence but also the wisdom that is to govern it.

Consider St. Augustine here. He too learned his rhetoric but used it to wise and God-glorifying ends, by which he was able to shake all history with his words. 

Agenda:

1. Pater noster
2. Cantamus.
3. Read Confessions silently
4. Finish Notes (8/21): Essay Structure
1. What is an essay? Etymology and rationale
2. Review 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 the structure of Essay? 
1. Arrangement: Intro, Body, and Conclusion.
1. Intro (Exordium et Narratio):
1. Announces the subject and explains the nature of the topic (without using 1st or 2nd person). 
2. Thesis: makes a statement or claim as statement of purpose (again, sans "I" or "you")
3. Logic of Intro moves from general to specific
2. Body (Partitio et Refutatio):
1. "Division" of evidence into separate body paragraphs, which exist essentially to support thesis.
2. "Refutes" any objection to one's own argument; answers counter-arguments which might be posed. 
3. Conclusion (Peroratio):
1. As "the finishing part" this brings closure to the argument by summing it up.  
5. Copy down HW
1. Study and read Confessions.
2. Study Essay notes so that you can write a good one!
3. Este perfecti!