Classical Rhetoric Text & DVD Set

Aristotle's Rhetoric is considered one of the great books on communication. With a major focus on the speaker and audience, this course covers the theories on writing and oratory expressed in Aristotle's first two books. Assuming the student has previously studied composition and has a solid understanding of foundational writing skills (essay, analysis, etc.), this course aims at refining and building a student’s persuasive writing competence—no matter the student’s previous experience. The course requires DVD lectures from the author Martin Cothran, student workbook, teacher key, quizzes and tests, Aristotle’s Rhetoric, and Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book. Arthur Quinn’s Figures of Speech is a recommended resource. Buy these items individually or as sets. The complete set includes all required and recommended resources; the Text and DVD set includes all Memoria Press items needed and Aristotle’s Rhetoric.

  The first part of the course covers Book One of Aristotle's Rhetoric: "Rhetoric as it Concerns the Speaker." Lessons start on the scope and purpose of rhetoric and the definition and division of rhetoric. The rest of the speaker section is then divided into political, ceremonial, and forensic rhetoric, with several lessons per topic. The second part of the course then covers Book Two of Aristotle's Rhetoric: "Rhetoric as it Concerns the Audience." The course provides a basic introduction to Aristotle's views and the lessons focus on Pathos, Ethos, and Logos. The text includes several ways to help students thoroughly review and understand the content, with short answer Reading Comprehension Questions as a main component in helping students glean as much from Aristotle's Rhetoric as possible. Students’ writing assignments help them demonstrate that they understand Aristotle’s teaching. These assignments will also help students assess Aristotle’s thoughts and standards based on their perspective, which may differ from Aristotle's. Finally, Case Study analyses focus on four speeches, each provided as example of Aristotle’s 3 speeches, with questions relevant to the section of Aristotle’s text. These are designed as models for the students to imitate in their own persuasive discourse.

  Weekly Research and Writing Assignments are designed to apply the lessons the student has learned. Reading Lesson questions based on Mortimer Adler's How to Read a Book, are designed to help the student fully understand what, how, and why Aristotle says what he does.

  Logic and Latin Review provide review questions related to Traditional Logic. Although this book is not a prerequisite for this course and these questions can be skipped, the author does recommend completing this text.

  This course’s user-friendly format and multiple-aspects of reviewing make this a very complete review and guide for Aristotle's Rhetoric. A Teacher Key can be purchased separately and provides detailed answers for the lessons and exercises. ~ Rachel S/Ruth.