The Five Cannons of Rhetoric

The Five Canons of Rhetoric

Arrangement

Invention

Format

• Introduction
• Statement of facts
• Proof of Case
• Refutation
• Conclusion

Definition

Non-Artistic

Definition

Latin:inventio (discovery)

"method for finding topics or arguments"

(Howat 25).

The Canons

• laws
• contracts
• witnesses
• torture
• oaths

Latin: Dispositio (organization)

"The systematical arrangement of the parts of a discourse" (Howat 26).

Artistic

• logos
• pathos
• ethos

• Invention
• Arrangement
• Style
• Memory
• Delivery

Common Topics

Definition

"Argument used for any occasion or type of speech" (Howat 26).

Background

Definition of Canon

"A criterion, or standard of judgement"

(merriam-webster.com).

Uses

The Five Canons of Rhetoric first appear in Cicero's work, Rhetorica ad Herennium. This piece consisted of four books which detailed the common rhetorical approach (changingminds.org).

• graduations
• political speeches

Very generic

Special Topics

The Canons ask: "Is the discourse effective?"

Ex: it can be told anywhere that fits the occasion with small adaptions

Uses

Definition

• Closing arguments in courts of law

• Funeral speeches

"Argument used in certain types of discourse" (Howat 26).

• Wedding speeches

• Other ceremonial speeches

Delivery

Definition

Style

"Graceful regulation of voice, countenance, and gesture as one speaks" (Howat 26).

Definition

Works Cited

Memory

Latin: elocutio (to speak)

"the adaption of suitable words and sentences to the matter" (Howat 27)

Types

Three Parts to Memory:

• Low (Plain)
• Middle (Forcible)
• High (Florid)

• The ability of the speaker to memorize the discourse

• Writing and speaking in a way that the audience remembers the discourse

Burton, Gideon O. "Memory." Memory. Brigham Young University, n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2014.

"Canon." Def. 4b. Mirriam-webster.com. N.d. Print.

Howat, Shaunna K. Biblical Worldview Rhetoric I. Charleston: n.p., 2010. Print.

"The Five Canons of Rhetoric." Changing Minds. Changing Minds, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.

• The speakers capability of proper quotation and following the rules of rhetoric