Kenneth Sutton

Friday Oct 31, 2014

ENC 3315
Aristotles Canons

When looking to discus the five canons of rhetoric in the time of Aristotle one
most first understand what rhetoric was to the people of that age to understand how and
why we apply the same concepts are still applicable in modern times. Rhetoric before
Aristotle was much more general in its definition, each of these seven points attempts to
define parts of rhetoric. Where Aristotles five canons are much more focused one
specific point that defines rhetoric.

The Art which addresses rhetoric as a mere instinctual or unreflective talent,
which requires the application of rational concepts and methods in the creative process of
guiding situated judgment. Employing deliberate persuasive strategies persuasion is often
accidental or product of luck, in contradistinction to rhetorical critics we can evaluate
anything that strikes us as persuasive, cause the art of rhetoric is concerns itself with
improving how to produced, and cannot improve accident or luck. Before a public
audience the public character of the audience means it addresses an audience of relative
strangers who have gathered to address a common concern. Specific occasion public
speaking one can create rhetorical discourse in written or visual form that is delivered in
a physical presence of others. Transforming some aspects of a problematic situation
rhetoric seeks to change some aspect of the natural or social environment that is felt to be
problematic by the public. This shared experience of uncertainty, anxiety and urgency
focuses peoples attention on a speech, which gives the rhetor more power over the
audience. Encouraging new forms of thought and action this is where rhetoric transforms
the environment by symbolic persuasion; use of symbols to encourage others to change
their attitudes towards a subject.

Aristotle view on rhetoric is much more in depth then any of his predecessors
five canons of rhetoric principles that in modern times we still use in the art of
persuasion. When talking about Aristotles five canons Invention is a logical place scents
it concerns finding something to say. Invention is tied to logos appeal.

Arrangement concern how one orders speech or writing it also appeals to ethos


Style concerns the artful expression of ideas. If invention addresseswhat is to be said;
style addresses how this will be said. From a rhetorical perspective style is not incidental,
superficial, or supplementary: style names how ideas are embodied in language and
customized to communicative contexts. Style often a lines its self with pathos, but it can
also have something to say ethos.



Memory seemed to have to do solely with mnemonics (memory aids) that would assist a
budding orator in retaining his speech.


Delivery, the last of the five canons of rhetoric concerns itself (as does style)
with how something is said, rather than what is said (the province of Invention)








Sorry you dont really have much to work with, Im not completely done writing. But this
what it would look like without filler stuff more or less.














http://catalogue.pearsoned.co.uk/assets/hip/gb/hip_gb_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/02
05943586.pdf

http://rhetoric.byu.edu/canons/Canons.htm