Speaking Your Mind: The Rhetoric Stage
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Main Notes
- Rhetoric is the art of expression, taught in grades 9-12 (high school)
- Goal: Enable students to express themselves with fluency, grace, elegance, and persuasiveness
- Rhetoric stage builds upon grammar (knowledge) and logic (argument validity) stages
- Focus on written and spoken expression across all subjects
- Increasing specialization allowed, particularly in junior and senior years
- Emphasis on original works and great books across all subjects
- Study of rhetoric involves five canons: inventio, dispositio, elocutio, memoria, and pronuntiatio
- Inventio: Formulating arguments and gathering evidence
- Dispositio: Arranging information in a persuasive order
- Elocutio: Evaluating and selecting words for maximum effect
- Memoria and Pronuntiatio: Specific to debate and speechmaking
- Rhetoric study leads to fair-mindedness and ability to argue both sides of an issue
- Recommended study: 3 hours per week for two years, potentially continuing for two more years
- Independent study possible with proper texts and outline practice
- Debate participation highly recommended for hands-on rhetoric training
Cue Column
- Why is rhetoric important for high school students?
- How does the rhetoric stage build on previous stages?
- What are the three distinctive aspects of classical high-school curriculum?
- What are the five canons of rhetoric?
- How does studying rhetoric lead to fair-mindedness?
- What is the recommended time commitment for studying rhetoric?
- How can students study rhetoric independently?
- Why is debate participation recommended?
- How should STEM-focused students approach rhetoric?
- What options are available for evaluating a student's writing?
- How can homeschoolers find debate opportunities?
- What should be included in a high school transcript for rhetoric studies?
- How does the study of great books contribute to rhetoric education?
- What is the role of specialization in the rhetoric stage?
- How can rhetoric skills be applied across different subjects?
Summary
The rhetoric stage, covering grades 9-12, focuses on teaching students the art of expression. Building upon the knowledge acquired in the grammar stage and the logical thinking developed in the logic stage, rhetoric enables students to articulate their thoughts with clarity, persuasiveness, and elegance.
This stage emphasizes both written and spoken expression across all subjects in the curriculum. Students are encouraged to continually write and speak about what they're learning, applying rhetorical skills to history, science, literature, and mathematics.
The study of rhetoric involves mastering five canons: inventio (argument formulation), dispositio (information arrangement), elocutio (word choice and style), memoria (memorization), and pronuntiatio (speech delivery). These skills are developed through structured study, analysis of great works, and practical application through debate and writing exercises.
A key aspect of the rhetoric stage is the increased allowance for specialization, particularly in the junior and senior years. While maintaining a broad educational base, students are encouraged to delve deeper into subjects that align with their interests and aptitudes.
The curriculum emphasizes the study of original works and great books across all subjects, providing students with examples of effective rhetoric and historical perspective. This approach not only teaches rhetorical skills but also deepens understanding of various disciplines and cultivates critical thinking.
Action Items
- Allocate 3 hours per week for rhetoric study in 9th and 10th grade
- Use recommended texts: 'A Rulebook for Arguments' or 'A Workbook for Arguments', followed by 'The New Oxford Guide to Writing'
- Follow the study pattern: read a section, outline the content, provide examples or complete exercises
- Consider using 'Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student' for advanced study in 11th and 12th grade
- Enroll 9th grader in a local debate club or society
- Pursue debate throughout 9th and 10th grades
- Consider continuing debate in 11th and 12th grades based on student interest
- Allow for more terse writing styles
- Focus on clarity and persuasion rather than length
- Ensure good grammar, mechanics, and clear thought
- Consider using an assessment service
- Seek evaluation from a local private school composition teacher
- Request evaluation from a university or community college writing teacher
- Consider 'Classical Composition' by Memoria Press for a user-friendly option
- Explore Institute for Excellence in Writing's Advanced Communication Series for students familiar with their methods
- Look into 'The Lost Tools of Writing' for a more rigorous and flexible approach