How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Rhetoric

Rhetoric is an ancient art of eloquent speech and persuasive communication. Indeed, for thousands of years, the discipline was the formal collection point of persuasive knowledge.

Here are collected details of how it all works and how to use it.

On rhetoric and style:

A brief history of rhetoric: Where it all came from.
Five canons of rhetoric: the principles of Aristotelian persuasion.
Virtues of style: Five ways of creating effective style.
Barthes' rhetoric: Metabolas and Parataxes.
Durand's rhetoric: From a study of adverts.

On argument and logic

Aristotelian Logic: The collected elements from the original master.
Fallacies: Many of the common errors that appear in arguments.
Making the argument: building a strong argument.
Syllogisms: Classic logical argument forms.
Types of reasoning: different ways to argue.

On language:

Figures of speech: Subtle use of language.
Metaphor: Using other worlds to describe this one.
Modifying meaning: Changing meaning to change minds.
Persuasive language: Particular methods of persuading with words.

Rhetoric

See also