We look to the ancients for ideas on how to organize our writing better.<\/p>\n
Parts of an Ancient Speech<\/p>\n
If you include an introduction and a conclusion, Aristotle says the basic parts of a speech are four:<\/p>\n
I.\t\tIntroduction (Also called Exordium or Proemion)
\nII.\t\tStatement of the Proposition (Prothesis)
\nIII.\tProof (Pistis)
\nIV.\t\tConclusion (Epilogos) <\/p>\n
The Introduction (Exordium or Proemion)<\/p>\n
The purpose of the introduction is to tell your reader what the purpose of your writing is. (If you are writing a short piece, you may not need an introduction.)
\nYour introduction, according to Aristotle, should serve the following purposes:<\/p>\n
1. \tBegin the speech
\n2. \tEngage attention of the audience and make the audience receptive to the message
\n4. \tSecure good will for the speaker
\n5. \tRemove (or excite) any prejudices the audience might have
\n6. \tPave the way for what follows in the speech<\/p>\n
The Statement (Prothesis) <\/p>\n
Aristotle\u2019s prothesis is what we moderns call the thesis statement. Now that your introduction has led your audience to be interested in your topic, you state your position clearly and forcefully. And then you support it with proofs. <\/p>\n
The Proof (Pistis)<\/p>\n
Your proof is the body of your essay. The proof you bring forth should compel your audience to accept your position (your prothesis) as true and valid. In the proof section of the essay, you demonstrate the truth of your claims by use of enthymemes and examples (as we discussed in Chapter 2). <\/p>\n
The Conclusion (Epilogos)<\/p>\n
The conclusion\u2019s purpose is fourfold:
\n1. \tTo favorably dispose the audience towards the speaker (and against the speaker\u2019s opponent)
\n2. \tTo amplify or diminish certain arguments\/facts
\n3. \tTo inspire emotion [pathe] in the audience
\n4. \tTo give a reminder of the chief points in the speech <\/p>\n
Those are some basic structural ideas on how to organize a piece of writing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We look to the ancients for ideas on how to organize our writing better. Parts of an Ancient Speech If you include an introduction and a conclusion, Aristotle says the basic parts of a speech are four: I. Introduction (Also … Continue reading