Lecture 1 Historical Perspectives

Question 1

What are the 5 principles of Egyptian rhetoric/communication?

Answer 1

1. Silence
2. Kairos-knowing when to speak.
3. Fluency of expression-report your commission without faltering.
4. Restraint-control your speech, conceal your heart, restrain your mouth
5. Truthfulness

Question 2

Who were Corax and Tisius?

Answer 2

Corax was the teacher, Tisius was the student.

They taught people the principles of public address so that citizens could petition the ruler for grievances.

Question 3

How did Cicero characterize oratory?

Answer 3

What function again is so kingly, so worthy of the free, so generous, as to bring help to the suppliant, to raise up those that are cast down, to bestow security, to set free from peril, to maintain men in their civil rights. Oratory is vital to the interests of the state. Society is constituted and shaped through the power of public oratory. Morality and honesty needed to be in harmony with speech.

Question 4

What was Quintilian’s saying regarding public speaking?

Answer 4

“Vir bonus, Dicendi peritus”-a good person who is skilled in speaking.

Question 5

Define Aristotle’s five canons.

Answer 5

• Invention-figuring out the different ways that persuasion may occur.
• Arrangement-putting the argument together in an effective and potentially successful way.
• Style-being able to use eloquent language in the presentation of the argument.
• memory-being able to speak extemporaneously.
• Delivery-being able to use appropriate gestural and vocal enthusiasm in one’s delivery