by Joshua E. Hummer, Esq. and Dr. Jill A. Hummer, Ph.D. Workbook
2 Persuasive Writing and Classical Rhetoric Table of Contents Lesson 1: Persuasive Writing and Classical Rhetoric... 4 Lesson 2: The Habits of Great Writers... 13 Lesson 3: Introduction to Invention... 21 Lesson 4: The Subject... 28 Lesson 5: Sources... 37 Lesson 6: Taking Notes... 44 Lessons 7 & 8: Interlude for Research and Taking Notes... 52 Lesson 9: Stasis Theory... 53 Lesson 10: The Claim... 60 Lesson 11: Inartistic Appeals... 69 Lesson 12: Logical Appeals and Deductive Reasoning... 76 Lesson 13: Logical Appeals and Inductive Reasoning... 81 Lesson 14: Emotional Appeals, Part I... 87 Lesson 15: Emotional Appeals, Part II... 92 Lesson 16: Ethical Appeals... 99 Lesson 17: Introduction to Arrangement... 105 Lesson 18: The Introduction... 111 Lesson 19: Statement of Facts... 116 Lesson 20: Confirmation... 122 Lesson 21: Refutation... 128 Lesson 22: The Conclusion... 134 Lesson 25: Introduction to Style... 140 Lesson 26: Correctness in Words and Sentences... 147 Lesson 27: Correctness in Punctuation... 153 Lesson 28: Clarity in Characters and Actions... 160 Lesson 29: Clarity and Zapping Clutter... 166
Workbook 3 Lesson 30: Ornamentation... 173 Lesson 31: Propriety... 180 Lesson 32: Your Audience Is You... 187 Lesson 33: What Real Writers Do... 193 Lesson 34: Moving Past Rejection... 195 Lesson 35: Pitching Your Work... 197 Lesson 36: Following Up and Fostering Habits for Life... 203
4 Persuasive Writing and Classical Rhetoric Lesson 1: Persuasive Writing and Classical Rhetoric Schedule Day 1: Read Lesson 1 and answer Lesson 1 Review Questions (Workbook 1.1) Day 2: Read Patrick Henry (Reader 1) and answer Henry Review Questions (Workbook 1.2) Day 3: Complete the Find Rhetoric Exercise (Workbook 1.3) Day 4: Write 500 words based on this prompt: Give me, or give me death. (Workbook 1.4) 1.1 Lesson 1 Review Questions 1. Define these key terms: Persuasive writing Rhetoric Deliberative rhetoric Judicial rhetoric Epideictic rhetoric Advertisements Editorials 2. Describe the components of our course definition of rhetoric: 3. Where are some of the places you can find rhetoric and persuasive writing?
Workbook 5 4. What are some of the reasons you should learn rhetoric and persuasive writing? 5. Why is not all writing rhetoric? 6. Give examples of things that you have read that are not rhetoric. Explain why they are not rhetoric.
6 Persuasive Writing and Classical Rhetoric 1.2 Henry Review Questions 1. The first two paragraphs serve as Henry s introduction. In these paragraphs, how does Henry try to establish a connection with his audience and make them more willing to listen to what he has to say? 2. In the first two paragraphs, how does Henry prepare his audience for what he has to say? How does he imply that what he has to say might be radical and even treasonous? 3. What is Henry trying to persuade his fellow delegates to do or to believe? 4. What factual evidence does Henry use to build his case against the British? 5. According to Henry, what techniques have been tried but failed to make peace with Britain? 6. What are the counterarguments to taking up arms, and how does Henry refute them?
Workbook 7 7. In the rest of the speech, what arguments does Henry use to persuade his audience that military preparation is necessary? Which seems to be the most convincing to you? 8. Take a close look at the last paragraph. How is it persuasive? Skillful? Artful? 9. What is your favorite line from Liberty or Death? Copy it below.
8 Persuasive Writing and Classical Rhetoric 1.3 Find Rhetoric Exercise Locate three examples of rhetoric and then complete this worksheet: 1. First example of rhetoric: Explain how this communication is persuasive, skillful, and artistic. 2. Second example of rhetoric: Explain how this communication is persuasive, skillful, and artistic.
Workbook 9 3. Third example of rhetoric: Explain how this communication is persuasive, skillful, and artistic.
10 Persuasive Writing and Classical Rhetoric 1.4 Writing Prompt Patrick Henry famously proclaimed, Give me liberty, or give me death! Fill in the blank on this statement: Give me, or give me death! In 500 words, explain why you would rather have death over.
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