VI.   Argument

Rhetoric is the knowledgeable use of the properties, methods and types of public speech to persuade others through oral argument. Of all the tools of argument, Rhetoric is the most powerful precisely because it can be the most persuasive.

The word Rhetoric originates from the Ancient Greek word pητορική (rhētorikē) meaning “concerning public speech”.

Rhetoric differs from generalized techniques of public speaking in that it specifically concerns the ability to present the optimum methods and skills of oral argument at the appropriate location, time and manner for the purpose of persuasion; whereas a well executed public speech in itself may not itself address such a specific goal.

All forms of public oration under Rhetoric may be defined by five (5) generalized properties being Reason, Purpose, Conditions, Propositions and Constraints:

(i) Reason is the reason, event, occasion for a public oration that expresses its context; and

(ii) Purpose is the objective(s), goal(s) of the orator in making the oration, which implies some optimum form sought to meet such objective(s); and

(iii) Conditions are the practical conditions to which the public oration will be addressed including the audience, recent events, knowledge and opinions of the orator; and

(iv) Constraints are the physical and sensitivity constraints placed on any oration including time, length, subjects considered taboo and not to be mentioned; and

(v) Propositions are the proposed physical points and contents of the oration.

All forms of public oration under Rhetoric may be defined by six (6) generalized methods being Kudos, Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Tempos and Dynamos:

(i) Kudos is the qualities of name, recognition and renown of the speaker; and

(ii) Ethos is the qualities of character, values and ethics of the speaker; and

(iii) Pathos is the qualities of audience empathy and emotional connection between a speaker and their intended audience; and

(iv) Logos is the qualities of a relevant narrative, engaging topic and reasonable argument used by a speaker to their intended audience

(v) Tempos is the qualities of the frequency or rate of words and phrases spoken in speech, therefore its “timing”; and

(vi) Dynamos is the qualities of energy level or power within the voice at different stages of a speech in contrast to the rate (tempo) of speech.

All forms of public oration under Rhetoric may be defined by seven (7) generalized types being Monologue, Dialogue, Prologue, Epilogue, Catalogue, Analogue and Ideologue:

(i) Monologue is a form of speech characterized by a long speech by one (1) person without interruption; and

(ii) Dialogue is a form of speech characterized by a spoken conversation between two (2) or more individuals; and

(iii) Prologue is a form of speech characterized as an introduction to some longer formal oratory event; and

(iv) Epilogue is a form of speech characterized as occurring at the audience at the conclusion of an event; and

(v) Catalogue is a form of speech characterized by the completeitemizing of elements of an argument, often using the techniques of logic ordialectic to prove certain inferences in a forensic manner; and

(vi) Analogue is a form of speech characterized by the use of forensic questions and the subsequent answers to validate an argument in a methodical manner; and

(vii) Ideologue is a form of speech characterized by the expert knowledge and competence of the speaker providing specific knowledge on a topic, idea or belief.