Fridays are for Rhetoric!
12/29/17
Quintilian, and J.S. Watson. Institutes of Oratory.Edited by Lee Honeycutt, 2010. Kindle Electronic Edition. Book VII Chapter 1.
Arrangement in rhetoric is the distribution of the component parts of a case into an order which makes a coherent whole (Quintilian VII.1.1). The arrangement may lead to various conclusions, so prosecution and defense will often approach the facts in a different order (Quintilian VII.1.2).
To prepare for a case Quintilian would establish the facts and consider carefully both sides of the case (Quintilian VII.1.4). He would then step through the likely case of each side in order.
As to arrangements of an accusation, most rhetoricians agree the strongest arguments should be made last and the weakest in the middle (Quintilian VII.1.10). For the defense, the strongest accusation needs to be attacked first (Quintilian VII.1.11).
The various issues of the case give shape to the speech. Quintilian considers the case to include whether it is a question of fact or law, if it can be denied or justified, and what the intent of the law or the deed is (Quintilian VII.1.13). Some of the points of a case are nonessential and should not be disputed too vigorously, as the case can be decided regardless (Quintilian VII.1.18). Identifying the point on which all the case depends is essential.
Quintilian also recommends careful analysis of the points of agreement with an opponent. This allows further pursuit of an opponent in well-known territory (Quintilian VII.1.29). The more complex the case, the more careful analysis is needed, but all cases can eventually be understood (Quintilian VII.1.40). The chapter concludes with a lengthy example of a case of inheritance.
12/29/17
Quintilian, and J.S. Watson. Institutes of Oratory.Edited by Lee Honeycutt, 2010. Kindle Electronic Edition. Book VII Chapter 1.
Arrangement in rhetoric is the distribution of the component parts of a case into an order which makes a coherent whole (Quintilian VII.1.1). The arrangement may lead to various conclusions, so prosecution and defense will often approach the facts in a different order (Quintilian VII.1.2).
To prepare for a case Quintilian would establish the facts and consider carefully both sides of the case (Quintilian VII.1.4). He would then step through the likely case of each side in order.
As to arrangements of an accusation, most rhetoricians agree the strongest arguments should be made last and the weakest in the middle (Quintilian VII.1.10). For the defense, the strongest accusation needs to be attacked first (Quintilian VII.1.11).
The various issues of the case give shape to the speech. Quintilian considers the case to include whether it is a question of fact or law, if it can be denied or justified, and what the intent of the law or the deed is (Quintilian VII.1.13). Some of the points of a case are nonessential and should not be disputed too vigorously, as the case can be decided regardless (Quintilian VII.1.18). Identifying the point on which all the case depends is essential.
Quintilian also recommends careful analysis of the points of agreement with an opponent. This allows further pursuit of an opponent in well-known territory (Quintilian VII.1.29). The more complex the case, the more careful analysis is needed, but all cases can eventually be understood (Quintilian VII.1.40). The chapter concludes with a lengthy example of a case of inheritance.
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