Rhetoric Alive!

by Alyssan Barnes

A one-semester or yearlong course for students in grades 10-12. Rhetoric Alive! Book 1: Principles of Persuasion, written by Alyssan Barnes, an experienced rhetoric teacher with a PhD in rhetoric, is a clear, compelling, and delightful text on rhetorical theory and practice. The highly engaging Rhetoric Alive! explores the principles of winsome speech as developed in the foremost text on persuasion, Aristotle's Rhetoric. The fifteen chapters of Rhetoric Alive! step through the essential components of persuasion: the three appeals; Ethos (speaker's credibility), Pathos (audience's emotion), and Logos (argument's reasoning), the three types of speech; Deliberative (exhort or dissuade), Ceremonial (praise or blame), Judicial (accuse or defend), and the five canons; Invention, Organization, Style, Memory, Delivery. Each chapter includes an exemplary classic text for analysis and discussion, spanning from Pericles's 'Funeral Oration' to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, 'Letter from Birmingham Jail.' Students also have plenty of practice developing their own rhetorical skill through weekly workshops, imitation assignments, and oratory presentations.

384 pages, Paperback

Published August 22, 2016

Reviews

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This introductory overview of Aristotle's Rhetoric includes original text, followed by the author's interpretation and application for modern day rhetoric students. Most modern rhetoric texts follow the example of Cicero. As the teacher, that background was extremely helpful in understanding this text and in going deeper. The workshops and presentations are often fun ways for students to grapple with and understand the material, making the lessons accessible. Although this book is published by a Christian homeschool curricula company, it is written from a philosophical, not Christian, perspective. There are plenty of opportunities to incorporate biblical truth, but you'll need to bring that yourself.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up for use in teaching rhetoric in our Stoa speech and debate club. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a good introduction to rhetoric whether for a speech and debate club or for homeschool.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, fun activities, full of great discussion texts (from the likes of Plato and Gorgias to MLK Jr. and JFK). Perfect for high school age.

[Carla Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book for teaching and understanding rhetoric ever. I wish I could memorize the whole thing.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this textbook is that it has such a great blend of the practical and philosophical. The material is interesting for my students, but also for me!