As we talked about in class today, it is important to learn classical rhetoric in order to teach writing. As Williams states on page 52, "A Theory of Discourse suggested that anyone who would be serious about composition needed to go back to the roots and study the classics, particularly Aristotle, and it provided a historical and theoretical rationale for viewing composition as part of a rhetorical tradition 2,500 years old.
Do you believe that to be "serious" at composition that you must be familiar and possibly even expert at classical rhetoric?
What good can come of studying classical rhetoric as a teacher of writing? Could there be any drawbacks?
"Classical rhetoric had been pragmatic and closely tied to concerns of audience, but these features had disappeared from composition; student essays were school exercises that generally focused on literary ananlysis." Do you agree that the important features like; ethos, logos, pathos, audience, and the canons of rhetoric disappeared from out work for a while? If so, can you think of examples? Possibly classroom exercises from when you were younger.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think that individuals must have a solid understanding of classical rhetoric in order to enhance their writing skills. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he/she must be an expert... but I do feel that it's very important to understand how composition and the current writing process are intertwined.
ReplyDeleteI think this leads into your second question, as well. By studying classical rhetoric, individuals can reflect upon various theories and ideas of great rhetoricians.