EDF 1005- Reflection 16

I remember always having to practice writing persuasive essays when I was in middle school and in high school. It was mostly preparation for FCAT. I never realized that they never used the term “rhetoric” to describe the style of the essay until just now, of course. Rhetoric is the art of using language effectively to persuade. This form of speech was taught to public speakers so they can give their audience persuasive speeches in order to influence the thought and conduct of their audience. It was also taught to writers. I think rhetoric can be used just about in any situation. Children use it all the time when trying to convince their parents of purchasing them something or allowing them to do something. It can be greatly used for political purposes when trying to win a campaign, or as a lawyer defending a client in court. Socrates and Plato were some of the earliest to perfect this method of persuasive speech. Rhetoric is related to Roman education because it was considered to be an essential subject to be taught to these young men. Their assignments consisted of different topics and class discussions, and a speech. Cicero and Quintilian are some examples of famous rhetoricians that came from ancient Rome. Cicero wrote letters and speeches with an array of styles and left them for us to use by example of good rhetoric writing. Quintilian worked in court and was placed in a more advanced level because of his knowledge. The teachers that taught this style in Roman schools were called rhetors. They showed their students how to give speeches on any given topic and how to debate and defend your argument to their fullest potential. The people of ancient Rome were fascinated by this technique of persuasion. They were rightfully fascinated because their emphasis on this style has made it popular enough to still be used today and I am sure for more generations to come. We sometimes use this technique without even mentioning it. For instance, when trying to convince a teacher to give us a better grade or some extra credit. When we do this without preparations or realizing that we are using persuasive language and tones of voice, it seems as if it is just a natural human thing to try to get people to understand our point of view. We all want to be understood and have people in our lives with common interests. Sometimes when the person we want in our life has no common interests, we tend to convince them to think otherwise. Their speeches and exhibitions were often presented in front of their neighbors and proud parents. Every once in a while exclusive and very persuasive students presented their writings and speeches to the emperor. I wonder if these students were master minds at getting their way with their parents.