A frivolous argument or inflated claim is often dismissed with the reply, "That's just rhetoric!" But as Scott Crider explains in The Office of Assertion, the classical tradition of rhetoric is both a productive and a liberal art. The ability to employ rhetoric successfully can enable the student, as an effective communicator, to reflect qualities of soul through argument. In that sense, rhetoric is much more than a technical skill. Crider addresses the intelligent university student with respect and humor. This short but serious book is informed by both the ancient rhetorical tradition and recent discoveries concerning the writing process. Though practical, it is not simply a "how-to" manual; though philosophical, it never loses sight of writing itself. Crider combines practical guidance about how to improve an academic essay with reflection on the final purposes --educational, political, and philosophical--of such improvement. -- Book Description.
Book Details
Format
Paperback
ISBN-10
1932236457
ISBN-13
9781932236453
Publication Date
May 2005
Item Weight
2.31 pounds
Length
7.24 inch
Width
5.00 inch
Height
0.59 inch
First Sentence
[1.1] "Rhetoric" is a term of abuse, of course: Immediately after someone has distorted the truth during an interview on television, for example, the journalist will comment, "We know that was just rhetoric."
