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last.updated 6.7.09

Style

Purpose

Style, the canon rhetors use for choosing the signs they will use to present their message, has throughout history been the primary canon associated with rhetoric. Arguably applied rhetoric courses, such as composition courses, have also focused primarily on style. Today we will examine how style has been perceived and discuss how important it is, and should be, addressed in the application of rhetoric.

Discussion–More than Making It Look Good

As a class, we will address the following questions...

• What questions do you have about the readings?
• Describe Aristotle's approach to style. What does he value? discourage? How does he justify these approaches? How does this connect to what we currently call delivery?
• In what ways is Blair's principles of style a repeat of Aristotle's? Which principles are more emphasized by Blair or a departure from Aristotle? What are Blair's principles of perspicuity and precision? figurative language? Do there seem to be contradictions between his discussion of these principles? If so, how does he reconcile these? What advice does he give for executing his principles?
• According to Micciche, what is rhetorical grammar? Why is this approach to grammar better/more emancipatory than traditional approaches to teaching grammar?

Activity II–Evaluating Style

In groups of three you will...

• Read through a student essay thinking the student's use of style
• Each group will be assigned to adopt the persona of a specific professor–Dr. A(ristotle), Dr. Blair, or Dr. Micciche. Using the readings from today, think about how you–as this professor–would respond to this student.
• As a group compose a response to this student–as the assigned professor–using the respective theory to explain what you want this student to do on a revision and what he should focus on when composing future essays.

Be prepared to share your advice with the class. You will have forty-five minutes to work on this.