BOOOOOOM !

1. BOOOOOOM!

2. Inventio, Dispositio, Elocutio, Memoria, Pronuntatio Five Canons

3. Canons go boom. • The Five Canons of Rhetoric constitute a system and guide on crafting powerful speeches and writing. • Developed by Roman orators (that’s why everything’s in Latin). • Whether you are a small business owner trying to brand your company, a college student trying to get an “A” on your next paper, a working professional required to email and make presentations, or a volunteer at your church who is often asked to design flyers, you’ll want to be aware of the rhetorical choices you are making that influence others’ perception of you and your communication piece(s). Sure, it can be overwhelming to think about all your options, but it’s the minutia, all the little tiny details added up, that count. Every nuance in a communication piece changes perception. • We’ll be using it as we move out of rhetorical analysis and move into argumentative writing.

4. Inventio (invention) • Process of developing and refining your argument • Find arguments to support a point of view. • Inventio is a system for finding those arguments; i.e., coming up with something to say. • Some choices involve: • Logos • Pathos • Ethos

5. Dispositio (arrangement) Divided into six parts. These are very useful in effectively organizing your arguments; therefore, you probably recognize this system. Exordium: introduction Narratio: Statement of the case under discussion Divisio: Outline of the points or steps to be covered in the argument Confirmatio: The proof of the argument Confutatio: Refutation of the opponents arguments Peroratio: Conclusion When scoring your peer, consider the following: Is their proof appropriate? Did they successfully demonstrate their claim? Did they prove their claim? Did they give enough background on their topic? Was their delivery appropriate for their audience?

6. Elocutio (style) • What figures of speech/style will you use? • This canon involved the same kinds of things we study as style today. • Levels of style: Formal or informal? High or low? Based on audience. • Syntax and diction and tropes and schemes all fall under elocutio.

7. Memoria (memorization) • We are not especially concerned with these techniques, since most of the argumentation you do will be in writing. However, what we can recall from memory about an issue or topic can aid us in responding to AP Exam prompts, and our preparation for this aspect of argument will be important.

8. Pronuntatio (delivery) • The Romans were also taught how to gesture and manage their voices. They learned specific rules and principles that all good orators were expected to know and use. Today this canon refers to the medium in which the argument is delivered: spoken, written, visual, etc., and the unique characteristics of each.

9. Activity Using this information, outline an essay in response to the following prompt. • His versatility makes Joss Whedon one of the greatest directors of our age. His 2013 production of Much Ado About Nothing is a “Shakespearean adaptation that’s hard to resist,” showing his ability to engage with a high-brow audience (Rotten Tomatoes). While, his television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly have gained “cult followings” (IMDB). His ability to delight fans across classical, science fiction, and fantasy genres show that he his a director with a keen eye for performance and for what audiences enjoy.In this excerpt, Winston Churchill’s describes the process of painting. It can be applied by anyone approaching a daunting task. Take a position on the value of attempting difficult tasks, particularly when there is a possibility that “you will never get to the end.” Support your position with personal experiences, observations, readings, and history. Consider inventio, dispositioand elocutioas you write your outline.