The Five Canons of Rhetoric

1. The Five Canons of Rhetoric • Invention: Brainstorm/Pre-write • Arrangement: Particular order, a set pattern. • Style: Grammatically correct, clear and appropriate for their subject and audience. • Examples: Every anecdote/fact/allusion comes from memory, or that which you have learned. • Delivery: Essay (non-negotiable)

2. The Open Prompt: Rogerian Argument • Introduce the Issue • Summary of Opposing View • Statement of Understanding and Exploration of Common Ground • Establish Position with Contexts and Conditions • Statement of Context • Statement of Benefits and Conclusion

3. Introduce the Issue • Presenting your issue as objectively and fairly as possible • Providing any necessary background, definition or history • Avoid inflammatory or judgmental terms

4. Summary of Opposing Views • Acknowledging the opposition • Gives value • Shows neither side is 100% correct • (similar to a concession- Toulmin)

5. Statement of Understanding and Exploration of Common Ground • Begin by assuming your reader disagrees • Perhaps try restating points of view to focus on the similarities • State the opposing points of view fairly and objectively: respect!

6. Establish Position with Contexts and Conditions • In the body the writer gives an objective statement about their position • Avoid loaded/aggressive language • Explain the contexts where your position is valid, and explores how it differs from the opposition • Gun registration example

7. Statement of Context • Similar to the statement of understanding in which you describe situations in which you would share the oppositions point of view

8. Statement of Benefits and Conclusion • You finally present your thesis! • Phrased in a way that shows your reader that you’ve made some concessions toward the oppositional position • As you concede, it invites the audience to concede as well • Can ask yourself if you’ve offered a solution that encourages cooperation and compromise