Can there be a science of persuasion? It would be hard to deny that the ability to persuade, convince, cajole or win round is one of the most useful skills in human hfe. It is a capacity that shows its importance equally easily in the market, the court, the council chamber and the bedroom. It seems a crucial knack to be mastered by anyone aspiring to influence the private or pubhc activities of men and women, for whatever ends. Yet at the same time it would appear to be - and is so held by popular supposition - not something that can be transmitted from a master to his disciples, not something that can be acquired as the result of a patient period of study, not something that can be rehably achieved by following a rigorous method. ...

With the emergence of democracy in the city-state of Athens in around 460 BC, public speaking became an essential skill for politicians in the Assemblies and Councils - and even for ordinary citizens in the courts of law. In response, the technique of rhetoric rapidly developed,bringing virtuoso performances and a host of practical manuals for the layman. While many of these were little more than collections of debaters' tricks, The Art of Rhetoric held a far deeper purpose. Here Aristotle (384-322 BC) establishes the methods of informal reasoning,provides the first aesthetic evaluation of prose style and offers detailed observations on character and the emotions. Hugely influential upon later Western culture, The Art of Rhetoric is a fascinating consideration of the force of persuasion and sophistry, and a compelling guide to the principles behind oratorical skill.

Hugh Lawson-Tancred's fine translation is accompanied by an introduction that outlines the rise of rhetoric in Athens and sets the work in context. This edition also contains a chronology and updated further reading.

Preface

Introduction

  I. The Importance of Ancient Rhetoric

  2. The Historical Background to the Rhetoric

  3. Rhetoric as Techne

  4. Psychology in the Rhetoric

  5. Style and Composition

  6. The Rhetorical Legacy of Aristotle

  7. The Translation

                 THE ART OF RHETORIC

Section One: Introductory

CHAPTER 1.1. The Nature of Rhetoric

               PART ONE: DEMONSTRATION

Section Two: The Genres of Oratory

CHAPTER 1.2. The Definition of Rhetoric

CHAPTER 1.3. The Genres

Section Three: Deliberation

CHAPTER 1.4. The Province of Deliberation

CHAPTER 1.5. Happiness

CHAPTER 1.6. The Good and the Expedient

CHAPTER 1.7. Relative Expediency

CHAPTER 1.8. Constitutions

Section Four: Display

CHAPTER 1.9. Display Oratory

Section Five: Litigation

CHAPTER 1.10. Injustice

CHAPTER 1.11. Pleasure

CHAPTER 1.12. The Criminal Mind

CHAPTER 1.13. Crime and Punishment

CHAPTER 1.14. Kelatively Serious Crimes

CHAPTER 1.15. Non-technical Proofs

       PARr TWO: EMOTION AND CHARACTER

Section Six: Emotion

CHAPTER 2.1. The Role of Emotion and Character

CHAPTER 2.2. Anger

CHAPTER 2.3. Calm

CHAPTER 2.4. Friendship and Enmity

CHAPTER 2.5. Fear and Confidence

CHAPTER 2.6. Shame

CHAPTER 2.7. Favour

CHAPTER 2.8. Pity

CHAPTER 2.9. Indignation

CHAPTER 2.10. Envy

CHAPTER 2.11. Jealousy

Section Seven: Character

CHAPTER 2.12. Youth

CHAPTER 2.13. Old Age

CHAPTER 2.14. Prime

CHAPTER 2.15. Birth

CHAPTER 2.16. Wealth

CHAPTER 2.17. Power

            PART THREE: UNIVERSAL ASPECTS

Section Eight: Common Topics

CHAPTER 2.18. The Role of Common Topics

CHAPTER 2.19. The Topics of Possibility

CHAPTER 2.20. Example

CHAPTER 2.21. Maxim

CHAPTER 2.22. Enthymeme

CHAPTER 2.23. Demonstrative Common Topics

CHAPTER 2.24. Illusory Topics

CHAPTER 2.25. Refutation

CHAPTER 2.26. Amplification

Section Nine: Style

CHAPTER 3.1. Historical Preliminary

CHAPTER 3.2. Clarity

CHAPTER 3.3. Frigidity

CHAPTER 3.4. Simile

CHAPTER 3.5. Purity

CHAPTER 3.6. Amplitude

CHAPTER 3.7. Propriety

CHAPTER 3.8. Rhythm

CHAPTER 3.9. Syntax

CHAPTER 3.1o. Wit and Metaphor

CHAPTER 3.11. Vividness

CHAPTER 3.12. Suitability to Genre

Section Ten: Composition

CHAPTER 3.13. Narration and Proof

CHAPTER 3.14. The Introduction

CHAPTER 3.15. Prejudice

CHAPTER 3.16. Narration

CHAPTER 3.17. Proof and Refutation

CHAPTER 3.18. Altercation

CHAPTER 3.19. The Epilogue

Notes

Bibliography