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last.updated 9.11.05

 

Delivery

Purpose

With today's lesson we move into the second unit of the course in which we examine how the presentation of a "text" (i.e., delivery, style, arrangement) influence its rhetorical effectivness. We will begin by focusing on delivery, or the means in which the message gets from the rhetor to the audience.

In our discussion we will examine many aspects of delivery by returning to Lebert's discussion about the challenges of digital delivery and juxtaposing this with Aristotle's and St. Augustine's conception of delivery–from an age that was not only pre-digital, but pre-printing press. Thus we will critically examine which aspects of delivery are still valuable for studying rhetoric in the Information Age.

Background

Roman Rhetoric

  • Influential well into 1700 BCE
  • Adapted Greek rhetoric for their own civic culture
  • Foundation
    • Rhetorica ad Herennium
    • Cicero's corpus
    • Quintilian's Institutio oratoria
  • Covered both oratory and writing
  • Students learned rhetoric through imitation and were expected to master grammar first
  • Used topics as a checklist
    • Epicheireme: proposition, reason, proof, embellishment, resume
  • Style: grand, middle, plain (seen in Augustine)
  • Delivery: physical prowess; becomes the primary canon of rhetoric–the art of speaking

St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo

  • 354-430 CE; born near Carthage
  • educated & baptized in Milan
  • In 388 returned to Africa & founded Hippo monastery
  • In 395 appointed bishop
  • Supports pagan rhetorics
  • Tropes help us explain God's Word

Presentation

Gretchen, Betty, Ben

Discussion

  • What are characteristics of Aristotle's description of delivery? How does this compare to St. Augustine's?
  • Eloquence: (Delivery) "to speak, utter, express" or "effective public address" What is the relationship between language and thought
    • menbrum: Roughly equivalent to "clause" in English, except that the emphasis is on seeing this part of a sentence as needing completion, either with a second membrum (or colon) or with two others forming a tricolon. When membra (or cola) are of equal length, they form isocolon.
  • What are the subdued manner, the moderate manner, and the grand manner?
  • What is Augustine understanding of invention and how is this connected to eloquence?
  • (How) would/could Aristotle's and Augustine's rhetorical notions of delivery transfer to a written text?
  • In a sentence or two how might we use Lebert's understanding of delivery to revise or rethink delivery in the Information Age?

Activity

As a class we will view John Roberts's opening statements on September 12, 2005 to the Senate Judiciary Committee on his nominee as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. As we watch his statement, pay attention to his delivery and the discussion that we have had about the evolution of delivery.

We will discuss:

  • As an oral presentation, how was Roberts' delivery? How would Aristotle and Augustine evalaute his opening statement?
  • How might the fact that Robert's' speech was internationally broadcast and has been digitally archived shape his rhetorical decisions? What might have been different if the sessions were closed-door and the public's only access to his statement were written transcripts of his speech and reporters' summaries and opinions?
  • How does Roberts' delivery affect his ethical or pathetic appeals? Or vice versa?

Disclaimer

I recognize that the subject matter that I have asked you to discuss is fairly sensitive and evokes some very strong opinions. However I have deliberately chosen this subject matter due to its timeliness and relevance to current rhetorical practices. While I am certain that you have opinions on the subject matter being discussed, please respect your peers, as well as the subject matter being discussed. I hope by the end of this activity we will come to understand new strategies for civilly discussing political and ideological differences in productive ways.