Institutes of Oratory

only speaks and teaches: but in the demonstrative genre The branch of rhetoric used for praise or blame, also called epideictic. there is additionally a need for proofs, because, as will be shown in its proper place Chapter 6 of this book., there is also a certain issue original: "status," the central point of contention in a case. of the speech in this genre. Even more in the demonstrative genre than in a simple theme, the emotional element original: "τὸ παθητικὸν", amplifications, and the brilliant lights of words and thoughts have their place. Therefore, just as one who knows how to bend a bow will unbend it with no trouble: so one who has drunk in the precepts of the demonstrative genre will not refuse a simple theme, which stands at no small distance from the perfection of the former. And these things conclude the discussion regarding the subject matter of Rhetoric.

III. ON THE PARTS OF RHETORIC.

The next step is for us to look at the things arranged for persuasion. First, we will present an overview of them, both because this path prepares our way for the division of Rhetoric; and because it is a pleasure to have surveyed the armories and the arrangement original: "οἰκονομίαν" of this discipline in a single glance. To persuade, therefore, the Orator must teach, win over, and stir the listener. But that is done by the speech, as if by an instrument; or by speaking well, which is the immediate end of the instrument. To speak well, however, there is need for Invention, Arrangement, Style, and Delivery. For the things that assist Memory belong to a distinct art, which is called Mnemonics original: "Μνημονευτικὴ". Therefore, although the Orator speaks from memory, Aristotle and other ancient rhetoricians rightly passed over memory as a part of the art itself.

Moreover, between the ultimate end of Rhetoric and the way and method, or, as we commonly say, the means destined for it, there is a chain of this sort: the Orator invents things; he arranges what has been found; he adorns what is arranged with the lights of words and thoughts; he delivers what is adorned from memory and with fittingness; and he does this so that he may speak well. He speaks well, however, so that he may teach, win over, and stir the listener. Cicero, On the Orator, Book 2. From these, the first requires the sharpness of the Orator, the second requires mildness, and the third requires force: the first is a duty, the second is a courtesy, and the third is a necessity. Indeed, he strives to win over, teach, and stir in order to persuade; which is the first thing in one's intention, and the last thing to be achieved.

From this it is clear that Rhetoric is rightly distributed into four members, according to the four parts of the Orator’s duty: Invention, Arrangement, Style, and Delivery; which to the Greeks are Heuresis, Taxis or Oikonomia, Lexis or Hermeneia, and Hypokrisis. original: "Εὕρεσις, Τάξις sive Οἰκονομία, Λέξις seu Ἑρμηνεία, & Ὑπόκρισις"

And these indeed are the principal headings of those things which, as I said, I have explained at length in my individual book on the nature of Rhetoric. Now let us take ourselves into the inner sanctuaries of the art itself.