The Essential Guide to Rhetoric is a useful tool for students who need a brief, topical introduction to the field of rhetoric. This concise book covers both classic and modern rhetorical theory for students and professors who want to gain a further understanding of rhetoric and its practical applications. This guide provides an easy-to-read, jargon-free look at rhetorical theory and how it can be used to supplement an education in communication and public speaking.

This guide and other guides in the Essential Guide series were developed to complement a wide variety of communication texts and course needs, offering instructors flexible options to add additional content or emphasis areas to their courses. The Essential Guides can be purchased on their own, packaged at a discount with other Bedford/St.Martin’s texts, or used as part of a custom option.

Preface
PART 1 Rhetoric in Theory
1. The Rhetorical Tradition
Defining Rhetoric
Rhetoric in Practice
The Origins of Rhetoric
Rhetoric Today
2. Rhetoric and the Audience
The Audience’s Role
Classical Strategies for Thinking about Audiences
Are Audiences Made or Found?
From Audiences to Publics
Adapting to Audiences and Publics
The Role of Language
Ethics, Audiences, and Publics
3. Situations and Speech Types
Aristotle’s Three Types of Speeches
Cicero and the Speaker’s Intent
Looking beyond Classifications
PART 2 Rhetoric in Action
4. Argument and Persuasion
Proofs: Ways of Being Persuasive
Topoi: Tools for Discovering Arguments
Stock Issues
Fallacies
Challenging Traditional Rhetoric’s Focus on Logos
A Rhetorical Vision of Argument
5. Organization
Organizational Patterns
Parts of a Speech
Sample Speech
6. Style
Figures
Tropes
7. Rhetoric in Contemporary Life
Rhetoric and Public Speaking
Rhetoric and Online Communication
Rhetoric and Reasonable Politics
Glossary
Notes
Index