Chapter three is titled “Composing Arguments” and still discusses the different aspects of rhetoric, but adds in what scholars call the canons of rhetoric. The canons of rhetoric are the principles by which all writing, speaking, or visual arguments operate. These include invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. Each of these canons is necessary for persuasive communication. This kind of communication can be through spoken word, written discourse, or multimedia texts.
Invention deals with creating and constructing ideas. Aristotle defined invention as methods for “finding all available arguments.” To develop ideas, you can differentiate which rhetorical strategy you want to use. You can use pathos, ethos, or logos in order to reason with your readers or listeners. The book stated that my task as a writer is to forge a powerful text that argues a point in order to convince others to see my own particular perspective.
Arrangement deals with ordering and laying out ideas effectively. After invention, arrangement becomes your key consideration because the way in which you present material on the page will shape a reader’s response to the ideas that you created. Some common organizational strategies you might use are chronological structure, cause-effect, problem-solution, block structure, thematic structure, or deferred thesis.
Style deals with developing the appropriate expression for those ideas. These choices include language, tone, syntax, rhetorical appeals, metaphors, imagery, quotations, and level of emphasis.
Memory deals with retaining invented ideas, recalling additional supporting ideas, and enabling memory in the audience. This canon usually gets the least emphasis throughout writing.
Delivery deals with presenting or performing ideas with the aim of persuading. It is simply how something is being said. Knowing how to use the canon of delivery can potentially aid a speaker establish ethos with his or her audience.
I particularly liked this section of the chapter, because I can see how these canons will be useful to me while I am writing my rhetorical analysis.
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