“One of the goals of this paper is to try to identify some universal rules of the rhetorical code” (Kennedy 107).

“…rhetorical energy is not found only in language. It is present also in physical actions, facial expressions, gestures, and signs generally. The axiom that rhetoric is a form of energy leads to the first of several theses about rhetoric” (Kennedy 107).

Thesis I: Rhetoric is prior to speech.

Thesis II: The receiver’s interpretation of a communication is prior to the speaker’s intent in determining the meaning.

Thesis III: Rhetoric is prior to intentionality or to any belief on the part of a speaker about the meaning of a sign or its effect on others.

Thesis IV: The function of rhetoric is the survival of the fittest.

Thesis V: The rhetorical code evolves by selective variation.

Thesis VI: Among the traditional parts of rhetoric (invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery), delivery is prior to the others.

Thesis VII: Writing is prior to speech but not prior to rhetoric.

Thesis VIII: Rhetorical invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery are phenomena of nature and prior to speech.

 

The Branches of Oratory, or kinds of discourse in the ancient world
—Deliberative (forensic discourse)-to exhort or dissuade
—Judicial (legislative discourse)-to accuse or defend
—Epideictic (ceremonial or demonstrative discourse)-to praise or blame

 

What do each of these theses mean? Why are they important? Why is the idea of a general rhetoric important? How might or might not it be useful? How does it relate to professional writing?