Introduction to Rhetoric

 This course gives students an introduction to the basics of classical rhetoric and oratory. Students will lean the three kinds of rhetorical address, the Five Canons of rhetoric, and the five-fold form of rhetorical arrangement. Class texts will include selections from Roman orator Quintilian’s “The Orator’s Education,” as well as examples drawn from Classical, Medieval, and Modern speeches and writings. Students will put the skills taught by these texts into practice through regular composition of original pieces. Additionally, students will keep a commonplace book where they will reflect on the course texts and build a personal reference library of material for future writing and speaking.

Access to a printer is highly recommended, as annotation of example texts will be integral to class participation.

Jonathan Gray studied English at Hillsdale College in southern Michigan.  After college, he moved to Phoenix, AZ to teach with Great Hearts Academies, a network of public charter schools, and has lived there ever since. During his time in classical education, he has taught Literature, Composition, and History at various grade levels. He currently teaches Ancient and Medieval history and Senior Rhetoric at Cicero Preparatory Academy.

When he is not teaching, he enjoys roughhousing and reading with his two children, discussing books with his wife, hiking, baseball, and listening to jazz LPs.