History and Theory of Rhetoric - An Introduction

By tracing the traditional progression of rhetoric from the Greek Sophists to contemporary theorists, this updated eighth edition gives students a conceptual framework for evaluating and practicing persuasive writing and speaking in a wide range of settings, including written, visual, and digital media.
Through an expansive historical purview, the book illustrates how persuasive public discourse performs essential social functions and shapes our societies, drawing on the ideas of many of history's greatest thinkers and theorists. This new edition includes an integrated exploration of non-Western rhetorics, an updated account of contemporary rhetoric, and an enhanced analysis of rhetorical theory in a digital age. Known for its clear writing style and contemporary examples throughout, The History and Theory of Rhetoric emphasizes the relevance of rhetoric to today's students.
This revised edition serves as a core textbook for rhetoric courses in both English and communication programs, covering both the historical tradition of rhetoric and contemporary rhetoric studies.
A suite of online resources, including a detailed instructor's manual, PowerPoint slides, and videos from Dr. Winslow, can be found on the Instructor and Student Resources website at www.routledgelearning.com/historyofrhetoric.
 

List of contents

1. An Overview of Rhetoric 2. The Origins and Early History of Rhetoric 3. Plato versus the Sophists: Rhetoric on Trial 4. Aristotle on Rhetoric 5. Rhetoric at Rome 6. Rhetoric in Christian Europe and North America 7. Rhetoric in the Renaissance 8. Enlightenment Rhetoric 9. Rhetoric and Modernity 10. Rhetoric and Postmodernity 11. Rhetoric in the Twenty-First Century

Product details

• Authors: James A. Herrick, Herrick James A., Luke Winslow, Luke (Baylor University Winslow
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 26.08.2025
• EAN: 9781032816616
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3281661-6
• No. of pages: 366
• Subjects: Guides > Law, job, finance > Training, job, career; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > Other languages / Other literatures; Social sciences, law, business > Media, communication > Communication science; History, Media Studies, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Communication Studies, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Rhetoric, Humanities, Communication Studies, History: specific events and topics, Writing and editing guides, Semantics, discourse analysis, stylistics, Speaking in public: advice and guides