Elements of Rhetoric

Book excerpt: First published in 1828, this classic text was one of the most influential in the history of rhetoric. Through successive editions, Elements became increasingly geared to the needs and uses of the classroom and so, this seventh edition is still valuable to contemporary students. Whately saw this work as a textbook, and thus focused on the practical rather than the theoretical, writing with the problems of the teacher and learner in mind. Direct, comprehensive, clearly organized and well illustrated, the Elements has admirably served to fulfill its assigned role for students whom Whately called the 'unpracticed.' But does it still have a role in 21st century argumentation? As one contemporary student noted: I felt I was finally being shown the tools for how to use rhetoric rather [than] being subjected to abstract arguments concerning it."