Theories of rhetoric initially emerged in Greece in the fifth century B.C. with the realization that in a democracy all citizens had a right and duty to participate in their own government. Aristotle's Rhetoric was the first, systematic study of civic discourse. But this classic text has not benefited from a new translation in sixty years. Now, George A. Kennedy, a leading scholar of classics and communications, has provided an up-to-date, lucid translation which will make the Rhetoric as well known--and as accessible--as Aristotle's Poetics. Kennedy's version of On Rhetoric takes into account all of the latest scholarship on Aristotle, using the most reliable texts available, and preserving Aristotle's distinctive style. He eliminates euphemistic and sexist language (which Aristotle did not use), and maintains contradictions which exist in the hand-written, medieval manuscripts (which provide our only access to Aristotle's work). Kennedy's translation also provides the most substantial commentary, and the most extensive notes, of any English version. In his introduction, we learn of the status of rhetoric before Aristotle's treatise (including the work of Socrates, Plato, and Gorgias), receive an account of his life (he tutored the young Macedonian who later became Alexander the Great), and, of course, find a detailed, chapter by chapter account of the text. Kennedy also includes a glossary of Greek rhetorical vocabulary, supplementary texts (by Gorgias, Cicero, and Aristotle himself), and essays on the Rhetoric's composition and on the history of the text after Aristotle. Aristotle's pioneering study of rhetoric remains useful today, whether for composition studies, public speaking, or literary criticism. The proper use of rhetoric is an essential component of the democratic process, and this readable translation will make the art of persuasion available to new generations of citizens and scholars.

On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civil Discourse

Politics & Social Sciences

Kennedy, George A.

Aristotle

Philosophy

Oxford University Press

Rhetoric in fifty years. Based on careful study of the Greek text and informed by the best modern scholarship, it is the most faithful English version ever published of the book that first defined and organized the study of civic discourse along philosophical lines and still shapes the study of rhetoric and composition in modern times. Comprehensive introductory discussions, a detailed outline, extensive notes, and a glossary of Aristotle's rhetorical terms make the work readily accessible to modern students, while an appendix offers translations of relevant ancient texts and essays on the treatise, with an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. This book is essential for students and scholars of rhetoric, classics, politics, and philosophy.

On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse

Comparative Rhetoric is the first book to offer a cross-cultural overview of rhetoric as a universal feature of expression, composition, and communication. It begins with a theory of rhetoric as a form of mental and emotional energy which is transmitted from a speaker or writer to an audience or reader through a speech or text. In the first part of the book, George Kennedy explores analogies to human rhetoric in animal communication, possible rhetorical factors in the origin of human speech, and rhetorical conventions in traditionally oral societies in Australia, the South Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. Topics discussed include forms of reasoning, the function of metaphor, and the forms and uses of formal language. The second part of the book provides an account of rhetoric as understood and practiced in early literate societies in the Near East, China, India, Greece, and Rome, identifying unique or unusual features of Western discourse in comparison to uses elsewhere. The concluding chapter summarizes the results of the study and evaluates the validity of traditional Western rhetorical concepts in describing non-Western rhetoric. Addressing both what is general or common in all rhetorical traditions and what is unique or unusual in the Western tradition, Comparative Rhetoric is ideally suited for courses in rhetoric, rhetoric theory, the history of rhetoric, intercultural communication, linguistic anthropology, and comparative linguistics.

Comparative Rhetoric: An Historical and Cross Cultural Introduction

Social Sciences

Comparative Rhetoric is the first book to offer a cross-cultural overview of rhetoric as a universal feature of expression, composition, and communication. It begins with a theory of rhetoric as a form of mental and emotional energy which is transmitted from a speaker or writer to an audience or reader through a speech or text. In the first part of the book, George Kennedy explores analogies to human rhetoric in animal communication, possible rhetorical factors in the origin of human speech, and rhetorical conventions in traditionally oral societies in Australia, the South Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. Topics discussed include forms of reasoning, the function of metaphor, and the forms and uses of formal language. The second part of the book provides an account of rhetoric as understood and practiced in early literate societies in the Near East, China, India, Greece, and Rome, identifying unique or unusual features of Western discourse in comparison to uses elsewhere. The concluding chapter summarizes the results of the study and evaluates the validity of traditional Western rhetorical concepts in describing non-Western rhetoric. Addressing both what is general or common in all rhetorical traditions and what is unique or unusual in the Western tradition, Comparative Rhetoric is ideally suited for courses in rhetoric, rhetoric theory, the history of rhetoric, intercultural communication, linguistic anthropology, and comparative linguistics.

Comparative Rhetoric: An Historical and Cross-Cultural Introduction

History

World

Review\nPraise for the previous edition:\n"[This book] is much more than a translation; it is a guide to the literature, a mini-commentary, and a do-it-yourself manual to understanding Aristotle. . . . [It] deserves to be the standard translation for decades to come."--Quarterly Journal of Speech\n"George Kennedy has taken on a difficult job--providing a scholarly edition of the Rhetoric that will also serve as a textbook for students--and has succeeded admirably. His introduction gives an excellent overview of Aristotle's work and is a pleasure to read. The chapter-by-chapter outline is 
magnificent."--Erika Lindemann, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill\n"Easy-to-read, trustworthy, and has the added distinction of bringing out more clearly than any other translation the way Aristotle's reasoning works. It will improve the general state of Aristotle studies in the English-speaking world."--Thomas Conley, University of Illinois\n"Kennedy's extensive use of footnotes and careful editing allow students access to Aristotle's writings as few other translations are able to do. This book is a must for any contemporary study of classical rhetorical theory."-James J. Tarbox, Oregon State University

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

This new edition of George A. Kennedy's highly acclaimed translation and commentary offers the most faithful English version ever published of On Rhetoric. Based on careful study of the Greek text and informed by the best modern scholarship, the second edition has been fully revised and updated. As in the first edition, Kennedy makes the work readily accessible to modern students by providing an insightful general introduction, helpful section introductions, a detailed outline, extensive explanatory notes, and a glossary of Aristotle's rhetorical terms. Striving to convey a sense of Aristotle's distinctive way of thinking, Kennedy preserves the meaning and technical language of the original text, explaining it in detail as opposed to simplifying it as other translations do. Updated and expanded in light of recent scholarship, the second edition features: * A revised introduction with two new sections: "The Strengths and Limitations of On Rhetoric" and "Aristotle's Original Audience and His Audience Today" * A more user-friendly format: running heads now include book and chapter numbers * An updated bibliography * Revised appendices that provide translations of new supplementary texts--Socrates' Critique of Sophistic Rhetoric; Lysias' Speech Against the Grain Dealers; two selections from Isocrates (from Against the Sophists and from the Antidosis); selections from Rhetoric for Alexander; and Demosthenes' Third Philippic--and an extensive revision of George A. Kennedy's essay "The Earliest Rhetorical Handbooks"

On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse, 2nd Edition

George Kennedy's three volumes on classical rhetoric have long been regarded as authoritative treatments of the subject. This new volume, an extensive revision and abridgment of The Art of Persuasion in Greece, The Art of Rhetoric in the Roman World, and Greek Rhetoric under Christian Emperors, provides a comprehensive history of classical rhetoric, one that is sure to become a standard for its time.
 Kennedy begins by identifying the rhetorical features of early Greek literature that anticipated the formulation of "metarhetoric," or a theory of rhetoric, in the fifth and fourth centuries b.c.e. and then traces the development of that theory through the Greco-Roman period. He gives an account of the teaching of literary and oral composition in schools, and of Greek and Latin oratory as the primary rhetorical genre. He also discusses the overlapping disciplines of ancient philosophy and religion and their interaction with rhetoric. The result is a broad and engaging history of classical rhetoric that will prove especially useful for students and for others who want an overview of classical rhetoric in condensed form.

A New History of Classical Rhetoric

Princeton University Press

A New History of Classical Rhetoric (Princeton Paperbacks)

History of Rhetoric, Volume II: The Art of Rhetoric in the Roman World 300 B.C.-300 A.D

The description for this book, History of Rhetoric, Volume II: The Art of Rhetoric in the Roman World 300 B.C.-300 A.D, will be forthcoming.

The Description for this book, History of Rhetoric, Volume III: Greek Rhetoric Under Christian Emperors, will be forthcoming.

Greek Rhetoric Under Christian Emperors (History of Rhetoric)

Princeton Univ Pr

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kennedy, George A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Kennedy, George A.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kennedy, George A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civil Discourse

On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse

Comparative Rhetoric: An Historical and Cross Cultural Introduction

Comparative Rhetoric: An Historical and Cross-Cultural Introduction

On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse

On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse, 2nd Edition

A New History of Classical Rhetoric

A New History of Classical Rhetoric (Princeton Paperbacks)

History of Rhetoric, Volume II: The Art of Rhetoric in the Roman World 300 B.C.-300 A.D

Greek Rhetoric Under Christian Emperors (History of Rhetoric)