Response to Boethius

I’d have to admit, I love the medieval times. I can remember of a time when my parents took my brothers and me to Medieval Times for dinner in California. Oh yes, plenty of great memories: knights in armor, jousting, sword fights, romance, and feasting. I would never have thought there was so much emphasis on rhetoric and oration lying in the depths of this time period.  Boethius, a well known Christian Philosopher in the 6^th century believed, “…to philosophize rhetoric by treating it only in the most general way, in a series of definitions that analyze its parts” (487, Bizzel, and Herzberg). Later in the Rhetorical Tradition, Boethius explains how oration is divided into six parts: the introduction or exordium, the argument, the partition, the proof, the refutation, and the peroration.  Throughout the rest of my blog, I will examine these six parts and how and why we still use them today through writing and speech.

Most people would agree that generally in writing, the author is simply attempting to pose an argument or topic, and then defend his argument with concrete evidence or facts.  This is true, but in order to successfully prepare an essay or speech concerning a controversial topic, it is essential to apply Boethius’ six parts of oration.

The first part of oration is the introduction. Like many arguments, an introduction of a paper or speech is a topic that raises an issue, while introducing (keyword) a context and understanding of what you may discuss later. The introduction is one of the most difficult sections of a paper or speech to create because it is the opening statement that should in effect, intrigue the audience.  The second part, argument, is also important because it is essentially the heart of your issue and a thesis is needed to prepare your audience of what will be analyzed in your paper/speech. The third section of oration is the partition. This is my favorite part of delivering an argument because it touches on common assumptions and opinions of people toward my specific topic. The fourth section is the proof, and this is where evidence is implemented to defend your topic and thesis. This is the meat of the paper, and ultimately serves to protect the author’s opinions. Fifth, is refutation, this is where the author is anticipating on coming warrants and argues against them with his final blow. The final section of oration as a rhetorical tool is peroration. Peroration is the conclusion.  In class, we talked about conclusions, and how many people struggle with them.  A well argued conclusion contains closure, therefore summarizes the paper. While also including an extension, or new assertion if you will that leaves the writer thinking.  Overall, Boethius’ six parts of oration is critical in developing a paper or speech.