Lost Tools of Writing 3 - Classical Rhetoric with Homer

Students in The Lost Tools of writing III will direct their attention this year to future actions by writing deliberative addresses about the proper decisions that Homer's characters should make. In Levels 1 and 2 of The Lost Tools of Writing, students examined the past actions of literary characters to decide whether those actions were right and whether the characters should be punished or admonished for their actions. In LTW III, students will imaginatively enter into the worlds of Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey. They will then assume a perspective, find a necessary question, generate an issue, and attempt to persuade an audience (a decision-maker) to act: either to implement a change (the proposal) or to maintain the status quo. To do so, students will need to get to know their audience and present the advantages and disadvantages of a future action by considering honor and utility.

As always, students will develop their argument through invention, using the common topics they have already learned, plus the special topics that apply to a deliberative address.In addition, they will add three new powerful tools to their rhetorical toolbox: the modes of persuasion, the four causes, and analogical reason.

The beauty of this program is that the ideas considered in the course will not only help students attain academic rhetorical fluency.; this course will teach them principles to help them make wise future decisions in their own personal lives.

Prerequisites: Completion of The Lost Tools of Writing Level 1 and Level 2.

Course Objectives: Identify an issue from a necessary question.1.
Select an audience (the decision-maker)1.
Identify the situation, your perspective, the proposed action, and the status quo1.
Complete the ANI chart using the common topics, four causes, and analogies.1.
Sort the ANI, choose your side, and state your thesis.1.
Outline a deliberative address exordium, narratio, proofs, refutation, and amplification.1.
Examine your premises and enthymemes.1.
Learn to write coherent sentences, cohesive paragraphs, transitional sentences, and ten new elocution schmes and tropes..1.
Texts:
The Lost Tools of Writing III student workbook, published by The CiRCE Instiute-
Black Ships Before Troy by Rosemary Sutcliff-
The Wanderings of Odysseus by Rosemary Sutcliff-
The Iliad by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles-
The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Rober Fagles-