Topics and Rhetorical Devices

Last week we discussed several elements of classical argumentation (the Invention canon of rhetoric).

Here is a nice collection of some of the classically understood topics (common argument formats; ways of thinking about relationship between data).  Note that the three kinds of persuasion we discussed (forensic (judicial), deliberative, and epideictic (ceremonial)) are also listed here as special topics.  Aristotle noted that there was something unique about how we approached these three ways of conducting arguments; hence, the "special" label.  (If you're looking for the primary source--and it's worth perusing--here's Aristotle's treatment of the topics.  I've linked to the (short) first chapter here, with links following to the other chapters.)

Also, I briefly mentioned that rhetorical devices might be a source for kick-starting deeper analysis.  The wikipedia link on Figures of Speech does a nice job of laying out many of them.  Consider, for instance, synecdoche, in which a part stands in for the whole ("Can you give me a hand?" doesn't really only want a hand...)  How does this shape our understanding of the topic at hand?  Or there's erotama, the technical term for what we often call a rhetorical question.  (Most questions are at least somewhat rhetorical, but for some reason someone decided these were especially so.)

It'd be worth your while to at least click through the lists of topics and devices to get a sense of the richness that close rhetorical analysis can bring to a subject.  I'm curious to hear what you explore!  (And if you find any favorite terms, feel free to comment on them below.)