Written Communication Apr 1984

The Rhetoric of Explanation: Explanatory Rhetoric from Aristotle to 1850

ROBERT J. CONNORS

Abstract

Most rhetorical history has concerned itself with the theory of argumentative discourse as it developed from classical to modern times. This essay traces a parallel but much less investigated strand of rhetorical history: the theory and practice of explanation. The slow growth of a body of knowledge about how information could best be communicated without necessary reference to overt persuasion is followed from Aristotle's Rhetoric through the beginnings of a theory of written discourse in the American nineteenth century. A later continuation of this essay will trace explanatory rhetoric into modern times.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
1984-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088384001002002
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
classical rhetoric rhetorical criticism discourse analysis argument archival research
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. ROWAN (1990)
    Cognitive Correlates of Explanatory Writing Skill: An Analysis of Individual Di…
    Written Communication
  2. ROWAN (1988)
    A Contemporary Theory of Explanatory Writing
    Written Communication

References (21)

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  2. Augustine
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    Selected works of Sir Francis Bacon
  4. Blair, H.
    Lectures on rhetoric and belles lettres
  5. Boyd, J.
    Elements of rhetoric and literary criticism
Show all 21 →
  1. Campbell, G.
    Lectures on systematic theology and pulpit eloquence
  2. Campbell, G.
    The philosophy of rhetoric
  3. Hirsch, E. D., Jr.
    The philosophy of composition
  4. Holmes, J.
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  5. Howell, W. S.
    Eighteenth century British logic and rhetoric
  6. Jaudan, D.
    The union grammar
  7. Locke, J.
    An essay concerning human understanding
  8. Newman, S. P.
    A practical system of rhetoric
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     ↗
  10. Rippingham, J.
    Rules for English composition, and particularly for themes
  11. Rudolph, F.
    The American college and university: a history
  12. Russell, W.
    A grammar of composition
  13. Smith, A.
    Lectures on rhetoric and belles lettres
     ↗
  14. Sprat, T.
    The history of the Royal Society of London
  15. Walker, J.
    The teacher's assistant in English composition
  16. Whatley, R.
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CrossRef global citation count: 5 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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