Advances in the History of Rhetoric May 2016

Quintilian and Modern Writing

James J. Murphy University of California, Davis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Quintilian makes writing one of the four interrelating elements (with reading, speaking, and listening) to be used in producing in his “perfect orator” what he calls “habit” (hexis), or the facility of being able to write or speak well on any subject. It requires constant study over time, requires organization, and is reinforced by constant practice. His practical observations on writing may well have value for us in modern times.

Journal
Advances in the History of Rhetoric
Published
2016-05-03
DOI
10.1080/15362426.2016.1182406
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Topics
classical rhetoric
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References (14)

  1. Bonellus (1962)
    Lexicon Quintilianeum
  2. Crowley (2009)
    Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students
  3. López (2007)
    A Companion to Roman Rhetoric
     ↗
  4. Elbow (1973)
    Writing without Teachers
  5. ——— (2015)
    Ed. Landmark Essays on Speech and Writing
Show all 14 →
  1. Kasper (2005)
    Education Reform 1983–1994: New Ideas or the Rebirth of Quintilian’s Ideologies?
    American Educational History Journal
  2. Mailloux (2013)
    A Good Person Speaking Well: Eloquentia perfecta in U.S. Jesuit Colleges; A Brief Genealogy
    Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education
  3. McCutcheon (2015)
    Silent Reading in Antiquity and the Future of the Book
    Book History  ↗
  4. (2014)
    “The Mt. Oread Manifesto on Rhetorical Education 2013
    Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  5. Murphy (1989)
    Writing on the Edge
  6. ——— (2003)
    “Quintilian’s Advice on the Continuing Education of the Adult Orator: Book X of the Insti…
  7. ——— (1982)
    Ed. The Rhetorical Tradition and Modern Writing
  8. Murphy (2016)
    Quintilian on the Teaching of Speaking and Writing: Translations of Books One, Two, and T…
  9. (2001)
    Quintilian. The Orator’s Education. Ed. and trans. Donald A. Russell. 5 vols. Loeb Classi…
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