Rhetoric and persuasion: understanding enthymemes in the public sphere

The enthymeme has been used and analysed for over two millennia. It is one of the most powerful rhetorical instruments used for the purpose of persuasion, be it through the spoken or written word. This article explores the origins and complexities of the instrument and demonstrates its use and sign...

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Main Author: Murray Faure
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of the Free State 2010-01-01
Series:Acta Academica
Online Access:http://196.255.246.28/index.php/aa/article/view/1237
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author Murray Faure
author_facet Murray Faure
author_sort Murray Faure
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description The enthymeme has been used and analysed for over two millennia. It is one of the most powerful rhetorical instruments used for the purpose of persuasion, be it through the spoken or written word. This article explores the origins and complexities of the instrument and demonstrates its use and significance in the public sphere by analysing style and rhetorical content in the writings of St Paul, Dr Martin Luther King Jnr and President George W Bush. The conclusions suggest that further research into this rhetorical instrument could uncover a layer of understanding of political discourse in the public sphere hitherto not undertaken by local scholars.
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spelling doaj.art-fc6ee6c621284c02b95bc6ace45ac1042024-03-18T11:06:18ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Academica0587-24052415-04792010-01-0142110.38140/aa.v42i1.1237Rhetoric and persuasion: understanding enthymemes in the public sphereMurray Faure0University of South Africa The enthymeme has been used and analysed for over two millennia. It is one of the most powerful rhetorical instruments used for the purpose of persuasion, be it through the spoken or written word. This article explores the origins and complexities of the instrument and demonstrates its use and significance in the public sphere by analysing style and rhetorical content in the writings of St Paul, Dr Martin Luther King Jnr and President George W Bush. The conclusions suggest that further research into this rhetorical instrument could uncover a layer of understanding of political discourse in the public sphere hitherto not undertaken by local scholars. http://196.255.246.28/index.php/aa/article/view/1237
spellingShingle Murray Faure
Rhetoric and persuasion: understanding enthymemes in the public sphere
Acta Academica
title Rhetoric and persuasion: understanding enthymemes in the public sphere
title_full Rhetoric and persuasion: understanding enthymemes in the public sphere
title_fullStr Rhetoric and persuasion: understanding enthymemes in the public sphere
title_full_unstemmed Rhetoric and persuasion: understanding enthymemes in the public sphere
title_short Rhetoric and persuasion: understanding enthymemes in the public sphere
title_sort rhetoric and persuasion understanding enthymemes in the public sphere
url http://196.255.246.28/index.php/aa/article/view/1237
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