Book launch 17 september, 1.15 p.m.
Presentation by Assoc. Prof. Mika Hietanen (LU, Rhetoric) with discussion opened by Prof. Em. Christian Kock (KU, Rhetoric)
Chair Prof. Christina Matthiesen (LU, Rhetoric)
Location a158, SOL (Helgonabacken 12, Lund)
Zoom lu-se.zoom.us/my/santessonsrum
The first 45 min. will be devoted to the presentation and opening of the discussion; followed by coffee and cake. The second 45 min. will consist of discussion until 3 p.m.
Book Classical Rhetorical Argumentation for the Rhetorical Critic (Routledge, 2025, 162 pp.) doi: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003462743
Arranged by Rhetoric and the KOM Seminar at Lund University (https://www.iko.lu.se/en/calendar).
Contact Prof. Anders Sigrell (anders.sigrell@lu.se)
This book offers a reassessment of argumentation in classical rhetoric, foregrounding its rational dimension. Moving beyond introductions, it provides insights from Aristotle, Quintilian, and other ancient thinkers while addressing common misconceptions and offering clarifications that are particularly valuable for the rhetorical critic.
Adopting a Scandinavian rhetorical perspective, this book argues that classical rhetoric offers enduring tools for both the analysis and the construction of persuasive argumentation. By bridging theory and practice, it demonstrates how classical rhetoric remains highly relevant, while also naturally integrating with analyses that focus on classical concepts such as ethos, pathos, or style – whether through neo Aristotelian methods or contemporary approaches rooted in the classical rhetorical tradition. Key concepts are explored in dedicated chapters: the ‘art’ of logos based argumentation is reassessed; enthymeme and epicheireme structures are examined; and topoi and staseis are discussed in relation to their later developments. A chapter on the centenary of rhetorical criticism traces its evolution from Herbert Wichelns (1925) to today, proposing a new template for the rhetorical critic.
This concise yet comprehensive book will interest intermediate and advanced students, as well as scholars of rhetoric, argumentation, persuasion, speech and writing studies, and communication studies.
Table of Contents
1. Rhetorical Argumentation
2. The Logos Proof
3. The Enthymeme
4. The Epicheireme
5. The Topoi
6. The Staseis
7. Evaluating Argumentation
8. Rhetorical Criticism
(Chapter abstracts available online at taylorfrancis.com)
