The Five Canons of Rhetoric

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Deliver a clear message that's honest and compelling.

What comes to mind when you hear the word "rhetoric"? For many people, it conjures up attempts to distort facts, to exaggerate situations, or to bend the truth.

We often read about "empty rhetoric," "fake news" and "spin." And we regularly hear inflated claims about a product or service that fall short in reality.

But there's another side to rhetoric. It's also a way to communicate honestly, with integrity, and in a manner that's easy to grasp. Rhetoric can help you to build trust and rapport with your audience, and it can make your messages, whether written or spoken, memorable for all the right reasons.

In this article, we look at the five building blocks, or "canons," of rhetoric, and explain how you can apply them to your business communication.

What Is Rhetoric?

Rhetoric is the use of "figures of speech," imagery, or evocative language. It's often used to persuade people to come around to your way of thinking by appealing to their emotions....