Below are five quotes concerning the historical origins of public speaking that have been gathered from the internet. Based on what you have learned about the research process from your library orientation, let's see if we can determine the credibility of the sources that provided this information. First, carefully read the quote itself. Is there anything about the phrasing or formatting of the quote that provides clues about its credibility? Next, click on the "Source" link that will take you to the site from which the information came. Try to determine what type of source it is by looking for an "about" button that provides information about the individual or organization that published the information. Does the article have a particular author? If so, look for information about the author's qualifications and background to assess his or her credibility.
1. Where did the public speaking begin?
“Although there is evidence of public speech training in ancient Egypt,[4] the first known piece[5] on oratory, written over 2,000 years ago, came from ancient Greece. This work elaborated on principles drawn from the practices and experiences of ancient Greek orators.”
2. Why was the study of public speaking important to the Ancient Greeks?
“Many historians credit the ancient city-state of Athens as the birthplace of classical rhetoric. Because Athenian democracy marshaled every free male into politics, every Athenian man had to be ready to stand in the Assembly and speak to persuade his countrymen to vote for or against a particular piece of legislation. A man’s success and influence in ancient Athens depended on his rhetorical ability. Consequently, small schools dedicated to teaching rhetoric began to form.”
3. What is rhetoric?
“Thomas Cole has argued that "rhetoric" is the product of two fourth-century phenomena, both associated with Plato and his school…. In this account, "rhetoric" originally meant "a speaker's or writer's self-conscious manipulation of his medium with a view to ensuring his message as favorable a reception as possible on the part of the particular audience being addressed" (ix).”
4. What was Plato’s Academy?
“Τhe Platonic Academy, or simply,”The Academy”, was a famous school in ancient Athens founded by Plato in 428/427 BC and located a couple of miles outside the ancient city named Akademeia, after the legendary hero, Akademos….. The Academy was not an educational institution as we know it in modern times, but because it had the characteristics of a school and covered a wide variety of topics such as philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, politics, physics and more, it is considered to be the first University in the entire world.”
5. Was rhetoric taught in Plato’s Academy?
Aristotle (384-322 BCE) is the most famous Greek Scholar. Aristotle studied in Plato’s Academy where he later taught public speaking until Plato’s death in 347 BCE. During this time, he opened his own school of politics, science, philosophy, and rhetoric. Aristotle defined rhetoric as the “faculty of discovering the possible means of persuasion in reference to any subject whatever.” Aristotle divided the “means of persuasion” into three parts, or three artistic proofs, necessary to persuade others: logical reason (logos), human character (ethos), and emotional appeal (pathos).”