Rhetorical Pedagogy: progymnasmata

progymnasmata

pro-gym-nas'-ma-ta	from Gk. pro "before" and gymnasmata "exercises" *praeexercitamina*
Rhetorical Pedagogy: Rhetorical Exercises

A set of rudimentary exercises intended to prepare students of rhetoric for the creation and performance of complete practice orations (gymnasmata or declamations). A crucial component of classical and renaissance rhetorical pedagogy. Many progymnasmata exercises correlate directly with the parts of a classical oration.

The 14 Progymnasmata

Similar progymnasmata are grouped together. The exercises are in general sequential.

Related Figures

See Also

Rhetorical Pedagogy
- Rhetorical Exercises
General Rhetorical Strategy: Amplification
Arrangement
- Compare the progymnasma "narrative" with narratio
- Compare the progymnasma "refutation" with refutatio
- Compare the progymnasma "confirmation" with confirmatio

Internet Resources

Online English translations of the progymnasmata of Aphthonius and of Libanius

Sources:

Ad Alexandrum 1436a26; Theon; Aphthonius; Hermogenes; Quintilian ("primae exercitationes"); Richard Rainolde (1563)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Gideon O. Burton, Brigham Young University
Please cite "Silva Rhetoricae" (rhetoric.byu.edu)