For the Romans, rhetorical education was paramount to life in the Republic. But rhetoric served many functions before the Caesars rose to power. This lesson details functions of rhetoric from the Roman perspective, in order to help students of rhetoric understand the nuances surrounding the purposes of speaking – not just rhetoric = persuasion.
The three functions for the Romans were:
Docere (to teach)
Delectare (to delight)
Movere (to move, persuade)
Activity:
1. Split class up into small groups, making sure you have multiples of three. (This activity works better if you have between 3-4 students per group. Example: 20 students should be split into 5 or 6 groups.)
2. Assign each group one of the three functions: Docere (to teach), Delectare (to delight), Movere (to move, persuade).
3. Provide one topic for all the groups to discuss. The more timely the better! For example, you might choose the dilemma of Artificial Intelligence and the ethics of a self-driving car in an automobile accident. Or, you might choose to assign the topic of the election.
4. Have students discuss and address where the topic and function meet. Where might we see this function of rhetoric? What are the constraints? What’s the exigence?
5. Bring the group back together and discuss the overlaps and differences. How can the same topic function in all three ways?
See also Genres of Rhetoric