Conceived and theorized by Cicero, the five Canons of Rhetoric are an important way to think through the ways in which rhetoric functions in the world. The five canons: invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery categorize ways of analyzing a speech, but also provide ways of organizing one. Together, the canons present a comprehensive lesson in rhetorical thought, but scholars also engage with the canons individually.
On this page you’ll find two types of resources:
- A table explaining the canons, that can be included in a lesson plan looking at the aggregate
- Resources for teaching the canons individually
In both cases, use the resources to fit your needs!
The Five Canons of Rhetoric Chart
Lessons and Scholarship Based in the Canons of Rhetoric